Rick Jonasse has a Ph.D. in Communication from U.C. San Diego and a Masters Degree in Telecommunication and Film from University of Oregon.  His academic work looked at Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in planning and natural resource management.  He helped pioneer the GIS progam at the San Francisco Planning Department.  Rick's GIS experience ranges from landuse and socioeconomic analyses to urban interface wildlife habitats.  He also has graphic design experience, which helps translate the GIS work into visually effective cartography. Birdseye Cartography produces informative and visually engaging maps that support a wide variety of needs. He is currently a research Fellow and writer at Food First Institute in Oakland, CA--where he also helps maintain the website.