The new issue is full of great content. Some publications use editorial themes, but in my 30+ years of magazine publishing I have always preferred to have a little bit of everything in every issue. Otherwise, if a reader isn’t interested in the theme they might not find anything of interest and not open up the issue.
Kicking off the new year is a great story about attracting young surveyors to assist with scanning projects in Yuma, Arizona. Hats off to all the surveyors across the country who are trying to entice people to consider surveying as a career. Coupled with a thriving education community, these efforts are paying off. Are you able to find the help you need?
Trimble shares its vision of six trends for 2026, titled Doubling Down on Digital. For sure, digital has long since been a big part of surveying, and its importance will only increase, but my take on AI is this: Until Elon introduces a full-blown robot, our field work is safe. But worrisome are our office jobs. These will be the first to be supplanted. It’s your basic Writing on the Wall.
In a follow up to last year’s article about the Lahaina fire, Carl De Baca details what has happened in the ensuing year. The results are an example of what can happen when folks band together. Carl’s hope is that the effort can be a model for communities who are faced with a natural disaster. And more important, how surveying is a critical part of any rebuilding process.
Chuck Whitten continues with his exposé of fraudulent surveys in Oregon. Many of us have heard about the Benson Syndicate, and certainly, the current fraud being detected across our country is comparable to that of the 1800s except measured in billions instead of thousands or millions.
Gary Kent brings us up to date on the latest ALTA Standards. Most notably, the Standards have been reworded to avoid trying to specify which procedures and tools are acceptable and which are not. As a surveyor, I loved ALTA surveys because, unlike so many boundary surveys, I could actually make money doing them. Gotta love it when the attorneys are involved.
Alaska surveyor and attorney Vailferree Brechtel continues with our exploration of AI as it relates to legal research for surveying. New columnist Scott Graber will continue with his take on how AI will affect surveyors in future issues.
Wrapping up the issue are installments from our columnists. Wendy Lathrop details an interesting case regarding road access and easements. If you’re like me, one of the most appealing aspects of surveying is the required detective work. Carl De Baca provides a hilarious piece about one of his mentors. If you have a similar story please consider submitting. Finally, Angus Stocking continues with his series about how surveying relates to life. In short, everything requires an edge.
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