How a 2007 Meeting Shaped British Columbia's Geospatial Future
Picture this: 22 professionals cram into conference rooms across Vancouver and Victoria on a chilly November day in 2007. Their mission? To ignite an open-source geospatial revolution that would transform how British Columbia maps ecosystems, manages resources, and responds to crises. This is the untold story of the OSGeo BC Chapter's founding—where idealism met pragmatism to reshape the province's digital landscape.
In the mid-2000s, British Columbia faced a geospatial dilemma. Proprietary mapping software strained government budgets, while fragmented data hindered wildfire responses and conservation efforts. The 1993 Clayoquot Sound protests had already exposed public distrust in opaque resource management . Enter open-source geospatial (OSGeo) tools—software like QGIS and PostGIS that offered transparency, customization, and cost savings. Unlike closed systems, OSGeo allowed users to inspect code, modify tools, and share improvements freely.
The 2007 meeting, spearheaded by chair Martin Kyle, wasn't just technical nitpicking. It addressed a critical gap: How could BC leverage OSGeo to balance economic growth with ecological stewardship? Attendees included provincial forestry experts (like Ken Johansson), data architects (Paul Ramsey), and First Nations advisors—groups historically siloed but now united by open-source philosophy 1 .
The meeting's first hour crackled with democratic energy. Attendees rejected top-down governance in favor of "organic growth": building local hubs in Vancouver/Victoria before expanding. Key decisions emerged:
"BC OSGeo" officially adopted, with flexibility for Interior groups (e.g., Kamloops/Kelowna) 1 .
Membership opened to anyone with interest in "open source data, standards, or software"—explicitly adding "data" to their mandate 1 .
Two Local Interest Groups (LIGs) formed:
A breakthrough insight emerged: OSGeo couldn't thrive in isolation. Attendees prioritized alliances with:
| Sector | Representatives | Expertise Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Government | Dave Skea, Chris West | Policy, resource management |
| Tech Industry | Martin Davis, Jason Birch | Software development |
| Academia | Brian Low, Yao Cui | Geospatial research |
| First Nations | Ken Sam, Daryl Getsheimer | Traditional knowledge integration |
While not a lab experiment, the chapter designed a real-world validation framework:
Create OSGeo "demos" using BC-specific datasets (e.g., forestry maps). Compare processing speeds/costs against commercial software.
Present OSGeo tools at Vancouver GIS User Group meetings (May 2008). Host Python developers for joint coding sprints.
Track retention of biodiversity features (e.g., deadwood habitats) using open-source maps vs. traditional surveys .
Within a year, the Victoria LIG reported a 40% attendance spike at OSGeo workshops. Crucially, by 2008, BC's Timberline had adopted OSGeo tools for interior forest audits—validating the "organic growth" model 1 .
| Initiative | Target | Outcome (2008) | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Sessions | 4/year | 5 held | Surpassed engagement goals |
| New Mailing List Subscribers | +50 | +83 | Broader outreach than expected |
| Joint Events with GIS Groups | 2 | 3 (with 120+ attendees) | Successful cross-community adoption |
| Tool/Resource | Function | BC-Specific Application |
|---|---|---|
| Mailing Lists | Coordinated by Jason Birch | Critical for RSVPs and mountain community alerts 1 |
| WebEx Videoconferencing | Hybrid meeting hosting | Enabled Vancouver-Victoria collaboration despite 110 km distance 1 |
| QGIS | Open-source mapping | Customized for Clayoquot Sound biodiversity monitoring |
| PostgreSQL/PostGIS | Geospatial database management | Stored provincial forestry lidar data |
| Python Scripts | Automation of data processing | Accelerated flood risk modeling |
| Norethandrolone | 52-78-8 | C20H30O2 |
| Norfenfluramine | 1886-26-6 | C10H12F3N |
| Quinine Sulfate | 804-63-7 | C40H50N4O8S |
| Norsanguinarine | 522-30-5 | C19H11NO4 |
| Benzyl caffeate | 107843-77-6 | C16H14O4 |
The meeting's legacy unfolded in unexpected ways:
By 2010, BC's Critical Minerals Strategy incorporated OSGeo tools for mapping copper/molybdenum deposits—funded partly by 2007's advocacy 4 .
Variable retention harvesting (VRH), used in 70% of coastal BC by 2019, relied on OSGeo maps to identify "life-boating" habitats for caribou and fungi .
The telehealth network—a sister project—saved $724,457/year using open-source video tools, proving OSGeo's economic case 3 .
The 2007 meeting was more than a tech gathering; it was a social contract. By insisting on open data alongside open source, the founders ensured BC's geospatial future would be participatory—whether enabling First Nations' guardianship or citizen scientists tracking invasive species. Today, as BC deploys AI for wildfire prediction, it builds on those 2007 principles: transparency, adaptation, and unwavering belief that sharing code can protect shared earth.