Surveying Articles

Episode 280 - Michael Hart & Bradley Dillon

This week on The Geoholics, we’re digging into the roots of the profession with Michael Hart, BLM Chief Cadastral Surveyor for Idaho, and Bradley Dillon, Lead Surveyor in the Field Section for BLM Idaho. From the legacy of the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Boise Meridian Initial Point to hunting down century-old monuments in rough terrain, this episode is all about the history, grit, problem-solving, and purpose behind cadastral surveying.

We talk field stories, conflicting evidence, protecting public lands, modernizing workflows without losing the integrity of the work, and why mentoring the next generation matters now more than ever. Because cadastral surveyors do not just find boundaries—they build the story, defend the evidence, and preserve a legacy that still shapes millions of acres today.

Buckle up…Episode 280 is one for every surveyor who believes the past still matters, the field still teaches, and the monument still tells the truth.

#TheGeoholics #LandSurveying #CadastralSurveying #BLM #PublicLands #PLSS #Surveyors #Geospatial #Mentorship #America250 #BoiseMeridian #BoundariesMatter

Week 170: ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys for Field Technicians and their Managers

Episode 284 - Alex Chose, Taylor Shepley & YSN National Mentorship Program

In this episode of The Geoholics, we’re talking mentorship, momentum, and the future of land surveying with Alex Chose and Taylor Shepley from the Young Surveyors Network. With applications open for the 2026 YSN National Mentorship Program, Alex and Taylor dig into why mentorship matters right now, not someday, and how structured mentor/mentee relationships can help young surveyors navigate licensure, leadership, business ownership, work-life balance, confidence, and the kind of hard-earned professional judgment that simply cannot be pulled from a textbook or YouTube video. The 2025 pilot program delivered a powerful result, with 100% of questionnaire respondents saying they would recommend it to their peers, and the 2026 program is expanding to 250 participants, signaling real demand and real momentum across the profession.

This one is about more than career advice. It is a call to action for seasoned surveyors to be intentional about passing down knowledge, opening doors, and helping the next generation believe they belong in the room. Alex brings a passion for community, camaraderie, and preservation of wild public lands, while Taylor brings a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of surveyors through his work in the industry and with YSN. Add in a Leica Geosystems Pro Tip on mentorship, Wanda Jackson’s “Let’s Have a Party” as Song of the Week, and the usual Geoholics energy, and you’ve got an episode focused on adding value, making friends, and reminding all of us that the future of surveying depends on what we are willing to share today.

EP235 NSPS Update - Tim & Trish in the Studio

Even if one reads our newsletter every week, follows us on social media, and also catches up on the news in the monthly Bulletin, chances are you still don't know about everything going on at NSPS! This episode of "Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast" jumps in the deep end and introduces a new voice to the podcast. Joining your host, Executive Director Tim Burch, is NSPS "Director of High Fives and Handshakes," our very own Trish Milburn.

Tim and Trish are here to update all of the great events and happenings here in Frederick, and you may be surprised at a few tricks they have up their sleeves. Make sure and listen so you can hear who is making noise in the profession, what news things are happening at NSPS, when to plan for new events and features, and where the profession is headed from your national advocate for the surveyor.

Week 169: Map Accuracy Standards - For those taking the FS/PS/CST

Episode 279 - John Russo & Joseph Romano - USIBD

Episode 279 of The Geoholics is a straight-up masterclass in reality capture, Scan to BIM, digital twins, and the future of the built world. Kent and the crew sit down with industry heavy hitters John Russo and Joseph Romano to unpack how Scan to BIM evolved from a niche service into a game-changing force across the AEC industry. From LOA standards and digital twin ecosystems to AI automation and the risks of “push-button” technology, this episode dives deep into the balance between innovation and professional expertise. The conversation also highlights the critical role of organizations like U.S. Institute of Building Documentation in driving standards, education, and credibility throughout the reality capture community. Toss in some classic Geoholics energy, a little John Mellencamp, industry pro tips, and plenty of future-focused insight—and you’ve got an episode built for anyone serious about where geospatial technology is headed next.

