HOW STATES DIFFER

Introduction to 50+ Course Examples for Land Surveyors: Tailoring Education to Your State's Needs

As a land surveyor, the regulations, challenges, and tools you encounter can vary significantly depending on the state where you practice. From coastal management in Florida to wind energy surveys in South Dakota, the professional landscape of land surveying is shaped by local geography, laws, and environmental conditions. That’s why continuing education courses should be tailored not only to the general principles of surveying but also to the unique requirements of each region.

In this post, we’ll dive into 30 examples of continuing education courses that illustrate just how varied the profession can be from state to state. These examples show how the L.E.A.R.N. program empowers land surveyors to craft courses that reflect their specific experiences and local expertise. Each course idea takes into account the unique legal frameworks, natural landscapes, and technical challenges surveyors face across different states, encouraging you to develop courses that directly impact the surveying community where you work.

Whether you’re navigating riparian rights along the Mississippi River or surveying large tracts of forested land in Oregon, these examples will inspire you to contribute to the education of future land surveyors by sharing your specialized knowledge. And with the L.E.A.R.N. program, you can even build a course from scratch or adapt these outlines to your state’s regulations and industry needs.

Beyond providing value to your peers, the L.E.A.R.N. program offers a way for land surveyors to stay active in the profession even post-retirement, sharing decades of experience while earning a steady income through continuing education. Through initiatives like the 30-Day Challenge, you can begin assembling your own course content, collecting and submitting evidence that will eventually lead to a SCORM-compliant course—one that meets the standards of governing bodies like the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) and state-specific boards.

Let’s explore these 30 course examples, each designed to highlight the diverse and critical role of land surveyors across the country. We encourage you to view these outlines as starting points for writing your own course, addressing the specific demands of your state, and continuing to shape the future of the surveying profession.

Introduction to 30 Course Examples for Land Surveyors: Tailoring Education to Your State's Needs

Curated for the L.E.A.R.N Surveying Program with NSPS and Land Surveyors United

20 Course Examples:

Wetlands Delineation and Regulation
Louisiana: With an extensive network of wetlands, surveyors in Louisiana need to be proficient in delineating wetlands for projects, understanding how to comply with environmental regulations, and navigating permitting processes.
Michigan: Wetlands in Michigan are crucial for biodiversity and protecting water quality. Surveyors here focus on compliance with both state and federal wetland laws, with special attention on protecting inland freshwater wetlands.

Seismic and Earthquake Surveying
California: Given its high seismic activity, California surveyors must be well-versed in seismic safety standards, fault line identification, and how to survey for earthquake-resistant construction.
Nevada: Although also prone to seismic activity, Nevada surveyors might focus more on surveying remote areas and mining regions, ensuring infrastructure can withstand earthquakes in desert environments.

Coastal Erosion and Shoreline Surveying
North Carolina: Coastal erosion is a critical issue along the Outer Banks, and surveyors in North Carolina need to focus on shoreline mapping, coastal infrastructure protection, and compliance with state regulations on coastal construction.
Hawaii: In Hawaii, coastal erosion courses would also address volcanic activity's impact on coastlines, with a focus on how to monitor and protect coastal properties and public lands from both erosion and lava flow impacts.

Mountain and Elevation Surveys
Colorado: In Colorado, where the Rocky Mountains dominate the landscape, courses would emphasize elevation mapping, contour line creation, and how to deal with snowmelt and erosion in mountainous areas.
West Virginia: Surveyors in West Virginia would focus more on Appalachian terrain, addressing how to work with rugged, forested landscapes and the coal mining industry’s impact on land development.

Urban Redevelopment and Land Use Planning
New York: Surveyors in densely populated areas like New York City must navigate complex urban redevelopment projects, with courses focusing on rezoning, public infrastructure development, and working with historical preservation requirements.
Illinois: In cities like Chicago, the focus would be on large-scale infrastructure projects such as highways, bridges, and public transportation systems, ensuring accurate land use planning and compliance with municipal regulations.

