Make a Map

Explore to empower; empower to explore.

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.

Get To Mapping!
Owl Map

Who will use this page?

Residents and Community Members

Map your neighborhoods, explore data layers, and judge proposed projects. Think about your watershed or species biodiversity to expand your vision of life in Southern California.

 Planners and Developers

Conduct suitability analyses for projects before they are proposed in order to save time and money. Remember to use in conjunction with our community-based planning rating scale as well as our community first, climate first project analysis tool.

Students and Researchers

SoCal Earth data awaits! Ask the data questions, explore areas of conflict or opportunity, and analyze problems and solutions. Dive deep into the rabbit hole and don't forget to come up for air every once in a while. Share your results with us!

Journalists and Politicians

Sometimes journalists and politicians need background or context for a story or project they're working on, or to support or understand pending legislation. Having handy data from Southern California allows you to drill down into the specifics of an area from multiple topic areas. Remember to use the rating tools to help you think through your approach or the approach of an elected official.

Get to Mapping!

Making a map isn't as hard as you think! But it can have a bit of a learning curve. Follow our (coming soon) written instructions or watch the (soon-to-be video below) for tips.

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.
  • 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!

Click on the full-page option in the bottom right of the map above the selected feature icon or the trash can. 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.

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!

Questions about getting started?
Drop us a line to find out more!

Do you have a mapping question or challenge? Reach out to the Redford Conservancy to join one of our upcoming Mapping Salons or SoCal Earth Office Hours!

Get In Touch