EP234 Stewart Ward, PLS - The Business of Surveying

Calling all professional surveying entrepreneurs! Do you often wonder what it takes to run a small surveying business? Do you start from scratch or seek out an existing business for sale? What does it take to make it grow? Do you have what it takes to be a successful business owner? 

This week's episode of "Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast" finds us at the "Boise Meridian Initial Point Celebration" where we happen to run into our former NSPS Director for Idaho, Stewart Ward, PLS, and owner of Dioptra, a small surveying firm in Chubbuck, ID. Our host, Tim Burch, sat down with Stewart to discuss his path to surveying, licensure, and company ownership. They talked about what it takes to run a successful business, being an effective manager AND leader, and staying humble through it all. Stewart offers a few suggestions to think about when considering ownership while keeping your personal skills sharp.

While this conversation went a little longer than most, give it a listen and you will agree it is worth the time. Lots of knowledge nuggets here, so takes some notes and be inspired!

Episode 278 - Shelby Sharpe

This week, we sit down with Shelby Sharpe, an instructional designer and PhD candidate who’s right in the middle of where education meets the real-world geospatial workforce. And let’s just say…she brings some perspective.

We dig into the so-called “workforce shortage” and flip the script...it’s not just about talent, it’s about accessibility, awareness, and how we’re actually training people. Schools are teaching tools…industry needs problem-solvers. Big difference.

Shelby also drops some serious insight on how adults really learn...especially busy professionals, field crews, and PMs. Hint: it’s not sitting through long trainings. It’s solving real problems, in real time, with context that actually matters.

We also get into her journey from practicing geospatial to teaching it, what makes a great technical expert to collaborate with, and how we can better connect education and industry moving forward.

If you care about the future of surveying, geospatial, and the next generation coming into it…this one’s worth your time.

Music by Tom Petty!

EP233 From the Director's Desk - The Latest in Surveying News

The latest edition of "Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast" gives us an opportunity catch up on the latest news and happenings within our profession. Your host, Tim Burch, provides an update on the recent NSPS Spring Meeting, the 25th Annual National Student Competition, our annual "Day on the Hill" visit to our federal legislators, and stories you might not know about happening within our ranks. Lots happening in the world of surveying, so buckle up for a bit of news and knowledge coming your way!

GeoWeek 2026 - Part 3 LIVE From Denver!

Check out these highlights from this year's awesome event!!!

00:30 - Rhea Garratt, Manager of Geospatial Desktop at Pix4D...apologies for the technical difficulties!                                    

09:40 - Andy Ives, Survey Manager at Langan Engineering

34:45 - Madeleine Janzen, Technical Sales Specialist at Geo-Plus and William Myers, Director of Operations at Global eTraining

47:55 - Charles Schreiner, Senior Project Manager and Scott Graham, VP and Chief Surveyor at ETM Surveying & Mapping, Inc.

1:10:55 - Rami Tamimi, Founder and Lead Instructor at The Survey School and Geomatics Project Manager at WSP

1:25:55 - Mike Liggett, Owner at Aerial Ethos, LLC and Scott Harrigan, President at Harkin Aerial

EP232 Dan Young - Idaho BLM Surveyor

Did you know the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cadastral Survey Program is over 240 years old? "Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast" does a deep drive into the history of BLM and its predecessor, the General Land Office (GLO). Dan Young, Supervisory Cadastral Surveyor for BLM, joins Tim Burch for a conversation about all things cadastral. They also discuss the upcoming Idaho / America 250 celebration happening at the Boise Meridian Initial Point and Old Idaho Penitentiary on May 1-2, 2026. An action packed episode so check it out today!

Lands, Realty & Cadastral Survey | Bureau of Land Management

Cadastral Survey | Bureau of Land Management

Land Records | Bureau of Land Management

Public Land Access Data | Bureau of Land Management

Owyhee River Wilderness Area - Idaho | Bureau of Land Management

CFedS.org – The home of the Certified Federal Surveyor Program

Boise Meridian Initial Point Celebration: Surveying the Past, Mapping the Future | Bureau of Land Management

Welcome to America250 in Idaho

GeoWeek 2026 - Part 2 LIVE From Denver!