Agricultural Land Surveying
Kansas: In the Midwest, where agriculture dominates, surveyors would need courses on farmland assessment, irrigation mapping, and property boundaries that take into account crop rotation and soil conservation practices.
California: Agricultural surveying in California would differ by focusing on high-value crops, irrigation efficiency, and managing land use in areas like the Central Valley, where water scarcity is a key issue.

Mineral Rights and Mining Surveys
Nevada: In Nevada, mineral rights are a critical component of land use. Courses would cover the survey of mining claims, mineral extraction sites, and navigating Bureau of Land Management regulations.
Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania’s mining courses would be more focused on coal mining, land subsidence issues, and historical mine boundary surveys to avoid overlap with new development projects.

Renewable Energy Site Surveys
Texas: With Texas being a leader in wind energy, courses here would emphasize surveying for wind farm development, including placement of turbines and access roads across vast, open landscapes.
Florida: In Florida, renewable energy courses would focus on solar farm placement, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and determining ideal locations for maximizing solar energy production.

Pipeline and Utility Corridor Surveys
Alaska: Surveyors in Alaska would deal with remote locations and extreme weather conditions when mapping utility corridors for oil pipelines, requiring specialized knowledge in wilderness navigation and environmental protection.
Oklahoma: Oklahoma surveyors would focus more on energy infrastructure, including oil and gas pipelines, emphasizing compliance with both federal and tribal land regulations.

Historic Preservation Surveys
Virginia: Virginia is rich in historical sites, and courses here would teach surveyors how to map and preserve historical properties, working closely with historians and archaeologists to maintain site integrity.
Massachusetts: In Massachusetts, surveyors might focus on preserving colonial-era sites, balancing modern development with the need to protect historically significant structures and landscapes.

Public Land Survey System (PLSS) Mastery
Wyoming: Wyoming, with its vast public lands, requires surveyors to master the PLSS, focusing on sectional subdivision, township ranges, and how to work with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
North Dakota: Similarly, North Dakota surveyors would focus on sectional surveys, but with an emphasis on farmland distribution, oil extraction, and navigating federal land ownership issues.

Surveying for Environmental Conservation
Oregon: In Oregon, courses would focus on land surveying for environmental conservation projects, including forest preservation, habitat protection, and working with state and federal agencies to balance land use with environmental protection.
Florida: Florida surveyors would focus more on wetland conservation, the Everglades, and protecting coastal habitats from development pressures while ensuring sustainable land use.

Geothermal and Volcanic Land Surveys
Hawaii: In Hawaii, courses on geothermal and volcanic surveying would focus on monitoring lava flows, geothermal energy sites, and ensuring safe development near active volcanic areas.
California: In California, geothermal surveys would address how to map and develop sites for renewable energy extraction, particularly in regions like the Imperial Valley.

Surveying for Major Infrastructure Projects
Texas: In Texas, courses would focus on surveying for massive infrastructure projects such as highways, oil refineries, and cross-state energy transmission, with an emphasis on large-scale land use and environmental impact studies.
Ohio: Surveying in Ohio would emphasize infrastructure related to manufacturing hubs and transportation corridors, including roadways, rail systems, and industrial development.

Wildfire Risk and Post-Fire Surveys
California: In wildfire-prone areas like California, courses would focus on post-fire land recovery surveys, hazard mitigation, and how to assess property boundaries and public infrastructure damage.
Montana: In Montana, surveyors would similarly need to focus on wildfire risk, but with an emphasis on forested areas and public lands, navigating state fire recovery regulations and land rehabilitation practices.

Flood Risk Assessment and River Basin Surveys
Mississippi: Surveyors in Mississippi would focus heavily on flood risk assessment along the Mississippi River, learning how to map floodplains, levees, and agricultural land subject to river flooding.
Illinois: Illinois courses would focus on river basin management, especially around the Chicago and Illinois River systems, emphasizing flood mitigation in urbanized areas.

Winter Surveys and Snow Mapping
Minnesota: In Minnesota, surveyors would need specialized training on winter surveys, including snow and ice measurements, property boundary identification in snowy conditions, and mitigating the effects of snowmelt on land use.
Colorado: Surveyors in Colorado would focus more on high-altitude snow surveys, avalanche risk mapping, and assessing how snow affects mountainous terrain stability.

