Make a Map
Make your own maps to make your own change.
Maps Help Data Make Sense.
Making maps is the heart of SoCal Earth. This is where you get to drill down into topics and areas, ask the data questions by choosing layers, and visualize the answers for your neighborhood, community, town, city, county, or the entire region. We have made web apps for each subject that are user friendly and allow you to generate and print maps. See the StoryMap and video below for a walk through of this process. We have over 200 data layers related to Southern California PLUS access to online layers. But data is just data. The magic is in its unfolding.
Make a Map Dashboard
Explore, browse by topic, or come with an idea of what you want to know. Read the user cases below to find out how you can use the app.
Watch the video for more mapping tips and tricks! And browse the StoryMaps below to find out more about available SoCal Earth layers by category.
Basic Mapping Instructions
Watch the tutorial below by Pitzer student Luca Davis and see our Mapping Tips for more basics and troubleshooting.
Making a map isn't as hard as you think! But it can have a bit of a learning curve. Follow the tips below or watch the instructional video for some guidance.
Data for the map below comes from three places.
- SoCal Earth layers are tailored to Southern California and treat biodiversity, built environment, climate, coastal health, energy, equity, food and agriculture, indigenous lands, and water.
- ArcGIS Online has data layers that other users have created on as many topics as you can imagine. There are so many it can be confusing. But if you have an idea of what you want to search, they can be very useful. These data layers are not authoritative so use them at your own risk!
- ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World is a collection of authoritative data layers, maps, and other items provided by Esri. Each layer goes through a rigorous nomination and vetting process. What's more, these layers are live and are updated sometimes daily for topics like population, weather, earthquakes, or transportation--and so many more.
If you have a particular interest, take a quick peek at the StoryMaps below, which review most of the layers in our SoCal Earth dataset. Combine knowledge sets, make comparisons, ask questions, and get answers in a user-friendly format. No mapping experience required!
Mapping Tips and Tricks
Click to view.
Data Layer StoryMaps
Below are StoryMaps that show users SoCal Earth data layers by category to help familiarize you with what you can search for, compare, and analyze. Browse layers by topic in each StoryMap to aid your mapping project or question.
StoryMaps for Coastal Health, Energy, and Indigenous Lands layers are coming soon!