Each year the National Geographic Society sponsors a number of cartography awards to support up-and-coming student map-makers. Today, I’d like to introduce you to Sarah Graves, a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who won first prize in the Association of American Geographers-National Geographic Award in Mapping with her map, The Value of America’s Forests. Her prize: $900 and a National Geographic 9th Edition Atlas of the World. Sarah shared her map and a few reflections on her background and interest in maps and visualizations.

Where are you from?
I was born and raised in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-Saint Paul) of Minnesota. For most of my life I’ve lived in the town of Minnetonka, a suburb of Minneapolis.

Name one or more dream jobs.
A forest ecologist. My dream is to have a job researching forests and educating others on the value of preserving these ecosystems.

Who is your favorite geographer, map-maker, scientist, or adventurer?
I wish I could say that I have a favorite! I am marveled by the type of work people are doing across all disciplines to understand, protect, and teach others about preserving ecosystems. I am especially inspired by those who are taking science out of academic institutions and making information available to decision-makers and to the public.

Continue reading “The Value of America’s Forests: A Prize-Winning Map”