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New Updates to The DHS Program Spatial Data Repository: A one stop shop for Spatial Analysis Datasets

You may be familiar with the USAID funded DHS Program Spatial Data Repository (SDR) and use it to access spatial and non-spatial indicator data produced by The DHS Program surveys.  However, if you have not visited recently or are new to the tool check it out today!

The DHS Program Spatial Data Repository

 

There are brand new features, like a Model Dataset to use for familiarizing yourself with The DHS Program data, lesser known features like Geospatial Covariates and Modeled Surfaces and even some amazing new visualizations under construction that will debut in spring 2024.

Model Dataset

The new Model Dataset is useful for learning how to use DHS Program data to produce your own results.

The SDR is a custom application built with JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Python, Node and other tools. It relies on Esri’s ArcGIS Enterprise for serving boundary files, Python tools for creating customized datasets and The DHS Program Indicator Data API for instant access to the vast universe of DHS Program survey data and Amazon Web Services (AWS) for hosting and serverless solutions. Blue Raster is a trusted technology partner to The DHS Program with over 15 years of dedicated service to the USAID funded project.

Keep your eye on this space and visit the Spatial Data Repository today!

Survey estimates

Download Modeled Surfaces produced from DHS Program survey estimates like this one from the Philippines.

 

Exploring KoopJS: Simplifying and Enhancing Geospatial Data Integration

In the ever-expanding landscape of web development, the integration and presentation of geospatial data poses unique challenges. As applications increasingly demand the seamless incorporation of location-based information, developers find themselves grappling with diverse data sources, formats, and APIs. It is in this dynamic environment that tools like KoopJS emerge as indispensable assets.

What is KoopJS?

KoopJS is a powerful Node.js-based server application designed to bridge the gap between geospatial data from diverse sources. This innovative tool enables users to maintain their data in its native format and location while effortlessly transforming and serving it for consumption by a multitude of clients.

Serving as a middleware, KoopJS acts as a bridge between diverse geospatial data sources and standardizes the process of accessing and delivering this information. By doing so, it enables developers to efficiently connect to different APIs, transforming and presenting geospatial data seamlessly.

KoopJS diagram

Creating a Custom Plugin

A standout feature of KoopJS is its robust plugin architecture, which allows users to create custom plugins. These plugins define how data from disparate sources should be transformed, offering a high level of flexibility.

For instance, if you needed to showcase data hosted on platform like Carto that may not be inherently compatible with tools in ArcGIS, KoopJS allows you to craft custom plugins to seamlessly integrate and present the data. With KoopJS, a developer can craft a plugin tailored to convert the data into a format compatible with the ArcGIS suite of tools. The custom plugin serves as an intermediate layer between the Carto data source and ArcGIS, ensuring smooth integration and presentation of the data.

KoopJS

Why KoopJS?

KoopJS enhances the accessibility of geospatial data by providing a unified API that can be easily consumed by web applications. This simplifies the development process and promotes interoperability across various platforms. Whether your data is hosted on a different platform or exists in a non-compatible format, KoopJS offers a flexible and scalable solution to elevate your geospatial workflows. This unique application opens up new possibilities for enhancing geospatial workflows and facilitating seamless integration of diverse datasets.

In conclusion, KoopJS is a valuable tool for developers working with geospatial data, offering a practical solution to the challenges of integrating and serving location-based information in web applications. Contact us today to get started.

Learn more about our recent work here.

 

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Blue Raster & Smithsonian Promote Internship Program with ArcGIS StoryMaps

Blue Raster worked to develop an ArcGIS StoryMap to promote the Smithsonian Institution's Leadership for Change Internship Program. The Leadership for Change Internship, helmed by Smithsonian Affiliations, provides paid internship opportunities for students at museums, cultural, and educational organizations that are partners within the Smithsonian Affiliations network. To help showcase the impressive reach of Leadership for Change, Smithsonian Affiliations collaborated with Blue Raster to develop a StoryMap highlighting past internship projects and explaining the program to potential applicants.

What Leads to Successful StoryMap Development?

Blue Raster worked directly with Smithsonian Affiliations to plan and create an ArcGIS StoryMap to meet their goal of promoting the Leadership for Change Internship Program. In planning out the StoryMap content, Smithsonian Affiliations used the StoryMap Accelerator offered by Blue Raster. The StoryMap Accelerator aids development through a series of guided discovery questions that help to outline the narrative and content to be used in the ArcGIS StoryMap.

