The USGS National Geospatial Program (NGP) sponsored various forms of volunteer map data collection projects over the past two decades. Citizen cartographers revised many maps during this period, but the program was suspended in 2008.

New technologies and Internet services have made it easy to georeference many different types of information and share this information with others on map-based Internet platforms and social networking sites in recent years.

This activity has been referred to as crowdsourcing, and the information produced has been called volunteered geographic information (VGI).

In light of this rapidly changing technical landscape, the increasing use of social software for citizen mapping, and the mandates for more transparency and citizen involvement in government, the USGS is considering revitalizing its volunteer program.

As a result, the USGS has launched a pilot project to once again encourage citizen participation.

The future of The National Map Corps

Based on the results of earlier research, the USGS is conducting a pilot to collect selected building and structure features in the State of Colorado. In August 2012, a data collection interface and associated documentation was released for public use. If this project is successful in capturing volunteer interest and data suitable for inclusion in The National Map, it will be expanded to encompass additional geographies and contributors.

Potential volunteer groups that may be engaged in the future include but are not limited to current National Map Corps volunteers, the OpenStreetMap community, GIS Clubs, university students in cartography and geography, K-12 students, volunteer fire departments, and 4-H clubs.

For more information about the 2012 project and how to participate, go to The National Map Corps web site at [ https://my.usgs.gov/confluence/display/nationalmapcorps/Home ]. Also contact us at NationalMapCorps@USGS.gov if you have questions or comments.