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ArcGIS Pro Training in Action: Unlocking GIS Power with Blue Raster

Posted on by Jameson Quisenberry

ArcGIS Pro Training for Real-World Impact: Blue Raster’s Virtual Learning Experience

In today's data-driven landscape, the ability to harness the power of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is critical, particularly in industries where spatial insights drive decision-making. Recently, Blue Raster had the privilege of conducting a comprehensive virtual training session on ArcGIS Pro for a leading commercial real estate company. This training aimed to empower participants with the skills and knowledge needed to maximize the potential of ArcGIS Pro within their workflows. 

Inside the ArcGIS Pro Training with Blue Raster

The training kicked off with an in-depth exploration of ArcGIS Pro's interface and key features. Participants gained valuable insights into the benefits of ArcGIS Pro over its predecessor, ArcMap, including improved collaboration capabilities and enhanced file management functionalities.

ArcGIS Pro training screenshot

One of the highlights of the training was the discussion on file management and sharing. Participants learned about best practices for active file management within ArcGIS Online and discovered how ArcGIS Pro facilitates concurrent use and collaboration, seamlessly integrating with cloud storage solutions like Dropbox or Box for efficient data access. 

Supporting a Smooth Transition from ArcMap to ArcGIS Pro

Addressing concerns about transitioning from ArcMap to ArcGIS Pro, the training provided practical tips and strategies to ease the migration process. Participants gained a clear understanding of the similarities and differences between the two platforms, empowering them to adapt quickly and effectively. 

The training also explored the mapping and analysis tools offered by ArcGIS Pro, showcasing its advanced capabilities in custom styling, Python toolboxes, and map layout optimization. Participants discovered techniques for demographic analysis and trade area delineation, gaining actionable insights for informed decision-making. 

ArcGIS Pro training screenshot 2

Workflow Optimization Through ArcGIS Pro Training

A key focus of the training was on workflow optimization, where participants learned strategies for maximizing productivity within ArcGIS Pro. From data export options to documentation techniques, every aspect of the workflow was meticulously examined to ensure efficiency and accuracy. 

In summary, the ArcGIS Pro training conducted by Blue Raster was a resounding success, equipping participants with the skills and knowledge needed to unlock the full potential of this powerful GIS platform. As organizations continue to embrace the transformative power of location intelligence, Blue Raster remains committed to driving innovation and excellence in GIS education and training. 

Ready to Elevate Your Team with ArcGIS Pro Training?

Partner with Blue Raster for Customized GIS Learning Solutions

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

Posted on 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. 

The Jane Goodall Institute’s Tapestry of Hope

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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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Blue Raster Named Esri Federal Small Business Specialty Partner of the Year at FedGIS 2025

Posted on by Angela Wertman

Recognizing Excellence in Esri Partner Collaboration and Federal GIS Solutions

Blue Raster, a premier Esri Partner specializing in geospatial solutions and IT consulting, has been awarded the Esri Federal Small Business Specialty Partner of the Year at the Esri Federal GIS Conference (FedGIS) in Washington, DC.

This prestigious recognition highlights Blue Raster’s outstanding contributions to the US Federal Government sector through innovative applications of Esri’s ArcGIS technology. As one of only two Esri partners in the Esri Partner Network (EPN) recognized at the event, this award underscores Blue Raster’s commitment to advancing geospatial intelligence and Esri federal small business solutions.

Esri FedGIS 2025 federal small business award

Leading the Way in Federal GIS Innovation

Blue Raster empowers federal agencies, conservation organizations, and public-sector partners with advanced mapping, data visualization, and web and mobile application development. By leveraging Esri technology, the company delivers cutting-edge solutions that optimize resource management, enhance operational efficiency, and drive mission-critical outcomes for government agencies.

“It is an honor to be recognized by Esri as the Federal Small Business Specialty Partner of the Year,” said Michael Lippmann, co-founder of Blue Raster. “This award underscores our team’s dedication to providing cutting-edge geospatial solutions that empower our Federal Government partners to achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently. We are excited to continue collaborating with Esri to drive innovation and deliver impactful results.”

