User Engagement Activities
The User Engagement Office leads and participates in a variety of activities that support The National Map.
Recent User Engagement Activities
Alaska Mapping
The National Geospatial Program User Engagement Office provides management and oversight for the Alaska Mapping Initiative and staffing and coordination for the Alaska Mapping Executive Committee.
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Alaska Mapping Initiative Alaska Mapping Initiative
The Alaska Mapping Initiative supports acquisition of new topographic map data and generation of updated maps for Alaska. The new data and maps raise the accuracy of Alaska topographic mapping to levels commonly found in the conterminous United States.
Alaska Mapping Executive Committee Alaska Mapping Executive Committee
The Alaska Mapping Executive Committee (AMEC) coordinates the modernization of critical Alaska map layers. Executives from multiple federal agencies and the State meet to prioritize and coordinate mapping objectives. AMEC currently promotes acquisition of several digital map layers including Imagery, Elevation, Terrestrial Hydrography, Wetlands, Coastal Shorelines and Bathymetry.
Support for Geospatial Emergency Response
National Map Liaisons from the User Engagement Office, located across the Nation’s landscape, are uniquely poised to coordinate and help deliver geospatial information and maps in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency. Liaisons regularly support the Geospatial Information Response Team (GIRT) in these cases, and also participate as officers on the GIRT to provide further connection between the GIRT and User Engagement Office.
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NGP Emergency Response NGP Emergency Response
The NGP Emergency Response Coordinator oversees the Programs emergency response activities as well as the Bureau's Geospatial Information Response Team (GIRT).
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Geospatial Information Response Team Geospatial Information Response Team
The USGS established the Geospatial Information Response Team (GIRT) to facilitate the effective coordination, communication, dissemination and archive of geospatial data and information during a disaster event.
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USGS aids storm response to Extratropical Typhoon Merbok in Alaska USGS aids storm response to Extratropical Typhoon Merbok in Alaska
In September 2022, the west coast of Alaska was struck by Extratropical Typhoon Merbok, generating significant storm surge that caused severe flooding, erosion damage, and loss of subsistence infrastructure to over 35 communities along more than 1300 miles of Alaska’s western coast.
Education and Outreach
National Map Liaisons provide education and outreach across the country on National Map products such as geospatial data and topographic maps. To support this, the User Engagement Office produces and participates in creating a variety of communication products such as training videos, geonarratives, podcasts, and more.
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State Factsheets State Factsheets
Elevation data are essential to a broad range of applications, including forest resources management, wildlife and habitat management, national security, recreation, and many others. A joint goal of State and Federal partners is to acquire consistent, statewide coverage to support existing and emerging applications enabled by lidar data.
National Map Training National Map Training
Learn about The National Map through a variety of informative and how-to training videos.
Data Acquisition Collaborations
The National Map is a collaborative endeavor relying on partnerships between the USGS and many partners. National Map Liaisons work with state, federal, and other groups to inform on partnership opportunities such as the 3DNTM Data Collaboration Announcement and collaborations on Transportation, Structures, and Boundary geospatial datasets. The User Engagement Office also provides project coordination and agreement management with partners for some data acquisition projects.
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Data Collaboration Announcement Portal Data Collaboration Announcement Portal
The USGS National Geospatial Program (NGP) collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders to share costs of topographic data acquisition in support of collective mission and business requirements. Initial submissions for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 3DNTM DCA were due September 12, 2025.
USGS EROS Archive - Aerial Photography - National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP)
Aerial imagery acquired by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) during agricultural growing seasons in the conterminous United States. (2003-present)
Support for User and Stakeholder Studies
To understand the requirements of users and other stakeholders, as well as the general benefits of National Map products, the National Geospatial Program undertakes user and stakeholder studies that are specific to National Map products. These studies are used to chart the future path of the program and ensure we meet user and stakeholder needs. User Engagement staff play an integrate part in building and coordinating user and stakeholder participation in the studies.
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3D Nation Elevation Requirements and Benefits Study 3D Nation Elevation Requirements and Benefits Study
The 3D Nation Elevation Requirements and Benefits Study led by NOAA and USGS, aims to understand the nationwide requirements and benefits of 3D elevation data both on land and underwater. The study was published in September 2022.
Hydrography Requirements and Benefits Study Hydrography Requirements and Benefits Study
The Hydrography Requirements and Benefits Study (HRBS) was initiated to review and understand current and future user requirements and the associated benefits for improved hydro data. HRBS documented annual benefits of the current program at \$538M, with the potential to increase to \$1.14B if all user needs are met through the development of NHDPlus HR and the next generation of hydrography data.
National Enhanced Elevation Assessment National Enhanced Elevation Assessment
3D elevation data are essential for flood mitigation, conservation management, infrastructure development, national security, and many other applications.