Heather Sparks
Patagonia
I grew up in Sonora and attended Columbia College from 2006 to 2009. During that time I took several courses with Ted and Paula––they “kinda” rocked my world. In anthropology and history class, they taught me to examine my interest in sustainability through the lens of cultural reproduction. In geography and political science, they taught me to visualize data through charts and maps. These skills came in handy when I transferred to UC Berkeley to earn a B.S. in Conservation and Resources Studies. As a student at Cal, I completed an honors thesis on rural sustainable development and graduated with highest honors. I now work in the City of San José’s GIS department. Additionally, I volunteer as a critical cartographer and homeless shelter policy researcher. Some of my projects have received press from The Atlantic Cities, The New York Times, and Fast Company. In the future I hope to pursue a graduate degree that combines critical cartography and sustainability policy. For the time being, I try to squeeze some adventure into my life whenever possible.
UC Berkeley, Conservation and Resource Studies
Three Ways to Improve Crumbling City Neighborhoods (An interview with Fast Company about homeless volunteer work)
Applying Cybertchniques to Urban Problems (New York Times article about our homeless work)
Mission Possible Map Project Explores the Mission District Using Gang Territory, Cupcakes, Lunar Cycles, and Craigslist (Huffington Post article about a neighborhood atlas to which I contributed)
Check Out This Food Atlas Created By 'Guerrilla Cartographers' (The Atlantic Cities article about a food atlas to which I contributed)
H.R. Sparks (My website)