Contact Blue Raster Today!

Esri Recognizes Blue Raster’s Commitment to Federal GIS Excellence

With over 3,000 partners worldwide, Esri leads the way in location intelligence and GIS solutions. The Esri Partner Network acknowledges partners that have demonstrated exceptional capabilities in delivering ArcGIS-powered solutions for the US Federal Government.

“Esri congratulates Blue Raster on their 2025 Federal Small Business Specialty Partner of the Year award in recognition of their work leveraging ArcGIS software,” said Thomas Fair, Director, Esri Partner Network. “We are proud to partner with Blue Raster to foster the use of ArcGIS as a system in support of our mutual US Federal Government customers.”

About Esri

Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, helps customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Founded in 1969 in Redlands, California, USA, Esri software is deployed in hundreds of thousands of organizations globally, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofit institutions, and universities.

Esri has regional offices, international distributors, and partners providing local support in over 100 countries on six continents. With its pioneering commitment to geospatial technology and analytics, Esri engineers the most innovative solutions that leverage a geographic approach to solving some of the world’s most complex problems by placing them in the crucial context of location. Visit esri.com to learn more.

About Blue Raster

Blue Raster is a leading provider of geospatial solutions, IT consulting, and GIS application development, empowering organizations to make data-driven decisions through advanced mapping, data visualization, and analytics. As an Esri Partner, Blue Raster specializes in delivering cutting-edge Esri ArcGIS-based solutions that help Federal Government agencies, conservation organizations, and public sector clients improve efficiency, optimize resources, and achieve mission success.

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Blue Raster & Esri Host ArcGIS Hub Innovation Workshop

Posted on by Ben Masters

The 2025 ArcGIS Hub Innovation Workshop, co-hosted by Blue Raster and Esri, brought together local government leaders and GIS professionals at Blue Raster's Arlington, VA office to foster collaboration, share the latest innovations, and provide hands-on learning experiences with ArcGIS Hub. This event provided attendees with insights into product roadmaps, innovative use cases, and opportunities to collaborate on Hub deployments tailored to their community needs.

Workshop Recap

Esri Shares ArcGIS Hub Roadmap & Generative AI Examples

Presentation of advanced use cases for ArcGIS Hub.

Ben and Mary presenting advanced use cases for ArcGIS Hub.

Andrew Turner, Director and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the Esri Research and Development Center, kicked off the workshop by presenting the ArcGIS Hub roadmap and showcasing examples of its practical applications. He then provided updates

on GeoAI and highlighted use cases for Generative AI. Andrew also shared Esri's Hub Gallery - check out the great Hub examples to find some inspiration for your own Hub site!

Blue Raster Presents Advanced Hub Use Cases & Customer success Stories

Ben Masters, Mary Bracho, and Phil Satlof from Blue Raster demonstrated how they have pushed ArcGIS Hub to its limits across multiple projects. Some highlights included:

These projects, along with others, sparked insightful discussions and led to several meaningful hands-on breakout sessions.

OC Works Hub Page
OC Works Hub Page
Main Street America BOOMS Tracker

Hands-on Breakout Sessions for Special Topics

One of the most valuable portions of the day was the hands-on Bring Your Own Hub workshop, where attendees worked directly with Esri and Blue Raster experts to explore solutions for their existing or proposed Hub deployments. We covered:

  • User Feedback and Roadmap discussion with Andrew Turner
  • Automation and Scripting Workflows
  • Custom HTML & CSS for Dynamic UI/UX
  • Getting Started with Hub

Beyond the technical deep dives, the workshop was an opportunity for collaboration and networking. Attendees connected with local peers, shared best practices, and discussed the evolving role of GIS in public sector innovation.

Ben leading Getting Started with Hub breakout session.
Mary leading the automation and scripting workflows breakout session.
Justin leading the custom HTML & CSS for dynamic UI/UX breakout session.

