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Tag: Survey123

Flood Risk Mapping for Future Planning: Blue Raster and Climate Central Drive Climate Resilience in 2025

Posted on by Chigo Ibeh

As climate change drives rising seas and more frequent extreme weather, communities need accessible, location-specific tools to understand and prepare for future flood risks. Translating complex climate models into actionable insights remains a challenge, especially when communicating risks to the public and decision makers in a clear and engaging way.

Climate Central is a nonprofit organization of scientists and communicators who translate climate data into maps, images, and local stories. Their mission is to help people understand how climate change affects their lives today and in the future. Their tools have informed journalists, planners, and community leaders across the country and around the world.

Partnering to Advance Climate Resilience

To support this mission, Blue Raster partnered with Climate Central to develop and scale FloodVision, a new ArcGIS Experience Builder application that delivers immersive, street level views of future flood scenarios. This innovative tool enables planners, emergency managers, educators, and residents to visualize flood risk driven by sea level rise and storm events across multiple timelines.

FloodVision is powered by imagery captured through Climate Central’s FloodRover, a vehicle equipped with GPS, lidar, and stereoscopic cameras. Blue Raster supported the deployment of this application within ArcGIS Enterprise, configuring its data model and workflows to power a smooth, interactive experience.

Flood Vision 1

Flood Vision 1

Two datasets in the ArcGIS Data Store, a metadata table and a spatial feature class, are linked by a unique key and drive the application's functionality. The application is built using ArcGIS Experience Builder, which provides a flexible, modern framework that is fundamental to creating an immersive and responsive user experience.

Flood images, stored as JPEGs in Google Drive, are linked using item IDs. Blue Raster created custom Python scripts to clean, organize, and publish this data to the ArcGIS platform. Additionally, Blue Raster implemented an ArcGIS Survey123 form to allow users to easily request and download visuals directly from the app for noncommercial use.'

Flood vision 3

Building Tools for Impact

With FloodVision, Climate Central is helping communities visualize future flood risks with clarity and precision. The platform supports planning, public education, and resilience strategies by making climate data understandable and locally relevant.

At Blue Raster, we believe in the power of GIS for Good, using geospatial technology to drive meaningful change, inform communities, and support organizations working toward a more sustainable and equitable future. We collaborate with mission driven partners to build tools that make complex data accessible, actionable, and impactful. In the face of climate change, we are committed to advancing climate resilience through innovative geospatial solutions.

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The New NC Equitable Foodshed Map is Amplifying Support for Farmers and Ranchers in North Carolina

Posted on by Chigo Ibeh

At Blue Raster, we are passionate about using GIS technology to create solutions that drive positive change. Blue Raster supported the Croatan Institute in their mission to empower underserved farmers and ranchers through the data updates and enhancements to the NC Equitable Foodshed Map.

The Croatan Institute is a nonprofit organization based in North Carolina dedicated to fostering economic and racial equity through research, policy advocacy, and direct engagement with communities. Their work focuses on creating pathways for sustainable development, specifically within underserved and marginalized communities in North Carolina.

This important project is part of the Racial Equity, Economics, Finance, and Sustainability (REEFS) program. The program provides support for farmers and ranchers in North Carolina, particularly those from historically disadvantaged communities, by helping them access critical technical assistance and financial resources. The NC Equitable Foodshed Map, a key tool in this initiative, serves as an essential resource for these farmers and ranchers to navigate the complexities of obtaining support.

Blue Raster’s Role in Supporting the NC Equitable Foodshed Map

Blue Raster was tasked with transitioning and enhancing the NC Equitable Foodshed Map, which was originally built using ArcGIS Web App Builder. The goal was to improve the user experience while preserving the map’s original functionality. A key element of our support for the Croatan Institute was transitioning the legacy application from ArcGIS Web App Builder to ArcGIS Experience Builder. The retirement of ArcGIS Web App Builder highlighted the need for a more advanced and flexible solution, making the transition to ArcGIS Experience Builder essential for enhancing the user experience and ensuring long-term sustainability of the tool. Blue Raster redesigned the map’s layout and functionalities, making it easier for farmers and ranchers to access the resources they need.

Foodshed Map 2.0To enhance the NC Equitable Foodshed Map further, Blue Raster utilized ArcGIS Survey123 to create a feedback mechanism that allows users to share their experiences and provide valuable input. Blue Raster configured three surveys specifically designed to gather feedback from users about their interactions with USDA facilities and other services offered through the REEFS program. This feedback is essential for ensuring the map remains relevant and effective for its users. By directly collecting input from underserved farmers and ranchers, the Croatan Institute can make informed decisions about how to improve and expand the platform over time.

Additionally, Blue Raster configured ArcGIS Instant Apps with reviewer workflows for the REEFS program staff. This allowed administrators to review and manage survey responses easily. The reviewer application ensures that feedback can be tagged to specific organizations or services and prevents the submission of spam or irrelevant content.

The NC Equitable Foodshed Map and its integrated surveys are available in both English and Spanish, ensuring that language is not a barrier to accessing vital agricultural resources or sharing feedback. By offering bilingual functionality, the platform supports broader participation from diverse communities across North Carolina, helping to foster inclusivity and equity for underserved farmers and ranchers.

Empowering the REEFS Program with GIS Technology

Through this engagement, Blue Raster helped the Croatan Institute enhance the NC Equitable Foodshed Map to better serve underserved farmers and ranchers. This project supports the broader mission of the REEFS program, which works to advance racial equity and sustainability within the agricultural sector. With these tools in hand, the REEFS program staff can maintain and update the map as needed, ensuring that it remains a valuable resource for the communities it serves. By providing farmers and ranchers with the tools they need to access essential resources, the NC Equitable Foodshed Map plays a pivotal role in supporting the long-term success of underserved communities.

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