Check out these highlights from this year's awesome event!!!

00:10 - John Downing, CO-Founder & Chief Product Architect of Leteligence and Vice President of LETEL                                    

24:42 - Jeffrey Martin, Founder CEO at Mosaic - 360º Geospatial Imaging System

41:05 - Andrew Middleton, Owner of The Map Center, New England's Oldest Map Store

1:00:40 - Dr. Mohamed Mostafa, Lead Technical Authority - Mobile Mapping at Trimble Applanix

1:30:15 - Riley Smith, Director, Monitoring, Mining, and Tunneling at Trimble

GeoWeek 2026 - Part 1 LIVE From Denver!

Check out these highlights from this year's awesome event!!!

00:20 - Andres Abeyta, Executive Director at BootcampGIS

15:12 - Joel Gregory, CEO and Mitch McPherson at 12D Synergy

31:05 - Aaron Morris, Director of Innovation at Woolpert

48:40 - Craig Peddie, CEO North America at nfoldROI

1:14:30 - Mario Montagna, Survey Technician and Chad Maxwell, Senior Geomatics Manager at HDR

Week 168: What Are (and Aren’t) Relative Error Ellipses?

EP231 25th Annual NSPS Student Competition

Hello from the nation's capital! This week's episode of "Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast" finds us in on the National Mall and throughout the District of Columbia hosting the 25th Annual NSPS Student Competition. Your host, Tim Burch, sat down with various participants, advisors, and sponsors to reflect on the competition and how this event strengthens the profession. Great insights on this exciting gathering of students, youngs surveyors, and our leaders of the profession so check it out today.

Episode 277 - Matt Nugent & Overwatch Imaging

This week, we sit down with Matt Nugent from Overwatch Imaging a product leader who didn’t start in geospatial…but now lives and breathes it. And honestly? That outsider perspective might be exactly why he’s helping reshape how this industry thinks.

This episode is all about closing the gap between data and decision-making. Because let’s be real…in geospatial, data has never been the problem whereas knowing what to do with it has.

Matt breaks down how the next generation of geospatial tech is being built:

Not around sensors…but around the operator’s decision
Not around volume of data…but speed + clarity of insight
Not around “cool tech”…but real-world impact (wildfires, search & rescue, defense)

“Superhuman Vision”...It’s not about replacing people…it’s about augmenting human judgment at scale.

From agile product development to real-time feedback loops (literally flying systems weekly), this conversation is a masterclass in:

Building products people actually use
Finding true product-market fit in geospatial
Leveraging AI as an accelerator, not a distraction

If you’re in surveying, remote sensing, or building the future of geospatial tech…this episode is a wake-up call!

Music by Frank Sinatra!

Week 167: Riparian Concepts

EP230 Gary Kent - Land Title Survey Standards 2026 - Section 6-8 & Table "A"

Our final portion reviewing of the changes within the 2026 Edition of the updated ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Standards continues with not one but TWO podcasts this week. "Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast." features our resident land title survey expert, Gary Kent, PS, wrapping up Sections 6-8 & Table "A" in Episode 230. Your host, Tim Burch, sits down with Gary to discuss the important changes within the Section, so you don’t want to miss it. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to bookmark both the podcast and video version of the updated Standards on the NSPS YouTube channel!

EP229 Gary Kent - Land Title Survey Standards 2026 - Section 4-5

Our final portion reviewing of the changes within the 2026 Edition of the updated ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Standards continues with not one but TWO podcasts this week. "Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast." features our resident land title survey expert, Gary Kent, PS, wrapping up Sections 4-5 in Episode 229. Your host, Tim Burch, sits down with Gary to discuss the important changes within the Section, so you don’t want to miss it. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to bookmark both the podcast and video version of the updated Standards on the NSPS YouTube channel!

