CEMML’S Connor Wojtowicz, Jacqueline Maher, and Brooke Bartlett examine soil samples at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station to determine what colors and textures they have. Photo courtesy of Dani Steger. BY JENNIFER HOFFMAN
In the early dawn hours, CEMML’s Vegetation Mapping crew stands in the marshy waters at Florida’s Patrick Space Force Base, collecting sediment samples, documenting water levels, and tracking data on the ever-shifting wetland boundaries.
This fieldwork eventually became part of a larger effort already underway at CEMML for the U.S. Air Force. A multi-year USAF-wide initiative, which began in 2014, has broadened into a $10 million Environmental GIS program in partnership with CEMML.
At PSFB, the CEMML team was tasked with creating a wetland delineation map for the installation’s 2,300 acres. This specialized form of ecological mapping documents the boundaries of wetland areas and their unique ecosystems. The CEMML team faced the complexities of differing soil types, water tables, and vegetation on PSFB. Their work eventually resulted in the creation of a team of specialized experts at CEMML to provide field studies, GIS analyses, and comprehensive maps. These deliverables help Air Force installations make decisions on projects like runway expansions and meet legal requirements such as compliance with the Clean Water Act.
The PSFB project had lingered on the back burner for some years, due to the base’s large size, the complexity of its hydrology, and the need for specialized training. Then, the Geographic Information Systems team at CEMML stepped in. “We had been hearing about the need for wetland delineation at Patrick for quite a while,” said Valerie Milmore, CEMML’s environmental GIS project manager. “It felt like the right time to take it on, and when we did, the feedback we got underscored the value of this work.”
CEMML had started an environmental GIS program for the Air Force around 2014. A few years later, the program expanded to include vegetation mapping, then added the Wetland Delineation program around 2021. Today, CEMML’s environmental GIS program supports over 100 Air Force installations and employs more than 65 staff members, including 4 to 6 wetland delineation specialists.
“Wetland delineation is both science and art,” said Jim Olech, CEMML vegetation mapping specialist. “You’re looking for specific indicators in the field: soil type, hydrology, and vegetation, which confirm that you’re in a wetland area. It’s about understanding these ecosystems in detail to manage military impacts responsibly.”
Wetland management isn’t just concerned with compliance with federal laws, like the Clean Water Act; members of the GIS team and CEMML’s Natural Resources management team also point out that it is invaluable for military mission readiness, especially when new infrastructure projects are considered.
“We are very happy with the wetlands products that we received for Patrick Space Force Base, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and Malabar Transmitter Annex,” said Keitha Dattilo-Bain, natural resources program manager at the installation. “It was truly a team effort between CEMML employees Dani Steger, Jacqueline Maher, Brooke Bartlett and me for this almost two-year process. The updated wetlands data is useful almost daily for project site-plan reviews, INRMP maps, our prescribed-burn program, and our habitat restoration program, among others.”
“For the Air Force, it’s about avoiding delays as well as protecting the environment,” said Olech. “They want to know upfront where wetlands are, so if they’re expanding a runway or responding to a spill, they can do it smartly.The data we collect helps commanders make the decisions that balance environmental stewardship with operational readiness. “
The Patrick SFB project brought together a diverse team from CEMML, including analysts and specialists who provided GIS and ecological mapping support from remote locations. “It was a real collaborative effort,” Milmore said. “It showed that our team, which specializes in vegetation mapping, had grown its capabilities and expertise to tackle this kind of work independently. That was a big deal.”
As CEMML’s environmental GIS program expanded, so did the importance of consistent documentation. The team maintains vast amounts of data and adds a visual layer of photographs to augment numbers and maps. With the expansion of this program, it became important to safeguard both the data and the visual documentation for future reference.
“We’re heading into field season, so we’ll take photos as we go,” said Senior Vegetation Mapping Analyst Dani Steger. “That kind of visual documentation helps show what this work looks like in practice, and it’s not just dots on a map. It’s real, tangible landscapes we’re helping to protect.”
The GIS team has also received recognition from Air Force personnel, which proves just how useful this team’s project has been.
“That feedback means a lot,” Steger said. “It shows us how the data we provide is being used — not just for compliance, but for real planning decisions.”
This wetland delineation at Patrick has evolved into a key part of CEMML’s broader environmental services portfolio for the U.S. military. As demand for CEMML’s expertise in spatial data management and wetland assessment grows, one thing is clear: the team’s work has become a mission-critical asset to military operations.
The environmental GIS team’s process for wetland delineation is becoming a model for military installations across the Department of Defense’s vast network of lands. “We didn’t set out thinking this would scale,” said Milmore. “But that first project at Patrick SFB was really a launchpad. It helped us build capacity, prove our approach, and show the real value of this work. And now, we’re able to bring that expertise to installations across the country.”