Highlighting the Internship Experience

Smithsonian Affiliations identified StoryMaps as their preferred platform because it enabled a multimedia showcase of both the opportunities afforded through the Leadership for Change Internship Program and the impressive student internship projects created across the country.

SI Affiliates StoryMap Home Page

The StoryMap provides a multimedia experience for those looking to learn about Leadership for Change

Smithsonian Affiliations is utilizing the StoryMap as their homepage for the Leadership for Change Internship Program this year. Blue Raster worked within the Smithsonian’s timeline to allow for a launch date right at the beginning of 2024.  The deadline to apply for the Leadership for Change internship program is February 26th, 2024. We encourage everyone to share this great opportunity with young people that may be interested in applying.

Map Showing national impact of intern projects

The map portion of the StoryMap highlights the nation-wide community impacts of past internship projects

Enrich your Projects with ArcGIS StoryMaps

Blue Raster is here to discuss your project and explore the possibilities of ArcGIS Story Maps. Our talented team of designers and GIS analysts will work closely with you to understand your goals and vision. Blue Raster can turn your ideas into immersive and engaging narratives that leave a lasting impact. Contact Blue Raster now to embark on a journey of storytelling, innovation, and project enrichment.

SI Affiliations StoryMap Overview

Overview of ArcGIS Story Map

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

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.

Jane Goodall Templeton StoryMap

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.

StoryMap screenshot

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!

Templeton StoryMap

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Above the Waters: A Cinematic Journey Through the Delaware River Watershed

The Delaware River holds a rich tapestry of history, playing a pivotal role in the development of the United States and serving as a witness to centuries of human activity. Flowing for approximately 330 miles through the eastern United States, the river originates in the Catskill Mountains of New York and eventually empties into the Delaware Bay. Its watershed encompasses parts of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, making it a vital waterway that has shaped the region's cultural, economic, and environmental landscape.

It serves as a source of drinking water, supports diverse ecosystems, and offers recreational opportunities. Efforts to balance conservation and development persist, as communities work together to ensure the sustainable use and preservation of this historic and ecologically significant waterway. Today, the Delaware River continues to play a crucial role in the lives of millions of people. The Delaware River stands as a symbol of the intertwined relationship between human societies and the natural environment, showcasing the ongoing importance of responsible stewardship for future generations.

Telling the Story of the Delaware River Watershed

Blue Raster partnered with Delaware Currents to create and deliver an educational video about the Delaware river watershed. With aerial footage provided by Light Hawk and contributions from Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE), viewers can embark on an immersive journey along the Delaware River learning about its history, challenges and significance.

Embarking on a flight along the Delaware River unveils a captivating journey through time, weaving together the threads of history, culture, and environmental significance that have shaped this iconic waterway and its expansive watershed. This aerial expedition provides a unique perspective, allowing us to appreciate the interconnectedness of the region's past, present, and future.

 

Delaware River Storyboard

As we approach the 20th century, the flight takes us over urban centers and industrial landscapes, bearing witness to the environmental challenges that emerged. Efforts to balance industrial progress with environmental preservation became increasingly critical, leading to the establishment of regulatory bodies like the Delaware River Basin Commission. This commitment to conservation aimed to protect the river's waters and ecosystems for future generations.

The journey concludes as we survey the modern landscape shaped by environmental stewardship and community engagement. The Delaware River stands as a testament to the resilience of ecosystems, the importance of clean water, and the ongoing efforts to balance human needs with environmental sustainability. From the headwaters to the estuary, the flight along the Delaware River highlights not just a waterway but a living, breathing testament to the intertwined history, culture, and ecology of the region—a journey through our history, our watershed.

The Impact of Partnerships in Storytelling

The creation of the video  involved a collaborative effort, bringing together various organizations, contributors, and media partners to produce a visually stunning and informative exploration of the Delaware River. Brought to you by Delaware Currents, the video's production was made possible through the support of key entities and contributors. The Blue Raster team was responsible for editing and production of the video, incorporating GIS element to provide a more spatial context and location-based visualizations. Of particular note, the DRBC played a pivotal role in providing insights into the river's management, regulatory efforts, and environmental conservation while the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary added valuable insights into the ecological importance of the river's estuarine region and its role in sustaining diverse ecosystems. Media partners played a crucial role in amplifying the project's reach, ensuring that the video's content was well researched and reached the necessary audiences through various platforms.

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