Mapping the great outdoors

Lesley Johnson creates maps to help us explore Canada’s nature trails, as manager of geographic information system (GIS) mapping for Trans Canada Trail.

By Patricia Lane &  Lesley Johnson

These in-their-own-words pieces are told to Patricia Lane and co-edited with input from the interviewee for the purpose of brevity.

Lesley Johnson creates maps to help us explore Canada’s nature trails. As manager of geographic information system (GIS) mapping for Trans Canada Trail, this 31-year-old Montrealer leads a team that provides decision-makers with advice about existing trail maintenance and enhancement, and new trails.

Tell us about your work.

Trans Canada Trail looks after over 28,000 kilometres of nature trails connecting Canada’s three coasts. We make it increasingly easy for the public to enjoy them. This might involve adding culturally relevant information at places along the trail - for example, the history of Black people in Canada. Or we might display some history of the Lachine Canal beside it on the trail. We also provide decision-makers with information about which parts of the trail can be made more accessible to persons with disabilities.

We identify gaps in the network with the goal of making it available to everyone.