Why This Matters
Environmental harm doesn’t just live in policy briefs or sensor data — it’s visible from the air.
Aerial imagery allows us to witness the patterns of land loss, pollution, and displacement that might otherwise remain invisible. With care and consent, drone data becomes a tool not of surveillance, but of storytelling — a way to document, advocate, and protect.
Context & Intention
Scenario: A hypothetical rural area is facing long-term land degradation due to industrial dumping and unauthorized construction. Local residents suspect environmental violations — but have no proof that’s legible to regulators.
Objective: Use drone and GIS tools to generate visual evidence of environmental harm and create compelling, community-centered narratives around its impact.
Ethical Considerations:
- Community Consent: Never collect data without buy-in from the people most affected.
- Regulatory Compliance: Drone flights follow FAA Part 107 rules (Andrea is certified).
- Transparency: The resulting maps, models, and insights should be open and accessible.
Tools & Methods
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| DJI Mavic 2 Pro | Capture high-resolution aerial photos and video |
| OpenDroneMap (ODM) | Stitch imagery into 2D/3D spatial models |
| QGIS | Analyze spatial patterns, elevation, and boundaries |
| FIELDimageR (R pkg) | Detect vegetation loss and land use shifts |
| EPA EJScreen | Contextualize with known environmental justice data |
Flight + Data Processing
Flight Planning
- Defined grid paths with 80% overlap for optimal photogrammetry.
- Captured at 60–120 meters AGL for resolution and area coverage balance.
Image Capture
- Flew under Part 107 in safe weather conditions with clear line of sight.
- Used both nadir and oblique angles for layered analysis.
Data Processing
- Processed with OpenDroneMap for orthophotos and digital elevation models (DEMs).
- Georeferenced outputs were imported into QGIS for layer-based analysis.
What We Found
Vegetation Loss
Significant dieback near the suspected dumping zone, confirmed with NDVI analysis in FIELDimageR.
Terrain Disruption
Subtle grade changes and erosion patterns suggesting earth moving or runoff activity.
Proximity Risks
Mapped residential homes within 250 meters of affected land — potential health and legal risks.
Why This Matters for Advocacy
Visual data is persuasive in a way that reports often aren’t.
Maps and elevation models can:
- Raise awareness among residents and media
- Serve as exhibits in community hearings
- Pressure local agencies to intervene
When paired with stories and context, this data becomes legible power.
Your Own Toolkit
Interested in replicating this process? Here’s where to start:
- Drone Setup: DJI Mavic 2 Pro or equivalent. Ensure FAA Part 107 certification.
- OpenDroneMap: Free, open-source, and fully local — no cloud upload required.
- QGIS: Professional-grade GIS software, also open-source.
- Ethics First: Always center consent, transparency, and accountability to those impacted.
Resources
In Closing
This work is speculative, but the tools — and the stakes — are real.
Drones don’t just capture damage; they help communities defend what’s theirs. In the hands of organizers, mappers, and designers, aerial data becomes a language of justice.
Interested in building your own drone storytelling workflow? Let’s talk.