My name is Elias Stroock, and I am an environmental science major at Oregon State University in Corvallis. My primary focus is Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which aligns well with my interest in remotely sensing water bodies. The mapping capabilities of GIS are crucial for visualizing data collected through various sensing technologies.

My career aspirations lean towards water law, specifically in the realm of environmental law, with a focus on assisting those most vulnerable to climate change impacts. I envision working for a small business or nonprofit to maximize my impact in areas with the greatest need.

I have no prior experience with Oregon State University Extension Service but am eager to learn about its functions and how it serves the public. I am particularly interested in honing my communication and public relations skills through event planning and utilizing platforms like Facebook to engage with the public. I anticipate enjoying county fairs and exploring new Oregon towns while addressing public concerns about well water. My interest in mapping also causes me to enjoy learning more about the areas I will be visiting so that I can connect the dots in my head regarding features and geographic locations in a given area.

For my project I am thinking of creating a GIS map to visualize nitrate testing locations across different counties. By utilizing address data from tracking sheets and inputting it into an Excel spreadsheet, I can generate a map showcasing the prevalence of nitrate testing. Once it is in the software, I am able to use different tools to showcase important features about the data. Some examples of this might be a heatmap showing which areas which had many people getting their water tested. This map can also be used by future interns within this program to target certain areas where few people have been tested. This visual tool can be used to demonstrate the program’s effectiveness and advocate for increased funding in various counties.