Utility Line Surveying
Washington: With Washington's heavy reliance on hydropower, surveyors would focus on mapping utility lines for electrical transmission from hydroelectric plants to urban centers.
Alabama: In Alabama, the focus would be on surveying utility lines for electrical and natural gas transmission, with an emphasis on maintaining safety and compliance with local regulations.

Airport and Airfield Surveying
Georgia: Atlanta’s role as a major air travel hub requires surveyors to specialize in airfield expansion, runway mapping, and ensuring compliance with FAA regulations.
Alaska: In Alaska, surveyors work on remote airstrips essential for transportation between isolated communities, focusing on runway safety and proper drainage in rugged terrain.

Oil and Gas Extraction Surveys
Texas: Surveying for oil and gas extraction in Texas is a critical skill, with courses focusing on leasing, mineral rights, and ensuring pipelines and drilling sites are compliant with federal and state regulations.
Pennsylvania: In Pennsylvania, surveyors would focus on land impacted by natural gas fracking, mapping well pads, and ensuring safe land reclamation after extraction activities are completed.

10 More Examples You Might Not Expect:

Landslide Risk Assessment and Mitigation
Washington: With its steep terrain and heavy rainfall, Washington is prone to landslides. Surveyors would focus on mapping landslide-prone areas, conducting risk assessments, and mitigating landslide impacts on infrastructure.
Tennessee: In Tennessee, surveyors would focus more on landslide risks in the Appalachian Mountains, specifically in rural areas, addressing how to prevent slope instability in residential and commercial developments.

Coastal Infrastructure and Sea-Level Rise
Florida: As sea-level rise is a major concern in Florida, surveyors would take courses on coastal infrastructure planning, flood barriers, and the environmental impact of sea walls. They would also focus on developing flood mitigation strategies in response to increasing hurricane activity.
New Jersey: In New Jersey, coastal infrastructure courses would emphasize the impact of Nor’easters and how to protect public and private property along the Jersey Shore through dune restoration, flood mapping, and infrastructure resilience.

Subdivisions and Urban Planning
Nevada: Nevada surveyors deal with rapid urbanization in cities like Las Vegas. Courses would focus on subdividing large parcels of desert land for housing, commercial properties, and recreational areas, while managing water rights and environmental sustainability.
Michigan: In Michigan, surveyors would focus more on suburban development near the Great Lakes, ensuring compliance with environmental protections and public access to water, while balancing urban growth with conservation.

Riparian Rights and Water Boundary Surveys
Missouri: With major rivers like the Mississippi and Missouri cutting through the state, Missouri surveyors need to be adept at conducting riparian boundary surveys. Courses here would emphasize water rights, shifting river boundaries, and state regulations on land adjoining waterways.
Louisiana: Riparian rights courses in Louisiana would be more focused on surveying along bayous and wetlands, where shifting water boundaries due to subsidence and erosion create unique challenges for determining property lines.

Surveying for Renewable Energy Projects
South Dakota: In South Dakota, surveyors would focus on mapping land for wind energy projects, especially in the vast, open plains. These courses would cover wind turbine placement, land leasing, and environmental impact assessments.
Nevada: In Nevada, courses on renewable energy would focus more on solar farms, with surveyors learning about optimal site selection, transmission line surveying, and minimizing environmental disruptions in the desert ecosystem.

Surveying for Land Conservation and Preservation
Montana: With vast tracts of public land and national parks, Montana surveyors would focus on conservation efforts, working closely with state and federal agencies to map out land preservation projects, habitat corridors, and areas for public recreational use.
Florida: In Florida, land conservation surveys would focus more on wetland and mangrove preservation, especially in areas like the Everglades, where surveyors must balance development with environmental protection efforts.

