Alison Ollivierre is a name synonymous with cartographic excellence, participatory mapping, and environmental advocacy. With over 15 years of experience and numerous accolades, Alison has transformed how we visualize the world—one map at a time.
A Leader in Cartography
As a Senior Cartographer at National Geographic, Alison crafts topographic outdoor recreation maps for print and interactive platforms, including Avenza PDF, Gaia GPS, and Topo Maps+ Pro. Her work seamlessly blends precision, beauty, and functionality, upholding NatGeo’s legacy of cartographic excellence.
Her expertise extends beyond traditional mapping:
- Creating new map series for iconic trails like the Pacific Crest Trail and Colorado Trail
- Collaborating on National Geographic’s Atlas of the World and wall maps
Her attention to detail and design ensures that maps are not just tools but stories waiting to be explored.
A Passion for Participatory Mapping
Alison’s professional focus also includes participatory mapping—a powerful approach that connects local knowledge with spatial data. She has been researching and facilitating participatory mapping projects, particularly in the Eastern Caribbean, since 2010.
Her achievements include:
- Founding and serving as Director-at-Large for the International Society for Participatory Mapping (ISPM)
- Authoring a chapter on participatory mapping for the International Encyclopedia of Geography
- Supporting small island developing states (SIDS) in using participatory mapping to address climate change
By empowering communities to document their environment, Alison’s work strengthens conservation efforts and local resilience.
Driving Conservation Through Mapping
Alison’s passion for bird conservation is reflected in her decade-long work with organizations like BirdsCaribbean and Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC). She has:
- Created cartographic products for birding trails and conservation projects
- Contributed to collaborative publications like Birds of the Transboundary Grenadines
- Supported regional conservation workshops, conferences, and training programs
Her maps are essential tools for education, research, and on-the-ground conservation action.
Recognized Excellence
Alison’s talent and contributions have earned her numerous awards, including:
- National Geographic Award in Mapping
- Best Geoinformatics Project
- 40 Under 40 Remarkable Geospatial Professional
- Recognition as one of Geospatial World’s 50 Rising Stars
Her maps have appeared in books, museums, journals, and atlases, proving her ability to connect art, science, and storytelling.
Why Alison Ollivierre Deserves Celebration
Alison Ollivierre is more than a cartographer—she’s a storyteller, advocate, and teacher. Through her work at National Geographic, her advocacy for participatory mapping, and her commitment to conservation, Alison inspires us to see maps not just as tools but as gateways to understanding and protecting our world.
Thank you, Alison, for blending precision, creativity, and purpose into every map you create. Your work empowers communities, supports conservation, and reminds us that maps can truly change the world 🌍.
