Project Goal
The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) GIS program aims to build, maintain, and leverage comprehensive spatial data and Esri tools to effectively manage state-owned endowment lands, timber, and natural resources for maximum long-term financial return and public benefit. By providing accurate, accessible geospatial information, the program supports data-driven decision-making for resource management, wildfire prevention, land leasing, and statewide operational planning, addressing the challenges of managing millions of acres of land and complex, interrelated resources.Business Problem Solved
The GIS program drove a digital transformation by architecting automated reporting tools that leverage ArcGIS Enterprise and the ArcGIS API for Python. By consolidating statewide datasets into a single source of truth, the program transforms raw operational data into clear, actionable insights for leadership.
Using ArcGIS Dashboards, Experience Builder, and Survey123, IDL replaced fragmented, legacy workflows with standardized, spatially enabled views of 2.5 million acres. This enterprise approach addressed the challenge of data accessibility by providing consistent mapping and reporting across 14 area offices and 2 staff offices. These tools have significantly improved transparency, enabled real-time performance tracking, and drastically reduced the manual labor previously required for annual reporting. The result is a modernized, data-driven environment that empowers executive decision-making through reliable, statewide spatial intelligence.
Technology Implemented
The Idaho Department of Lands GIS program leverages a robust ArcGIS Enterprise ecosystem to modernize trust land management across its diverse supervisory areas. The department deploys a suite of custom web applications using ArcGIS Web AppBuilder and Experience Builder, providing staff with tailored tools for spatial analysis and decision support.
Data integrity is maintained through a unified field-to-office pipeline utilizing ArcGIS Survey123 and ArcGIS Field Maps. To ensure state-wide consistency, the GIS program provides ArcGIS Pro project templates that standardize cartography and data schemas for all area staff. Furthermore, ArcGIS Dashboards offer real-time operational oversight, supported by ArcGIS API for Python scripting to automate complex reporting and synchronization workflows. This integrated approach ensures high-accuracy data collection and seamless reporting for over 2.5 million acres of state endowment trust lands.
Development Team Biography
The Idaho Department of Lands GIS Program is led by Robin Dunn and supported by four GIS analysts with close to 60 years of combined experience. Using the ArcGIS platform, the team develops enterprise data systems, automated workflows, and internal and public applications to support statewide reporting and decision-making.
Robin Dunn, Program Manager, has led the transition to a statewide enterprise GIS system improving data consistency and reporting capabilities. Chris Haines (Analyst III/Database Analyst) develops enterprise database views and automation scripting that support GIS workflows. Andrew Mock (Analyst III) works with external partners to develop applications and tools that integrate cooperative datasets with IDL programs. Andrew Moore (Analyst II) ensures data accuracy and supports GIS products and reporting. Cameron Bennett (Analyst I) focuses on data management and quality assurance to support reliable reporting and geospatial products.