Andra Larae Bontrager

Experience

Wildlife GIS Data Steward, Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) Partnering with the Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) (April 2022 - Present)

IT Specialist 3 specializing in GIS data stewardship for the Division of Fish and Wildlife, Section of Wildlife, Business Services Unit. Responsible for spatial and non-spatial data administration, GIS analysis, and technical support, as well as the accurate creation, mapping, reporting, publishing, and documentation of datasets to help support DNR Wildlife Research Groups and Habitat Management programs. Ensure data compliance with DNR data governance policies, procedures, standards, best practices, and guidelines through policy development engagement efforts with Wildlife staff, other DNR and MNIT subject matter experts, business data stewards, and inter-agency GIS collaborations. Responsible for creating training materials and providing related training in a variety of formats to staff and stakeholders. Design and implement automated procedures and participate in the design, development, and testing of new datasets and business application solutions.

• ESRI ArcGIS Pro 2.9, ArcGIS Advanced 10.6.1, AppStudio, Web Experience Builder, Survey123 Connect, Portal and ArcGIS Online
• Python 2.7, 3.8, ArcPy, Arcade, HTML/CSS, and ESRI ArcGIS JavaScript API 4.1
• Develop template-based ESRI web map applications and ArcGIS Online integrated applications for field data collection and desktop data review
• Develop and document python geoprocessing scripts for developing databases and maintaining derived data products for field data collection
• Database management and metadata development, coordination, and guidance for GIS applications and online platforms
• Develop and maintain web map services for widlife field data collection studies and application integrations
• Create guidance documentation, cartographic illustrations, graphical figures, architectural diagrams, and continuity reports for GIS applications
• Provide support regarding access and use of web map services and webmap applications in portal
• Integrating ADA accessibility for interactive web map applications
• Participate and coordinate with the MnDNR Data Governance and Communications Teams and Statewide GIS Collaborative Workgroups
• Develop data stewardship guidance and facilitate development of long-term application publication guidelines
• Develop quality assurance and quality control with standard operating procedures for data stewardship for Wildlife studies

GIS Application Support Specialist, Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) Partnering with the Department of Transportation (MnDOT) (February 2021 - April 2022)

• ESRI ArcGIS Pro 2.5, ArcGIS Advanced 10.7.1, Web AppBuilder & Developer's Edition 2.16, AppStudio, ArcGIS Online, StoryMaps, Survey123, GeoForms
• Python 2.7, 3.8, QT, HTML/CSS, and ESRI ArcGIS JavaScript API 3.3 & 4.1
• Facilitate business planning with stakeholders, including project scoping, determining and documenting goals, deliverables, features, functions, tasks, deadlines, and estimating timelines for application development, testing, and production implementation
• Develop custom off the shelf (COTS) and template-based and/or custom-configured ESRI web map executable and ArcGIS Online integrated applications for field data collection and desktop data review
• Database management and metadata development, coordination, and guidance for GIS applications and online platforms
• Develop and maintain web map services for environmental data review and application integrations
• Develop and document geospatial geoprocessing scripts for developing databases and maintaining derived data products for environmental review projects
• Create guidance documentation, cartographic illustrations, graphical figures, and continuity reports for GIS applications developed
• Provide support regarding access and use of web map services and webmap applications published online and in portal
• ADA Accessibility for interactive webmaps and mapping applications
• Participate and coordinate with the MnDOT GIS Steering Team and the Statewide Interagency GIS Steering Committee
• Develop data stewardship guidance and facilitate development of long-term strategic GIS planning
• Quality assurance and quality control in assurance design and programming

GIS Research Analysis Specialist Senior, Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) (May 2020 - January 2021)

• ESRI ArcGIS Advanced 10.7.1, ArcGIS Pro 2.4, Web AppBuilder & Developer's Edition 2.14, ArcGIS Online, StoryMaps, Survey123
• Python 2.7, 3.8, HTML/CSS, and ESRI ArcGIS JavaScript 3.3 & 4.1
• Lead GIS data production, analyses, support, management, coordination, and guidance for desktop and online platforms
• Develop, organize, convert, and update geospatial data, metadata, and web map services and applications
• Develop and document geospatial analyses and derived data products for environmental review projects
• Generate statistical summaries, graphical figures, and write methodological reports for OES
• Create cartographic map illustrations using ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, and Adobe CS (PS & AI)
• Create automation models and workflows for data creation, management, and maintenance
• Provide support regarding access and use of maps, data, and webmap applications published by OES
• Participate and coordinate with the MnDOT GIS Steering Team and the Statewide Interagency GIS Steering Committee
• Develop data stewardship guidance and facilitate development of long-term strategic GIS planning
• Quality assurance and quality control

GIS Research Analyst Intermediate, Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) (May 2019 - May 2020)