What’s Next? Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!

With such great discussions throughout the day, we’re excited to continue supporting agencies in their ArcGIS Hub journeys. Whether you’re looking to launch a new Hub, expand an existing deployment, or tackle specific GIS challenges, our team is here to help.

We also invite you to connect with us in person at Esri’s FedGIS Conference (February 24-26)—stop by our booth and let’s talk about what’s next for your GIS initiatives!

At Blue Raster, we’re dedicated to pioneering GIS solutions that transform how industries operate. We invite you to reach out and explore how we can collaborate on your next GIS project. Stay connected with us for updates on future events and opportunities to innovate together.

The LEARN Tool: Everything You Need to Know About its Exciting 2025 Updates

Posted on by Eric Ashcroft

Launched in 2021, the Land Emissions and Removals Navigator (LEARN) Tool was designed to help communities easily measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from land use changes. The tool enables users to intuitively analyze how forests and trees impact GHG emissions using land use and land cover data. In its latest update, Blue Raster collaborated with the Woodwell Climate Research Center, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, and the World Resources Institute to expand its features, giving local governments and landowners even more tools to understand and manage the carbon stored in their forests and trees.

Blue Raster supported the initial development of the LEARN Tool to address a significant gap in existing carbon accounting methods. Traditionally, previously analyses have focused on measuring their emissions from energy and transportation sectors, while the emissions and removals from land-use change and forestry have been overlooked. However, these land-based emissions and removals are responsible for a significant proportion of the carbon footprint, particularly in rural areas.

What’s New in the LEARN Tool?

LEARN Tool

The latest iteration of the the LEARN Tool was built with the ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript and utilizes geoprocessing and image services hosted in an ArcGIS Enterprise environment.

The updated analysis in the LEARN Tool now includes the latest maps of Mature and Old Growth Forests, along with their protected status, offering a more comprehensive view of forest ecosystems. In addition to reporting net GHG emissions, the tool breaks down the total forest area by age and protection level, while calculating the carbon stored within each category. This deeper insight allows communities to understand the critical role forests play in carbon sequestration and climate mitigation.

With this information, users can easily identify high-value areas for preservation, develop strategies to protect mature and old growth forests, and take actionable steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By highlighting the connection between forest preservation and climate impact, the LEARN Tool empowers communities to make informed decisions that align with their environmental goals.

Blue Raster also enhanced the LEARN Tool’s greenhouse gas analysis module with the latest National Land Cover Database (NLCD) data and added the ability for users to customize carbon factors with their own data. The default carbon factors used by the tool are derived from the Forest Inventory and Analysis database, providing a reliable foundation for calculating greenhouse gas emissions. Now, users can upload local carbon data tailored to their specific community, enabling more accurate and precise analysis.

Finally, the tool’s user interface has been revamped, making it even easier to run analyses and interpret results. These updates provide users with greater flexibility, improved accuracy, and a more streamlined experience as they work to understand and address the role of forests in greenhouse gas emissions.

Image of Analysis Panel showing tables of Area and Carbon Stocks categorized by forest age and protections status

Our Commitment to Conservation and Addressing Climate Challenges

Blue Raster is deeply committed to supporting conservation efforts and empowering communities with the tools they need to address climate challenges. This commitment drives our continuous development of the Land Emissions and Removals Navigator (LEARN) Tool, ensuring it remains at the forefront of innovation in measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions from land use changes.

By collaborating with leading organizations and integrating the latest data and technologies, we strive to make the LEARN Tool a comprehensive and accessible resource for local governments, landowners, and conservationists. Our dedication to refining and expanding the tool reflects our belief in the power of actionable insights to promote sustainable land management and protect valuable ecosystems for future generations.

At Blue Raster, we are proud to be part of the global effort to create a healthier, more resilient planet.

Learn more about our work here and contact us today to see how we can support your mission and objectives.

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