Brownfield Site Redevelopment Surveys
Ohio: Surveyors in Ohio would deal with post-industrial brownfield sites, conducting surveys for redevelopment projects. These courses would cover the legal and environmental challenges of redeveloping contaminated land for new commercial or residential uses.
New Jersey: In New Jersey, surveyors would focus on similar brownfield challenges but with an emphasis on redeveloping urban industrial zones, addressing contamination clean-up, and mapping out infrastructure upgrades in heavily populated areas.

Boundary Dispute Resolution
New Mexico: In New Mexico, boundary disputes often arise over ranch land and large rural parcels. Surveyors would focus on how to resolve disputes through historical research, proper documentation of original surveys, and clear communication with landowners.
Massachusetts: In Massachusetts, boundary dispute resolution would focus more on urban areas, where disputes between neighbors or between private and public landowners frequently arise. These courses would emphasize legal frameworks, historical property lines, and the complexities of colonial-era boundaries.

Surveying for Transportation Infrastructure
Georgia: In Georgia, surveyors would take courses focused on highway and rail system expansions, including mapping large transportation corridors and ensuring compliance with federal and state transportation regulations.
Colorado: In Colorado, transportation infrastructure surveys would emphasize mountain roads, tunnels, and avalanche-prone areas. Surveyors would focus on safety concerns, environmental impact assessments, and terrain mapping in challenging high-altitude environments.

Surveying for Oil and Gas Pipelines

North Dakota: In North Dakota, courses would focus on surveying for oil pipelines, with an emphasis on navigating Native American land claims, mineral rights, and environmental regulations for drilling sites.

Alaska: In Alaska, surveyors would deal with extreme environmental conditions, with courses covering oil and gas pipelines across frozen tundra, dealing with permafrost, and ensuring infrastructure is built to withstand harsh weather and seismic activity.

Let’s Make Sure We Cover All of them:

1. Archaeological Site Preservation

New Mexico: Surveyors in New Mexico may encounter ancient ruins and artifacts, making it crucial to understand archaeological preservation laws. A course here would emphasize how surveyors must balance development with preserving historical sites.

Vermont: In Vermont, the focus shifts to colonial-era ruins and historical preservation, requiring surveyors to understand the nuances of state-specific laws related to historical land ownership and conservation efforts.

2. Permafrost and Surveying in Cold Climates

Alaska: Surveyors in Alaska face challenges due to permafrost, requiring specialized knowledge of soil behavior and its impact on construction projects. A course here would focus on foundation design and land stability.

Maine: While Maine doesn’t have permafrost like Alaska, its cold climate and rocky terrain pose unique challenges. A course for surveyors here might focus on techniques for working in frozen ground conditions and forested regions.

3. Navigating Water Boundaries

Delaware: With Delaware’s proximity to tidal waters, surveyors must have a deep understanding of riparian rights and the changing boundaries of land due to shifting shorelines. A course here would cover how to handle disputes and changes in property lines caused by erosion.

Nebraska: In Nebraska, water boundary courses focus more on rivers and streams, especially with the Missouri River forming the state boundary. The course would cover topics like accretion, reliction, and how boundaries shift with water movements.

4. Coastal Erosion and Zoning

Hawaii: Hawaii presents challenges of volcanic activity and coastal erosion, requiring surveyors to understand how these natural forces alter land boundaries. A course here would cover how to measure and mitigate the effects of both coastal erosion and lava flows.

Mississippi: In Mississippi, the issue of coastal erosion is more connected to hurricanes and tropical storms. Surveyors must understand the implications of storm surges and how FEMA’s flood mapping affects rebuilding efforts post-storm.

5. Land Subsidence and Sinkholes

Kentucky: Kentucky has one of the highest rates of sinkhole formation due to its karst topography. A specialized course would teach surveyors to detect early signs of sinkholes and how to conduct land stability assessments.

West Virginia: Similarly, West Virginia’s mountainous terrain is prone to landslides and subsidence. Surveyors here would need a course that focuses on recognizing land movement risks and ensuring safe land development.

6. Wildlife Conservation and Protected Lands

Michigan: Michigan surveyors need to be aware of its extensive forest preserves and protected wildlife areas. Courses here could cover how surveying interacts with conservation efforts and the importance of adhering to state and federal conservation laws.

