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.
TIPS:
- SIGN IN PROMPT? You can add most layers from the Living Atlas to your map, but for some you need an account. Free Arc GIS accounts are available through Esri.
- LAYER NOT LOADING/PARTIALLY LOADING? Some of our data layers are extremely large and some computers can't handle the load. Delete and move onto another layer.
- UNWANTED ZOOM? If the layer you chose zooms you to another location, just click on the home icon to move back to where you were.
- WHERE IS MY LAYER? Sometimes you add a layer to your map and nothing shows up. Be sure to click the orange layers icon at the bottom of the map to make sure the layer is turned on.
- HIDDEN LAYER? If you've added a new layer, it might be hidden behind another layer. Click on the orange layer icon at the bottom of the map and reorder the layers by dragging above or below other layers.
- WANT TO SEE MORE? On the orange layer icon, you can increase or decrease the transparency of any layer in order to see what's underneath.
- WHERE DID MY PRINT GO? If you printed your map, click on "Results," in the print card, then when you click on your map name, it will open in a new tab and can be downloaded as a PDF.
Basic Mapping Instructions
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!
Watch the tutorial below by Pitzer student Luca Davis. Then keep scrolling to the Make a Map dashboard.
The BASICS:
- SEARCH DATA: Click on the "Click to Add Data" box, enter a search term, then click on the layer(s) you want to add.
- ADD DATA LAYER: After you add a data layer to your list, you will need to click on the four dots and select "Add to Map" in order to add it to the map.
- ADJUST LAYER: Click on the layer icon in the orange widgets at the bottom of the map (just hover to see which one is which). Turn the eyeball on or off. Clicking on the three dots will allow you to make the layer more or less transparent.
- DELETE LAYER: To delete a layer you no longer need, you need to delete it both in your layer list and also by clicking on the trash can in the lower right corner of the map. This will allow you to delete the layer you want.
- SWITCH BASEMAP: Want to see the mountains? Click on the Basemap icon in the orange widgets at the bottom of the page. Browse and select which basemap you want to use.
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!