• ESRI ArcGIS Desktop Advanced 10.5/10.7, ArcGIS Pro 2.4.0, ArcGIS Online, Web App Builder - Developer's Edition
• Develop scoping web map services, feature services, and webmap applications for environmental review
• Develop geospatial analyses for transportation construction environmental review projects
• Create, manage, and update geospatial data related to products and services published by OES
• Generate statistical summaries, graphical figures and write methodological reports
• Cartographic map illustration using ArcMap, ArcPro, and Adobe Illustrator
• Develop and maintain MGMG and ISO XML compliant metadata, and maintain data sharing agreements and MOU’s
• Guide OES GIS Steering Committee and long-term planning for data and applications of OES geospatial data

GIS Specialist, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Saint Paul, Minnesota (January 2016 - April 2019)

• ESRI ArcGIS Desktop Advanced 10.5, ArcGIS Pro 1.0, ArcGIS Online
• GIS department administration, management, and coordination
• Develop geospatial analyses for issue-specific environmental policy projects
• Protocol standardization for data development and integration of API libraries and services
• Generate statistical summaries, graphical figures and write methodological reports
• Cartographic map illustration using ArcMap, Adobe AI & PS, and MAPublisher
• Develop and maintain FGDC CSDGM and ISO XML compliant metadata, data sharing agreements and MOU’s
• GIS website management, including scoping and educational webmap application development
• Quality assurance and quality control

GIS Technician, City of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota (November 2014 - January 2016)

• ESRI ArcGIS Desktop Advanced (ArcView 3x and ArcGIS 8, 9, 10) and ArcGIS Pro
• ESRI ArcGIS Online (Explorer, Collector, and Operations Dashboard)
• Geospatial Modelling Environment (GME), AutoCAD, ArcPAD, and Trimble GPS
• Spatial analysis and developing city-wide automated geoprocessing models
• Geospatial data and FGDB creation, acquisition, editing, and management
• Cartographic map composition creation and illustration enhancement
• GIS web mapping and application management
• GIS instructional training and technical support lead
• Generating statistical summaries and writing methodological reports
• Quality assurance and quality control

GIS Projects Leader, Wildlife Conservation Society North America Program, Bozeman, Montana (January 2006 - July 2014)

• ESRI ArcGIS Desktop Advanced (ArcView 3x and ArcGIS 8, 9, 10) and ArcGIS Pro
• ESRI ArcGIS Desktop (ArcView 3x and ArcGIS 8, 9)
• Geospatial Modelling Environment (GME) / Hawth's Tools / Fragstats
• Developed geospatial analyses for a variety of wildlife conservation projects
• Compiled, maintained, and distributed spatial data to support research projects
• Administered GIS department: facilitated licensing for GIS and maintained hardware
• Illustrated cartographic map publications for reports and journal articles
• Trained associates in GIS software use and analysis methodologies

Freelance Cartographer (2008-2012)

• Created a series of grayscale reference maps for a complete book publication
• Routinely compiled map figures for a variety or professional peer-reviewed journal publications
• Wrote a technical guidebook for field-based GPS data collection using LandEKG

GIS Specialist, Wildlife Conservation Society, North America Program, Bozeman, Montana (October 2004 - December 2005)

• ESRI ArcGIS Desktop (ArcView 3x and ArcGIS 8) and Leica / ERDAS Imagine
• Developed and maintained geospatial datasets from field-based raw data collections
• Supported geospatial analyses for a variety of wildlife conservation projects
• Compiled technical reports and statistics for publications and presentations
• Illustrated cartographic map publications for reports and journal articles

Program Manager, Big Sky Institute for Science and Natural History, Montana State University, Bozeman (June 2004 - September 2004)

• Event development, including coordination of invitations, rsvp’s, and necessary transportation logistics
• Guided tours and lectured on western ecology
• Produced maps and a reference field-guide focused on western ecology

GIS Technician, Big Sky Institute for Science and Natural History, Montana State University, Bozeman (January 2004 - June 2004)

• ESRI ArcGIS Desktop (ArcGIS 8: ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcToolbox) and Trimble GPS
• Developed and maintained geospatial datasets from field-based raw data collections

Well Water Monitor, Department of Earth Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman (September 2002 - June 2004)

• Navigated to and located private wells in rural areas
• Measured and recorded wellwater levels using wet tape

Dendroecological Research Assistant, Tree Ring Laboratory, Big Sky Institute for Science and Natural History, Montana State University, Bozeman (September 2001 - December 2003)

• Prepared and anlayzed growth patterns of timberline old growth tree-ring cores for graduate students researching alpine climate trends and paleoecological modeling of climate variability.
• Planned field research supplies and prepared inventories for field crews.