Montana: In Montana, vast stretches of protected wilderness mean that surveyors must account for wildlife migration patterns and environmental impact assessments. A course here would address how to balance infrastructure development with wildlife preservation.

7. Mining Land Surveys

Nevada: With Nevada being a hub for mining operations, a course would need to cover land rights and mineral claims. Surveyors must understand the differences between surface land ownership and subsurface mineral rights, ensuring accurate documentation of mining claims.

New Hampshire: In New Hampshire, mining survey courses would focus more on granite quarries and how these operations impact nearby landowners and water tables.

8. Drought Management and Irrigation Surveys

Idaho: With much of Idaho’s land used for agriculture, surveyors must be knowledgeable in irrigation systems. A course here would focus on the design and maintenance of irrigation channels and compliance with state water rights.

Utah: Similarly, Utah surveyors need to account for drought conditions when planning large-scale irrigation projects. Courses here would explore how to plan for water conservation while meeting the needs of growing agricultural regions.

9. Topographic Challenges in Mountainous States

Wyoming: Wyoming surveyors face topographic challenges due to the mountainous terrain. A course here would cover techniques for accurately surveying steep land and managing land boundaries in rugged areas.

Colorado: In Colorado, topographic surveys also play a significant role in land development, but with added complexities from snowfall and rockslides. A course would address how these environmental factors affect boundary markers and infrastructure projects.

10. Urban Development and Re-Zoning

Rhode Island: Rhode Island’s small but densely populated area requires surveyors to understand complex zoning laws, particularly in urban areas undergoing redevelopment. Courses here would focus on how to navigate urban re-zoning and redevelopment efforts while ensuring public access to coastal areas.

Indiana: Indiana’s urban development focus might lean towards revitalizing former industrial sites, so a course would cover how to manage land reuse in areas undergoing environmental remediation and new zoning regulations for residential or commercial developments.

11. Wind Energy Development Surveys

South Dakota: With South Dakota’s growing wind energy sector, surveyors need to understand how to manage land surveys for large-scale wind farms. A course here would focus on legal land use agreements, environmental impact assessments, and public access concerns.

Kansas: In Kansas, a similar course would cover the specific techniques for mapping large tracts of flat land, ensuring accurate data collection for the positioning of wind turbines, and understanding how land use laws differ from agricultural land.

12. Oil and Gas Pipeline Surveys

Oklahoma: With a high concentration of oil and gas infrastructure, surveyors in Oklahoma must be well-versed in pipeline easements, environmental regulations, and landowner rights. A course would focus on managing rights-of-way and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.

Louisiana: In Louisiana, oil and gas surveys often deal with swampy terrain and coastal areas. A specialized course would cover how to conduct surveys in waterlogged areas while ensuring accurate measurements for pipeline construction and maintenance.

13. Geothermal Energy Land Use

Nevada: Nevada’s geothermal activity makes it a prime location for renewable energy projects. A course would focus on geothermal land leases and the necessary surveying techniques to assess land for geothermal power stations.

Hawaii: In Hawaii, geothermal energy development is equally important, but surveys would also need to account for volcanic activity. Courses would cover how to assess land stability and ensure safe distances from active lava zones.

14. Farmland Conservation and Land Use

Iowa: As one of the largest agricultural states, Iowa’s courses would focus heavily on land conservation programs, understanding the intricacies of farmland surveys, and managing federal and state conservation easements.

North Dakota: In North Dakota, farmland conservation would similarly require expertise in managing land leases for large agricultural plots and understanding federal conservation incentives like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).

15. Surveying in Earthquake-Prone Zones

Missouri: Missouri sits near the New Madrid Seismic Zone, meaning surveyors here must understand how earthquakes impact land stability and boundary markers. Courses would cover seismic risks and how to manage survey data in regions prone to earthquakes.

Tennessee: Likewise, Tennessee surveyors also need to account for seismic risks, particularly in urban development. A course might focus on ensuring building codes align with seismic survey data to minimize risks in future construction projects.

