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Women in Science

Honoring Dr. Jane Goodall: A Visionary Who Brought People, Nature, and Technology Together

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Phil Satlof

We join the world in mourning the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall, a pioneering scientist, storyteller, and humanitarian whose life’s work forever changed our understanding of the natural world. Her profound curiosity and empathy for chimpanzees expanded into a global movement for conservation and community-led action, one that continues to inspire millions around the world.

Jane Goodall understood early on that maps tell stories. From the forests of Gombe in the 1960s to community-managed landscapes across Africa today, her vision embraced the power of spatial data to connect local action with global insight. She championed the use of modern geospatial tools to monitor habitats, inform conservation strategies, and share powerful stories with the world.

A Shared Commitment to Conservation through GIS

Blue Raster is honored to have collaborated with the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) on a range of projects that reflect Dr. Goodall’s commitment to innovation, storytelling, and community partnership. We were fortunate to travel to Gombe in Tanzania on multiple trips to support their team with vital field data collection efforts.

Together, we have built interactive maps, decision support tools, and StoryMaps that make JGI’s vital work more accessible and impactful:

Through these collaborations, we have seen firsthand how Dr. Goodall’s vision transcended disciplines, weaving together science, local knowledge, and technology to build a better future for people, animals, and the environment.

🕊 A Lasting Legacy

Jane Goodall once said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

Her difference is immeasurable. Her legacy lives on through the communities she empowered, the lives she helped protect, and the generations she inspired to take action.

Blue Raster is grateful to have played a role in amplifying that legacy through the lens of GIS and storytelling. As we reflect on her extraordinary life, we commit to carrying forward the spirit of collaboration, curiosity, and hope that defined her work.

🕊 Thank you, Jane. 🌿

Atlanta Food Access Explorer: Mapping Healthy Food Access in Atlanta

Posted on August 25, 2025 by Phil Satlof

Blue Raster is proud to share our collaboration with the Emory Rollins School of Public Health’s Global Diabetes Research Center on the Atlanta Food Access Explorer, an interactive ArcGIS Online dashboard that visualizes healthy food access across the Atlanta metropolitan area. This powerful tool supports local public health initiatives by helping residents, researchers, and policymakers better understand—and act on—food accessibility challenges in the region.

Mapping Healthy Food Options

Working closely with Dr. Karen Siegel from Emory University, our team began by acquiring detailed food-related Points of Interest (POI) data from Data Axle. We focused on relevant food sources, mainly restaurants, grocery stores, and farmers markets. Each location was then assessed for healthfulness based on a variety of attributes, such as:

Restaurant type (e.g., fast food vs. full-service)
Cuisine categories
Availability of fresh or healthy foods

Weighted Health Scores and the Atlanta Food Access Index

Blue Raster GIS Analyst Thai Pinkney developed a healthfulness score for each location to reflect its potential contribution to healthy eating within a given census tract. This score was visualized using customized symbology in an ArcGIS Online web map, forming the foundation of the Atlanta Food Access Explorer.

To provide a broader view of environmental and socioeconomic factors, Thai also compiled a suite of census tract-level data layers. Working in close partnership with Karen and co-investigators—the team developed a Food Access Index, which aggregates these multiple inputs into a composite measure of access to healthy food options. Detailed metadata on the index methodology is available within the dashboard itself.

Atlanta Food Access Explorer dashboard showing healthy food access across census tracts

Empowering Community Use with ArcGIS
To support community engagement and real-world application, the ArcGIS Dashboard integrates the ArcGIS Online Nearby Instant App. This feature allows users to:

- - Center the map on their current location or type in an address
  - Define a custom radius of interest
  - View a list of nearby food establishments
  - Discover healthier food options in their vicinity

This search functionality is particularly valuable for users seeking better dietary options and for organizations working to improve health outcomes at the neighborhood level.

The Atlanta Food Access Explorer demonstrates how data-driven mapping can strengthen collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and community members. By highlighting where healthy food access is limited, the tool sparks conversations and guides targeted interventions. As the region continues to grow, this resource can evolve to support long-term strategies for building healthier, more resilient neighborhoods.

Explore the Dashboard
We invite you to explore the Atlanta Food Access Explorer and learn more about this collaborative project aimed at addressing food insecurity and promoting healthier communities across Atlanta.

"The Blue Raster team transformed a large and complex database of food outlets into a user-friendly, interactive Food Access Map of Atlanta. Their technical expertise, creativity, and collaborative approach made the process smooth and enjoyable, and the final product is both visually engaging and impactful. This tool not only brings our work to life but also empowers communities and decision-makers across the city. Their work will continue to drive impact well beyond this project." -Dr. Karen Siegel, Emory Global Diabetes Research Center

At Blue Raster, we bring the power of GIS to public health by building tools that make complex data accessible and actionable. From food access and environmental health to disease surveillance and community engagement, our team helps organizations visualize challenges and identify solutions. Learn more about our Health GIS solutions and contact us to explore how we can support your initiatives.

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Empowering Global Conservation with the Jane Goodall Institute’s Tapestry of Hope

Posted on March 4, 2025 by Phil Satlof

The Jane Goodall Institute’s Tapestry of Hope project weaves together uplifting stories of individuals, organizations, and communities working to protect the environment, support wildlife, and uplift human well-being. This dynamic platform highlights the collective impact of grassroots efforts around the world—encouraging visitors to explore, share, and become part of a global movement dedicated to creating a brighter future.

Blue Raster is proud to have partnered with the Jane Goodall Institute to enhance the Tapestry of Hope experience through custom JavaScript development and ArcGIS Online configuration. Our collaboration centered on creating an engaging and intuitive interface that allows participants to seamlessly discover and contribute to this ever-growing digital tapestry.

