Molly Burhans delivered a talk titled Faith-Based Organizations and GIS at the GIS for a Sustainable World conference, hosted by UNITAR’s Operational Satellite Application Programme (UNOSAT) and ESRI. Her presentation showcased the pivotal role of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in advancing the missions of faith-based organizations, with a focus on global sustainability and ecological stewardship.
Burhans shared case studies from her projects, illustrating how GIS technology was used to map and analyze vast networks of faith-based properties, assess their ecological and social impacts, and develop actionable strategies for sustainable land management. She also highlighted impact metrics that demonstrated the effectiveness of these initiatives in promoting conservation, community engagement, and equitable resource allocation. The talk emphasized the potential of GIS to empower faith-based organizations in driving transformative global change through data-driven decision-making.