2026.01 - Mapping BayGeo Membership

Submissions open July 10 – August 14, 2026

Overview

The BayGeo Open Map Challenge is a recurring open call celebrating the full range of mapping skills - from data management and cartographic craft to creativity and visual clarity. Each edition features a new dataset and theme, inviting the GIS and mapping community to apply their skills to real-world problems and earn recognition for their skills.

Selected maps will be featured on the BayGeo website with full cartographer credit, putting your work in front of the broader GIS and mapping community. Along with a shareable portfolio piece, selected mappers will also receive BayGeo membership and swag to call their own.

This inaugural edition challenges participants to work with the BayGeo membership registry - a real-world dataset requiring cleaning, interpretation, and thoughtful decision-making to produce a map that tells a story about who (and where) our BayGeo community is.

Who Can Enter

• Open to anyone - BayGeo membership not required

• One submission per participant

• Judges are not eligible to enter

Submission Tracks

• Emerging Mapper Track

  • Current students or recent graduates

  • Fewer than 2 years of professional GIS experience (internships, research assistantships, job experience, etc. where GIS was an essential component)

• Open Track - all experience levels

• Notes:

  • Participants must select one track at submission

  • Emerging Mappers are encouraged to challenge themselves in the Open Track

The Dataset

• A subsample of BayGeo membership data, provided at zip code level

• Select attributes included: Account type and Enrollment year (some records incomplete)

• All records have been anonymized; location information is limited to zip code granularity

• Notes

  • Data requires cleaning and interpretation — this is intentional and reflects real-world GIS work

  • Decisions such as how to handle non-CA members are left to the participant and must be documented

  • This dataset is provided for use solely in connection with the BayGeo Open Map Challenge 2026.01 and may not be redistributed or used for any other purpose

Format

• Any GIS software or platform permitted (note AI guidelines below)

  • Do not use basemap-only tools (Google Maps, Bing Maps) as your primary cartographic platform - copyright restrictions appl

• Data sources must be properly cited

• Static maps and interactive/web maps are both accepted

Static maps:

• Submit as PNG or PDF

• recommended size 24×36 inches at 150 DPI

• maximum file size 20MB

Interactive maps:

• Must be publicly accessible via URL - no login required to view

Submission Requirements

All submissions must include the following via the submission form:

• Full name and contact email

• Current job title and organization/institution (or 'Student' if applicable)

• Years of professional GIS experience 

• Track selection: Emerging Mapper or Open Track

• Format selection: Static or Interactive

• Map title

• Approach description: brief summary of your methodology and data decisions (250 words max)

• Data sources list

• Static maps: file upload (PNG or PDF, max 20 MB)

• Interactive maps: public URL

• Rights agreement: by submitting, you grant BayGeo the right to display and reuse your map on the BayGeo website and for promotional purposes, with full cartographer credit retained

AI Policy

• AI tools may be used for data analysis, cleaning, and processing, but must be documented in the workflow

• The map itself (its design, cartographic decisions, and visual output) must be the work of the participant

• AI-generated maps will be disqualified

Timeline

• July 10 | Challenge opens; dataset available

• July 27 - 31 | Optional participant office hours / Q&A [details TBD]

• August 14 | Submission deadline

• September 11 | Winners announced at the BayGeo Education Summit

Judging Criteria

Entries will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Data Handling | Were cleaning decisions thoughtful and documented? Were sources cited?

• Cartographic Design | Is the map clear, legible, and visually intentional?

• Craft & Completeness | Is the work polished and complete?

Not all submissions will be featured. A curated selection will be published on the BayGeo website following the announcement.

Recognition

• At least one submission per track (Emerging Mapper and Open) will be selected by the judging panel, to be featured on the BayGeo website with full cartographer credit

• Featured mappers will also receive BayGeo swag and a one-year BayGeo membership

• Additional honorable mentions may be awarded at the panels discretion, and may also receive a website feature, swag, and/or membership

Questions?

Contact us at: mapchallenge@baygeo.org

Learn more at: https://www.baygeo.org/