The University of Nevada, Reno’s geography department will host a lecture from Martin Gamache from 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, March 10 in Mackay Science Building Room 215 as part of its Geography Colloquium series. Gamache is currently the senior graphics editor at National Geographic and has worked for American Alpine Journal and as a cartographer for the glacial inventory of western Canada.

In his presentation, “Assembling National Geographic Magazine Maps: A Detailed Look at NGM Cartography from Data to Printed Map,” Gamache will discuss the graphics he has created for National Geographic, including his most recent: a map on salmon farms that ran in the magazine’s February issue. Audience members will also get an advanced look at maps Gamache is working on for the May, June and July issues.

“I'll discuss some of the challenges of creating maps in a magazine publishing context and the implications for complex geographic thought, analysis and synthesis," he said.

Gamache will also describe how his experiences outside of National Geographic have influenced his work at the magazine. An avid hiker, he has created maps for climber and backpackers to use throughout Kyrgyzstan, Peru and the United States. He also founded his own mapping business, The Alpine Guild, six years ago and serves a wide range of academic, government and publishing clients.

Nevada’s geography department hosts the Geography Colloquium each spring, welcoming a variety of experts and professionals to speak on campus. This year’s series is themed “geographical measures,” and explores the fields of measuring, recording, mapping and displaying geographical data. Gamache’s presentation is free and open to the public.

More information on the colloquium.