Base Map Partner Program

Have data? Get started

An important part of the mission of the USDA Forest Service is informing the public about the forests and grasslands we manage. In order to achieve this, we want information about our lands to be accessible to as large an audience as possible. We are very pleased that Google has used our geospatial datasets to improve the base map in Google Maps and Google Earth so that everyone can easily discover, navigate and enjoy these public lands."

- David George, Geospatial Service and Technology Center, USDA Forest Service

Have suggested edits?

Do you have a number of edits to the map to suggest (but no large datasets to provide)? Try our tool for easily suggesting edits to the map.

Base Map Partner Program

Improve and enrich the map of your community

One of the exciting things about maps and geography is that the world is a constantly changing place and keeping on top of these changes is a never-ending endeavor. We recognize that in order to provide our users with the best, most up-to-date map possible, we must partner with the most comprehensive and authoritative data sources.

If your organization has authoritative vector data that would substantially improve the base map in Google Maps and Google Earth, we would like to hear from you. Check out our data format specifications and tell us about your data.

There are many benefits of adding your vector data to Google's base map:

Improve navigation through your community with new roads and housing developments, bike paths and parcel data.
Update major landmarks, natural features, and places of interest in your area.
Ensure accurate representation of critical infrastructure like hospitals, police stations and airports.

Examples of how we've improved our U.S. base map with authoritative data sources

National parks, forests and other public lands in the Pacific Northwest, based on data from the USDA Forest Service, the U.S. National Park Service and other sources

Bike paths based on data from Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and waterways (creeks) based on data from U.S. Geological Survey

Parcel boundaries based on data from City and County of San Francisco