Customer Service Experience (1992-2002)

Pet Store Associate, Gas Station Attendant, Laundry Mat Attendant, Greenhouse Associate, House Cleaner, Produce Stocker, Server, etc.

Education

Master of Science in Cartography & GIS, University of Wisconsin, Madison 2020

• GIS and Web Map Programming (GISWMP) Option
• Coursework: Geocomputing, Graphic Design in Cartography, Interactive Cartography & Geovisualization, Geospatial Database Design & Development, Geospatial Web & Mobile Programming, GIS and Spatial Analyses, Practicum, Capstone
• GPA 3.94

Post-Graduate Experience, Montana State University, Bozeman, 2005

• Coursework: Research Methods and The Scientific Process, Landscape Ecology, Survey of Calculus (AU)
• GPA 4.0

Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, 2004

• Physical Geography Option
• Relevant Coursework: Computer Science, Technical Writing, Statistics, Algebra, Applied Multiple Regression; Physical Geography, Physical Geology, Geomorphology, Regional Geography, Human and Economic Geography, Geographical Planning, Map Skills, Intro & Advanced GIS, Geographic Thought, Soil Science, Conservation Biology, Natural Resource Policy, Principles of Ecology, Alpine Ecology, Restoration Ecology, Holistic Thought & Management
• Senior Research “Biogeography and ecosystems: Utility in conservation management.”
• Undergraduate Scholars Program “A disjunct ponderosa pine stand in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: Origins and viability.”
• Golden Key International Honor Society
• GPA 3.71

Associates in Art, Century College, White Bear Lake, Minnesota, 2000

• Relevant Coursework: Studio Art, Economic Geography, Ethics & Environment
• Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Certification

Certified GIS Professional (GISP)

• GIS Certification Institute, 701 Lee Street, Suite 680, Des Plaines, IL 60016
• 2015-2026

Awards

Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA), Rocky Mountain Division, GIS User's Conference Poster Contest

Department of Earth Sciences, Montana State University

Undergraduate Scholars Program Grant, Montana State University

Affiliations

• 2017-2020 MetroGIS Coordinating Committee - State Agency Representative
• 2016-2019 Minnesota Statewide Geospatial Advisory Council (MN GAC) - Non-profit Sector Representative
• 2016-2019 National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC)
• 2015-2021 North American Cartographic Information Society (NACIS)
• 2015-2022 Minnesota GIS/LIS Consortium
• 2005-2009 Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA)
• 2005-2009 Society for Conservation GIS (SCGIS)
• 2003-2021 American Association of Geographers (AAG)

Presentations

• 2022 GIS Bytes, Interagency GIS Lunch Series, Online. Guest Speaker, "Minnesota's Great River Road: Mapping The Traveler's Resource"
• 2020 GIS Spring Training Workshop, MnDOT and the GIS User's Group, Pollution Control Agency. Guest Speaker, "The Environmental Landscape Mapper (ELM): Data, Development, and Functionality"
• 2018, 2017, and 2016 - Guest Lecturer, University of Minnesota, Office of the Vice President for Research U-Spatial Graduate Course GIS 8501, "GIS Project Management and Professional Development: Workload Management in Non-Profit GIS."
• 2016 (Presentation and Panel Member) The 26th Annual Conference of the MNGIS/LIS Consortium. Duluth, Minnesota. GIS "Jobs Panel: Working the Nonprofit GIS Sector."
• 2012 (Presentation and Panel Member) The 11th Biennial Scientific Conference; Greater Yellowstone in Transition. Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming. "Quantifying wildlife interactions and public perceptions toward conservation in the Greater Yellowstone Region."
• 2010 Colorado State University; Pathways to Success Conference. Estes Park, Colorado. "A spatial assessment of land owner preferences toward wildlife management in exurban landscapes of the Yellowstone Rockies."
• 2006 Fly-fishing festival. Madison Valley, Montana. The wild side of the Madison Valley.
• 2005 Madison Valley Ranchlands Group; Public Meeting. Madison Valley, Montana. A wildlife conservation assessment of the Madison Valley, Montana.

