Character Spotlight ‘ISPLS’

Surveying Monopoly has been created with one big vision: to bring the world of geospatial surveying into a household game that families around the world can play, enjoy and learn from together. Across the board, real surveying and geospatial organisations are represented by their own unique characters, places and technology, showcasing just how varied and exciting the profession can be.

But who are the characters taking their places on the board, and what do they tell us about the real world of surveying? It’s time to meet them! Through a quick-fire Q&A, we’ll discover the inspiration behind each character, their favourite surveying tools, what their organisation does, and even where in the world they’d most like to survey.

Let’s learn some more about Indiana Society of Professional Land Surveyors and their character the Bengal Cat:

Company name and location? Indiana Society of Professional Land Surveyors (ISPLS)
We’re a statewide organization that represents professional land surveyors across Indiana. From the shores of Lake Michigan to the banks of the Ohio River, our members help define property boundaries, create maps, and support the roads, bridges, neighborhoods, and communities Hoosiers use every day.

What is your name and what inspired your design? The Bengal Cat was named in memory of Indiana surveyor Don Bengal. Don spent his career helping people understand the land around them and supporting the profession he loved. The Bengal Cat honors his dedication while adding a little fun and curiosity, which are two things every good surveyor needs.

What tool would you never leave the office or field without? Your brain. Every instrument in the truck — robotic total station, GPS, scanner — is only as reliable as the surveyor interpreting the data and catching when something doesn’t add up. Technology doesn’t replace judgment; it just gives judgment better data to work with.

With that said, if limited to the physical tools in the truck, Bengal Cat would go with a metal detector! One of the coolest parts of surveying is hunting for hidden property markers that might have been placed decades ago. When the detector starts beeping and you uncover an old iron pin, it feels like finding treasure. Those markers help surveyors solve land boundary puzzles and tell the story of the land.

Which square on the surveying Monopoly board would your character most like to visit and why? The Fieldwork Surprise square! Every day in surveying is a little different. You might discover an old property marker, find something that doesn’t match the map, or run into an unexpected challenge that needs a quick solution. Surveyors have to think on their feet, solve problems, and adapt to whatever the day brings. That’s what makes the job an adventure and keeps it interesting.

What is the coolest thing about surveying that kids might not know? Surveyors are real-life explorers and detectives! We search for clues left behind decades or even centuries ago, such as old monuments, iron pins, stone markers, and historic records. Sometimes we use cutting-edge technology like drones, satellites, and 3D laser scanners to help solve the puzzle. Every property has a story, and surveyors help uncover it.

How does your company help surveyors measure, map, or build the world around us? ISPLS supports and represents Indiana’s land surveyors. We provide education, training, networking, and advocacy to help surveyors stay informed and continue growing in their profession. By supporting surveyors, we help ensure that Indiana’s homes, farms, businesses, roads, and public projects are built on accurate and reliable information

If you could travel anywhere in the world to survey, where would you go? I’d love to survey the ancient pyramids of Egypt. Surveyors are still amazed by how accurately they were built thousands of years ago. It would be exciting to use modern technology to study one of the world’s greatest engineering achievements and compare today’s measurements with those made by ancient builders.