Benjamin C Finley (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Aerial orthoimagery development of Emiquon and Spunky Bottoms Preserves on the Illinois River for the Nature Conservancy
The Illinois River's Emiquon and Spunky Bottoms Preserves are collaborative floodplain restoration projects involving The Nature Conservancy (TNC), The US Army Corps of Engineers, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), with restoration efforts guided by a team of over forty science advisers. Emiquon and Spunky Bottoms were historic wetlands prior to conversion to farmland. This project is...
Feral hog survey over Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve using high-resolution thermal infrared imagery
The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (JELA) in southeastern Louisiana is being invaded by feral hogs ( Sus scrofa) and in need a systemic survey to determine where and how many hogs exist within the park boundary. Feral hogs are able to reproduce and increase their range rapidly, they are highly destructive to streams, wetlands, native plants and farm fields, and can spread...
Pre- and Post-Maintenance Aerial Imagery for Illinois River's Alton through Brandon Lock and Dams, 2019-2021
Most of the locks and dams on the Illinois River are scheduled for closure for repair during the summer of 2020. This project will use 4-band (natural color and color infrared) aerial imagery to document baseline aquatic vegetation and river conditions prior to the closures in the late summer of 2019, and once again in the later summer of 2021 after the locks are reopened.
Remote Sensing in support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Surveys Branch
The Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center and the USFWS Migratory Bird Surveys Branch continue to partner on remote sensing projects that document and describe our natural resources, including flight planning, image acquisition, and image processing support for both waterfowl and wildlife surveys and for vegetation mapping projects.
Uncrewed Aircraft System Assets
This page describes the Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS), or drone, program at the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC), current to March 1, 2025. All equipment is purchased and maintained in accordance with the Department of the Interior (DOI) Office of Aviation Services (OAS) policy. All pilots are certified through FAA Part 107 and DOI A-450 training and are required to fly every...
Science and Products
Aerial orthoimagery development of Emiquon and Spunky Bottoms Preserves on the Illinois River for the Nature Conservancy
The Illinois River's Emiquon and Spunky Bottoms Preserves are collaborative floodplain restoration projects involving The Nature Conservancy (TNC), The US Army Corps of Engineers, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), with restoration efforts guided by a team of over forty science advisers. Emiquon and Spunky Bottoms were historic wetlands prior to conversion to farmland. This project is...
Feral hog survey over Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve using high-resolution thermal infrared imagery
The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (JELA) in southeastern Louisiana is being invaded by feral hogs ( Sus scrofa) and in need a systemic survey to determine where and how many hogs exist within the park boundary. Feral hogs are able to reproduce and increase their range rapidly, they are highly destructive to streams, wetlands, native plants and farm fields, and can spread...
Pre- and Post-Maintenance Aerial Imagery for Illinois River's Alton through Brandon Lock and Dams, 2019-2021
Most of the locks and dams on the Illinois River are scheduled for closure for repair during the summer of 2020. This project will use 4-band (natural color and color infrared) aerial imagery to document baseline aquatic vegetation and river conditions prior to the closures in the late summer of 2019, and once again in the later summer of 2021 after the locks are reopened.
Remote Sensing in support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Surveys Branch
The Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center and the USFWS Migratory Bird Surveys Branch continue to partner on remote sensing projects that document and describe our natural resources, including flight planning, image acquisition, and image processing support for both waterfowl and wildlife surveys and for vegetation mapping projects.
Uncrewed Aircraft System Assets
This page describes the Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS), or drone, program at the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC), current to March 1, 2025. All equipment is purchased and maintained in accordance with the Department of the Interior (DOI) Office of Aviation Services (OAS) policy. All pilots are certified through FAA Part 107 and DOI A-450 training and are required to fly every...