Episode 275 - Ted Knaak & TopoDOT Solutions

This episode of The Geoholics takes us deep into the evolution of surveying—where the industry isn’t just changing…it’s being completely flipped “upside down and inside out.” And leading that conversation? None other than Ted Knaak—OG innovator, founder, and one of the sharpest minds in the point cloud game.

Ted walks us through one of the biggest paradigm shifts our profession has ever seen: we didn’t just improve data collection…we changed the nature of the data itself.

This episode challenges the idea that “more data = better outcomes”… and pushes us to rethink what quality really means in a point cloud world.

Ted calls out one of the biggest gaps in our industry today—dysfunctional data governance. Firms adopting scanning tech without a clear strategy...Workflows being dictated by software instead of mission...Multiple sensors, platforms, and tools creating fragmentation...Lack of defensibility when it actually matters.

TopoDOT Solutions: This isn’t just a name change—it’s a mindset shift.

Ted introduces the idea of defining measurable characteristics of point cloud data—bringing structure, accountability, and true quality assessment into the conversation.

The role of the surveyor is evolving—from collector to interpreter, validator, and data governor.

To stay relevant (and lead), surveyors need to: Understand data at a deeper level...Own quality and traceability...Think beyond deliverables...Think lifecycle!

The firms (and people) who figure out data governance, quality, and strategy first…are going to lead the next era of surveying.

Music by Pigeons Playing Ping Pong!

EP228 Todd Horton - Survey Technician Training

It may be April 1 on the calendar but we are not fooling around! Technician training is an important topic and "Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast" is here for you. This week, your host Tim Burch sits down with Todd Horton, PE, PLS, and lead instructor for survey technician training sessions being hosted around the country. They chatted about the importance of training in the age of one-man crews and exploding technology. Todd has been busy hosting sessions with the Michigan and Indiana societies, but look for him to visit your area soon. A great conversation you don't want to miss.

Week 166: Technician Training Models

EP227 Kennedy Williams - Senior @ Cal Poly Pomona

As we wind down to the end of March and Women's History Month, this week's episode of "Surveyor Says! The NSPS Podcast" features someone who plans on making a name for her own self. While on location at the Western Region Survey Conference in Las Vegas, Tim Burch sat down with Kennedy Williams, a senior at Cal Poly Pomona and budding surveyor/engineer in the making. Kennedy shared her story of making the decision of pursuing a civil engineering degree then "finding" surveying during her sophomore year. They also discussed the importance of the combination of education, experience, and networking to give the surveyor a well rounded career opportunity. A conversation with a dynamic lady so give it a listen today!

Episode 274 - Gordon Perry, PLS

This week, The Geoholics take a deep dive underground—literally and figuratively—with rail and LiDAR expert Gordon Perry, PLS. From the streets of Detroit to the tunnels beneath NY Penn Station, Gordon brings a perspective shaped by grit, precision, and a relentless pursuit of quality.

Gordon shares his journey from Lansing Community College into the world of surveying—where curiosity turned into passion, and passion turned into a career spanning some of the most complex infrastructure projects in the country.

We’re talking 1,200 miles of the Amtrak Northeast Corridor, full transit system mapping across MBTA lines, and working in environments most surveyors will never experience—like fully underground rail systems where GPS is nonexistent and precision is everything.

If you’ve been hearing the LiDAR buzz—this episode breaks it down. Gordon walks us through the full workflow. And here’s the truth bomb: Data collection gets the spotlight… but processing is where careers are made or broken.

He also calls out one of the biggest misconceptions in the industry—thinking LiDAR is “push-button easy.” Spoiler alert: it’s not. Not if you care about quality.

Gordon emphasizes that great partners aren’t just technically sound—they’re communicative, accountable, and aligned on expectations.

This episode is a masterclass in staying relevant, delivering quality, and embracing the complexity of our profession.

If you’re in surveying, LiDAR, rail, or just love hearing how the best in the game think—this one’s a must-listen.

Music by Genesis!!!