Building a Seamless Interactive Experience

A primary goal was to ensure that anyone—whether an avid conservationist or a newcomer to environmental efforts—could easily navigate and contribute to the tapestry. To support this:

Custom JavaScript Development
- We developed a user-friendly interface that invites participants to explore content in a visually compelling manner.
- Interactive map elements guide visitors through stories of hope around the globe, linking project descriptions with geographic locations for deeper context.
- Responsive design principles ensure the tapestry looks and functions beautifully across devices, from desktop browsers to mobile phones.
ArcGIS Online Configuration
- ArcGIS Online’s robust mapping capabilities power the spatial storytelling component.
- We configured hosted feature layers, web maps, and map applications tailored to the Jane Goodall Institute’s needs. A Survey123 form allows anyone to contribute to the tapestry.
- Leveraging ArcGIS Online’s flexible platform ensures real-time updates and easy management of new stories as they are added.

Inspiring Change Through Maps and Storytelling

The heart of the Tapestry of Hope is the collection of stories showcasing how individuals and organizations are making a difference. By combining ArcGIS Online’s mapping power with custom JavaScript interfaces:

Location-Based Engagement: Visitors can zoom into specific regions, discovering on-the-ground initiatives, from wildlife conservation projects in Africa to community-led cleanups in urban centers.

Data-Rich Storytelling: Each story features multimedia elements—images, video, or infographics—to convey the impact of the efforts highlighted.

Sustainable Scalability: Because the tapestry’s growth is ongoing, ArcGIS Online’s cloud-based infrastructure allows new stories, data, and imagery to be added without downtime or extensive rework.

Looking Ahead: A Growing Tapestry

The success of the Tapestry of Hope underscores the power of digital storytelling and interactive mapping to spark meaningful engagement. As new partners and individuals join, the tapestry will continue to grow, illustrating how collective efforts can weave together a future built on hope and cooperation.

We at Blue Raster remain committed to supporting the Jane Goodall Institute’s vision of a world where every individual plays a role in protecting animals, people, and the environment. By harnessing innovative GIS tools and custom web development, we are helping to nurture a digital space where everyone can witness—and contribute to—this global story of hope.

Add your story to the Tapestry of Hope!

Visit the Jane Goodall Institute’s Tapestry of Hope website to discover inspiring stories, add your own experiences, and learn how you can help make a lasting difference.

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Templeton Roots & Shoots Prizes: Honoring International Changemakers Who Are Making A Difference

Posted on January 30, 2024 by Phil Satlof

Blue Raster is proud to announce another project from our long running collaboration with The Jane Goodall Institute.

Among Jane Goodall's many vital programs is Roots & Shoots, with the mission to empower young people to affect positive change in their communities.

In 2023, JGI collaborated with the John Templeton Foundation to award the Templeton Roots & Shoots Prizes.

From the JGI website: "The Templeton Roots & Shoots Prizes are an extension of the partnership between JGI and the John Templeton Foundation to elevate the extraordinary efforts of visionary youth leaders and their adult mentors worldwide. Awardees were selected based on their exceptional work with Roots & Shoots at the intersection of science, compassion, and community – specifically those who exemplify curiosity and wonder and the pursuit of knowledge, as well as the expression of compassion towards people, other animals and the environment we share."

When Erin Griffin, Director of Partnerships, Jane Goodall Institute-USA sought a novel way to showcase the 30 winners of the inaugural Templeton Roots & Shoots Prizes she turned to trusted partner Blue Raster and the concept of an ArcGIS StoryMap.

The StoryMap showcases the 2023 winners and features an interactive map, videos and a brief write up of each winner and their vital contributions.

Blue Raster built several StoryMaps for The Jane Goodall Institute. The platform is ideal for visual story telling, with or without a map based visualization.

Check out the Templeton Roots & Shoots Prizes StoryMap, honoring international changemakers who are making a difference today!

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Jane’s Green Hope: Blue Raster supports 87 Years of Jane Goodall’s Impact

Posted on May 4, 2021 by Phil Satlof

For over 60 years, Dr. Jane Goodall has inspired and motivated millions of people around the globe to live in greater harmony with nature and to take action on behalf of the planet we share. To celebrate her 87^th birthday, Dr. Goodall is asking you to pledge to make a difference via the Jane’s Green Hope campaign,

Jane’s Green Hope Pledge

In the fight against biodiversity loss and the Climate Crisis, restoration, regeneration, and protection of global forests are some of our greatest hopes. Join Jane and thousands of people from around the world in taking action to create a greener future for all by making a pledge to the Jane’s Green Hope (#JanesGreenHope) campaign.

Jane and the Jane Goodall Institute’s efforts to protect and restore forests are part of the Trillion Trees initiative. It emphasizes the potential of forests to improve wellbeing and livelihoods for local and indigenous communities, combat climate change, and protect global biodiversity. Every individual can make a difference.

To support this goal, the Jane Goodall Institute asked longtime partner Blue Raster (read about past efforts here) to develop a pledge action response form and dashboard using Esri’s Survey123 , ArcGIS Online Web Maps and ArcGIS Dashboards. At the end of the campaign, the map will be presented to Dr. Goodall so she can see the global reach of the campaign. YOUR efforts will be on that map if you take the pledge and follow it up with action! Join the Jane’s Green Hope campaign today!

Jane's Green Hope campaign celebrates Jane Goodall's 87th birthday

Jane Goodall and the Blue Raster Team

Action Response Form developed by Blue Raster

TAKE ACTION FOR FORESTS & GREENING YOUR COMMUNITY

Pledge to plant, protect, and/or restore native trees and forests, and engage in greening your community. Visit Jane’s Green Hope on the web and take action for the world today! https://janegoodall.org/make-a-difference/janes-green-hope/

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