Buffalo InDigital: Precise 3D Data for Better Outcomes
- dominicku1
- Jun 9
- 2 min read
Enabling Access to LiDAR and Aerial Imagery for Indigenous Communities Across Alberta
OGL Engineering supports airborne data acquisition and processing as part of a collaborative initiative focused on improving access, consistency, and shared approaches to geospatial data ownership.
Project Summary
Buffalo InDigital is a joint initiative founded by OGL and ATCO, to support the creation of a geospatial data platform across Albertan Indigenous communities.
Buffalo InDigital is structured to enable 51% Indigenous ownership from its inception. Foundational geospatial data, including high-density LiDAR and high-resolution 4-band aerial imagery are available for licensing by engineers, record-keepers, and decision-makers on demand.
OGL is supporting all technical aspects of this initiative from airborne data acquisition through geospatial data processing.
Context
Across Alberta, geospatial data has typically been collected and managed by external organizations, with limited direct ownership or control at the community level.
At the same time, there is increasing demand for accurate, consistent spatial data to support land stewardship, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure planning.
Buffalo InDigital was developed to address this gap by improving access to consistent geospatial data and supporting a new model of data ownership for Indigenous Communities.
Approach
Buffalo InDigital combines large-scale airborne LiDAR and aerial imagery acquisition with structured data processing and management.
OGL’s role includes:
Supporting airborne survey programs
Processing and structuring geospatial datasets
Applying QA/QC workflows to ensure consistency and usability
The focus is on building a reliable and standardized dataset that can support long-term access and reuse.
Impact
Buffalo InDigital is intended to support Indigenous communities with improved access to geospatial data across Alberta.
The platform creates a foundation for:
Land and environmental decision-making
Infrastructure and planning applications
Future digital tools and data services
It also introduces a model where communities can participate in and benefit from the long-term use of geospatial data.
Working with the Land
OGL recognizes that the land represented through geospatial data holds cultural and historical significance.
This initiative is being developed in partnership with Indigenous organizations, with a focus on responsible data development, long-term stewardship, and community-aligned outcomes.
The approach reflects an understanding that geospatial data is not only technical, but connected to people, place, and long-term use.