Map Displays & Posters

• 2021 MN GIS/LIS 31st Conference; Duluth, Minnesota. Poster Display; 'The Future of Historical Data in Minnesota: Public Geospatial Archive Pilot'
• 2018 MN GIS/LIS 28th Conference; Duluth, Minnesota. Poster Display; 'Archiving Committee 2018 Stakeholder Survey'
• 2018 MN GIS/LIS 28th Conference; Duluth, Minnesota. Webmap Display; 'Energy Pollution Mitigation: Climate Justice and Renewable Energy Development in Minnesota'
• 2016 MN GIS/LIS 26th Conference; Duluth, Minnesota. Webmap Display; 'Metropolitan Transitways with Population Density of Ethnic Minority Groups 2000-2010'
• 2015 MN GIS/LIS 25th Conference; Duluth, Minnesota. Poster Display; 'Inver Grove Heights Community Solar Gardens: Site-potential GIS-based Assessment'
• 2014 The 12th Biennial Scientific Conference; Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming. Poster Display; 'Beaver habitat suitability estimates: GIS-based adapted assessment for the Madison Valley Watershed'
• 2010 Emerging Issues Along Urban/Rural Interfaces III Conference, Atlanta, Georgia. Poster Display; 'A participatory mapping exercise in land owner preferences toward exurban development in three communities of southwest Montana and northeast Idaho'
• 2005 (First Place Professional Poster) URISA GIS User’s Conference, ISU, Pocatello. Landscape connectivity and land-use conflicts: Identifying priority areas for conservation.
• 2004 Permanent educational display installation. Lone Mountain Ranch, Big Sky, Montana. Permanent Display Installation; 'The Lone Mountain Ranch: Patron of western ecology'

Peer-Reviewed Publication

• Bontrager, Andra, Heidi Kretser, Nancy Connelly, and Kirsten Leong. 2017. “Conservation Opportunity and Risk Mapping for Carnivores Using Landowner Survey Data from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, USA.” The Professional Geographer, Volume 69, Issue 2, Pages 225-238.

Professional and Technical Reports

• Gerber, Darrell, and Andra Bontrager, 2017. Conservation Practices to Reduce Nitrogen in Minnesota’s Surface Waters: Today and Tomorrow. Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Saint Paul, Minnesota.
• Bontrager, Andra. 2016. Draft Phase I DNR Public Waters Inventory: Proposed Buffers GIS‐based Assessment. Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Saint Paul, Minnesota.
• Bontrager, Andra. 2015. City of Inver Grove Heights: Assessment of Best Management Practices for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4). Inventory report. City of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota.
• Bontrager, Andra. 2013. Mapping Large Landscape Integrity of the Iinnii Tribal Lands for Bison Conservation Potential. Wildlife Conservation Society, Yellowstone Rockies Program, Bozeman, Montana.
• Bontrager, Andra. 2013. Mapping Large Landscape Integrity for Bison Conservation Potential in the Lands of the Oglala Sioux Parks and Recreation Authority. Wildlife Conservation Society, Yellowstone Rockies Program, Bozeman, Montana.
• Strindberg, Samantha, Kris Inman, Andra Bontrager, and Robert Inman. 2012. Monitoring Backcountry Winter Recreation with Aerial Photography and Occupancy Methods. Report to the Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee and Bridger-Teton, Caribou-Targhee, Gallatin, and Shoshone National Forests, Montana.
• Bontrager, Andra. 2012. Beaver Habitat Suitability Model Estimates for the Madison Valley Watershed. Wildlife Conservation Society, Yellowstone Program, Bozeman, Montana.
• Brock, Brent L., Eric C. Atkinson, Craig Groves, Andra Bontrager (Toivola), Tom Olenicki, and Lance Craighead. 2006. A Wildlife Conservation Assessment of the Madison Valley, Montana. Wildlife Conservation Society, Yellowstone Program, Bozeman, Montana.
• Brock, Brent L., Andra Bontrager (Toivola), and Craig Groves. 2005. High-quality Wildlife Connectivity Areas in the Madison Valley Watershed. Wildlife Conservation Society, Yellowstone Program, Bozeman, Montana.
• Bontrager (Toivola), Andra. 2004. The KT Ranch: Lessons in Western Ecology. The Big Sky Institute for Science & Natural History, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana.

Select Published Maps

• Bontrager (Toivola), Andra. Chapter Map [MAP]. In: Chester, Charles C., Jodi A. Hilty, and Wendy L. Francis. "Yellowstone to Yukon, North America." In Climate and Conservation: Landscape and Seascape Science, Planning, and Action. pp. 240-252. Island Press/Center for Resource Economics, 2012. Figure 19.2, Pg. 242.
• Bontrager (Toivola), Andra. Article Map [MAP]. In: Quammen, David. "Great Migrations". National Geographic: Mysteries of Great Migrations, November 2010. Pg 48.
• Bontrager (Toivola), Andra. Complete Map Series [MAP]. In: Berger, Joel. The Better to Eat You With: Fear in the Animal World. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2008. Pgs. Inside Cover, 7, 43, 85, 95, 115, 129, 151, 161, 175, 195, 219, 237.
• Bontrager (Toivola), Andra. Chapter Maps [MAP]. In: Hilty, Jodi A., William Z. Lidicker, Jr., and Adina M. Merenlender. Corridor Ecology: The Science & Practice of Linking Landscapes for Biodiversity Conservation. Washington D.C.: Island Press, 2006. Pgs. 23, 266.