16. Tourism and Coastal Management Surveys

South Carolina: With a booming tourism industry, surveyors in South Carolina need to manage both private and public access to beaches. Courses would focus on balancing beachfront development with state laws ensuring public access.

Alabama: In Alabama, the focus might be more on managing coastal erosion and flood zones. Surveyors would need to understand how to position new developments safely while adhering to FEMA guidelines for flood-prone areas.

17. Wetland Preservation and Land Surveys

New Jersey: Wetland preservation in New Jersey requires surveyors to know both state and federal laws about land development. A course here would teach how to navigate the dense regulations governing wetland protection and land use.

Minnesota: Minnesota’s wetlands require a similar focus, but with an emphasis on balancing agricultural land use with wetland conservation, particularly in rural areas. A course would explore techniques to mitigate environmental impact while expanding land use for farming.

18. Surveying for Renewable Energy Projects

New York: New York surveyors are increasingly involved in renewable energy projects, such as solar farms. A course here would focus on land use regulations, understanding local energy policies, and how to manage large-scale solar developments.

Connecticut: Similarly, surveyors in Connecticut are seeing growth in solar and wind projects. Courses here would emphasize compliance with local zoning laws, environmental impact reports, and balancing renewable energy development with land conservation efforts.

19. Navigating Indian Reservation Surveys

Oklahoma: Surveying in areas with Indian reservations presents unique legal challenges, especially around land ownership and jurisdiction. A course here would cover how to navigate these complex legal frameworks while respecting tribal sovereignty.

Montana: In Montana, Indian reservation surveys would focus more on land management for agricultural purposes, ensuring that surveyors understand both tribal and federal land use laws.

20. Forest Fire Damage and Re-Surveying

California: California’s ongoing forest fire risks make it critical for surveyors to understand how to re-establish boundaries after fire damage. A course would cover how to assess property lines and public land boundaries after fire devastation.

Oregon: Similarly, in Oregon, post-fire recovery courses would teach surveyors to work with forestry agencies and landowners to assess damage, re-survey land, and mitigate future

1. Wetland Delineation and Mapping

Wisconsin: Wisconsin has a large number of wetlands due to its many lakes, rivers, and marshlands. A course here would focus on delineating wetlands in relation to public and private land ownership. Topics might include compliance with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wetland regulations, the importance of wetlands for flood control, and techniques for mapping wetlands using aerial imagery and GIS.
Maryland: Maryland surveyors must focus heavily on wetland delineation due to the proximity to Chesapeake Bay. Courses would address the intricacies of coastal wetlands, tidal zones, and buffer regulations to protect water quality. Special attention is needed to navigate the state's strict environmental laws regarding coastal development and habitat protection.

2. Mining and Mineral Rights Surveys

Arizona: Arizona is home to numerous active and historic mining operations, making mineral rights and boundary surveying a critical skill. A continuing education course here might focus on techniques for staking claims, legal implications of mineral rights, and GPS applications for defining mining boundaries in rough terrain. Arizona's laws on mineral ownership and its impact on public versus private land use would also be key components.
Arkansas: While Arkansas has fewer mining operations than Arizona, courses here would focus more on surveys related to coal mining, bauxite, and other minerals found in the state. There might also be a focus on the environmental remediation aspects of post-mining land surveys, which are critical for reclamation projects.

3. Shoreline and Coastal Erosion Surveys

Wisconsin: Despite being a midwestern state, Wisconsin has a significant coastline along the Great Lakes. Courses for Wisconsin surveyors would focus on shoreline surveys to mitigate the effects of erosion and rising water levels, particularly around Lake Michigan. Specific attention would be given to how these changes impact both public access and private property rights.
Maryland: With much of Maryland’s population living near the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, coastal erosion is a major issue. A continuing education course would cover techniques for measuring shoreline changes, impacts of erosion on property boundaries, and managing disputes over coastal property rights as they shift with the landscape.

