Heat Mapping Volunteers Needed!
Groundwork Milwaukee is partnering with the Wisconsin DNR, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, and several other local organizations in an urban heat mapping project this summer. Thanks to an application submitted by the DNR forestry division, Milwaukee was chosen along with 13 other cities across the country to receive heat sensor equipment, logistical support, and data analysis by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and CAPA Strategies in 2022 for a summer day of people-powered mapping action. This means we’ll be recruiting volunteers to drive planned routes with sensors on their vehicles a few times during one of the hottest projected days of this summer. (The date in this event post is an estimate. The actual date will probably be in July, but is determined by a meteorologist. TBD - stay tuned!) This data can be used to better understand the disproportionately high temps in some residential areas, and around schools and other populated areas in the city. With this information, city leaders and organizations can take measures to ensure safety for all Milwaukeeans on hot days, especially as we experience more extreme weather conditions due to climate change. This is a citizen science project. We need your help!
What will volunteers do? Volunteers are needed to drive along predetermined routes in the City of Milwaukee over three separate one-hour periods during a hot day. Volunteers will use a simple data-collection device attached to the vehicle. You can also volunteer as a navigator and help direct drivers’ turns along their route.
Are there any requirements to volunteer? Drivers will need a valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and access to a vehicle. In addition to the three hours of data collection, volunteers will first be asked to attend a virtual one-hour Volunteer Training Session, complete a short knowledge quiz, and sign a liability waiver. Based on previous campaigns, volunteers will spend a total of about 5 to 6 hours on the project, though the majority of time (~4 hours) will occur on the selected campaign day.
On what day will the heat mapping campaign occur? That will depend on the weather forecast. Heat mapping is best done on a hot and clear-skied day. Using historical weather patterns, and support from the National Weather Service, we are looking at a July or August date. While weather does change, this selected campaign date will be confirmed about one week prior, as forecasts become more reliable.
Because we must wait for the heat—and the fact that summer is such a busy time—we need to assemble an “on-call” roster of volunteers -- which means that we’ll want more people signing up than we need. We will confirm your participation about one week prior to the campaign once we finalize the date.
Please note that signing up does not commit you to the project. Rather the process will begin by building out a roster of potential volunteers, and confirmation will occur about one week in advance.
If you are interested in participating in this opportunity, or would like to learn more, please respond to this Volunteer Interest Form.