Conservation GIS Center

Investigative Science

Geospatial Intelligence Is Dismantling Wildlife Trafficking Routes Before Poachers Cross the Border

Conservation agencies and law enforcement are deploying geographic information systems to expose the invisible corridors through which illegally traded wildlife moves across US borders and around the globe. By layering trade data, satellite imagery, and predictive modeling onto interactive maps, researchers are transforming raw coordinates into enforcement action. This investigation examines the technology, the teams, and the real-world operations that are reshaping the fight against one of the

Aug 27, 2026

Conservation Practice

Bringing Back the Land: Eight Rewilding Projects That GIS Data Shows Are Actually Working

Across the United States, a quiet revolution in land stewardship is unfolding one watershed, prairie, and forest stand at a time. Geographic information systems are providing scientists and land managers with the tools to measure, verify, and replicate habitat restoration successes with unprecedented precision. This feature profiles eight standout rewilding initiatives — from Florida's coastal marshes to Montana's grasslands — and examines the spatial data that confirms their ecological impact.

Aug 27, 2026