4. Water Rights and Riparian Boundaries

Arizona: Arizona's arid climate makes water rights a critical issue for land surveyors. Surveyors need to understand the legal complexities of riparian rights and groundwater management, especially in relation to irrigation and agricultural use. A course on water rights in Arizona would dive deep into how surveyors contribute to the allocation and protection of these scarce resources, especially under the Arizona Department of Water Resources guidelines.
Arkansas: In contrast, Arkansas has ample water resources, but courses on riparian boundaries would focus more on resolving disputes between landowners over access to rivers and streams. Surveyors would need to know how water boundaries can shift over time and how the state’s specific laws, such as the Arkansas Water Plan, govern water use and access.

5. Forest Management and Timber Surveys

Wisconsin: Wisconsin has extensive forests that contribute significantly to the state’s economy. Surveyors are often involved in defining timber boundaries and assisting with sustainable forest management practices. Courses in Wisconsin would cover topics such as timber cruise methods, boundary marking in dense forests, and forest land valuation.
Maryland: While Maryland also has forested areas, its courses would focus more on suburban-forest interfaces and conservation easements. Surveyors here might need to know how to delineate forested areas that are part of wildlife preserves or conservation districts. Additional coursework could cover the importance of forest buffers in reducing nutrient runoff into the Chesapeake Bay.

6. Solar Energy and Land Use Planning

Arizona: Arizona is a leader in solar energy, and surveyors are increasingly involved in planning large-scale solar farms. A course for Arizona surveyors would focus on the unique challenges of surveying desert land, understanding land leases for renewable energy projects, and navigating state regulations related to public lands and solar farm development.
Maryland: Maryland is also pursuing solar energy projects, but the focus would be on integrating solar developments into already densely populated areas. A course here might focus on solar installations for residential developments and agricultural land, ensuring compliance with state zoning laws and environmental regulations.

7. Urban Redevelopment and Historical Surveys

Wisconsin: In older cities like Milwaukee, surveyors often work on redevelopment projects in historical districts. Courses would cover the intricacies of working with historical property boundaries, ensuring compliance with local heritage preservation laws, and incorporating new development into existing urban infrastructure.
Maryland: Maryland, particularly in cities like Baltimore, has rich historical architecture. Surveyors may need specialized training in historic preservation surveys, ensuring that redevelopment projects preserve the historical integrity of buildings while adhering to modern construction standards.

8. Subdivision Design and Lot Layout

Arkansas: In a state with significant rural land, Arkansas surveyors frequently work on subdividing large tracts of land for agricultural, residential, and commercial development. A continuing education course would focus on the practicalities of dividing rural land, understanding state regulations around lot sizes, and ensuring proper road and utility access.
Wisconsin: In contrast, Wisconsin has a mix of rural and suburban areas, meaning that courses on subdivision design would also cover integrating developments into existing suburban communities. Special attention would be paid to environmental impact studies and ensuring developments comply with both local zoning and state environmental regulations.

9. Flood Mitigation and River Engineering

Arkansas: Arkansas is crisscrossed by major rivers, such as the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers, where flooding is a recurring concern. Courses in flood mitigation would focus on surveying levees, drainage systems, and ensuring proper flood control measures are in place. Surveyors would also learn about FEMA regulations and the impact of river engineering on land boundaries.
Maryland: Maryland has numerous rivers and coastal areas where surveyors must account for both riverine and coastal flooding. Courses here would address the intricacies of combining river flood data with sea-level rise predictions, as well as how these factors impact urban planning and property development.

10. Hazardous Waste Site Surveys

Arizona: Arizona has numerous areas impacted by industrial activity, including old mining sites and military bases. Surveyors in Arizona must be familiar with environmental regulations surrounding hazardous waste, conducting surveys on Superfund sites, and determining safe boundaries for redevelopment or land remediation projects.
Wisconsin: Wisconsin also has former industrial sites that require hazardous waste cleanup. Surveyors here would learn about conducting surveys for brownfield redevelopment, understanding environmental risks, and working with state and federal agencies to ensure proper site remediation.

Each of these courses reflects the unique geographical, environmental, and regulatory demands placed on land surveyors based on where they practice. Through the L.E.A.R.N. program, these localized courses give surveyors a chance to share their expertise and continue contributing to the profession even after retirement.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse