Field Notes

The Field Notes Podcast is focused on communicating and exploring all things Field Operations at Esri. We’ll explore a variety of topics that showcase the range and use of mobile GIS technology. The ability to take your data, forms, and maps into the field using a cellphone or tablet has changed the way organizations have approached field workflows—and we want to dive into as many as possible!

Season 4 trailer

Welcome to the Field Notes podcast, where we engage with customers and Esri staff to understand mobile GIS, share stories from the field, and explore all things Field Operations. On this season, we’re focusing on designing better field workflows—so get ready for exciting stories and top tips to help improve your own work.

04-17
00:55

Something fishy: monitoring salmon populations to protect watersheds

In this episode of Field Notes, we chat with Andrea Pecharich and Andrew Bartshire, who work with the Russian River Salmon and Steelhead Monitoring program. The data they collect with Esri Field Apps helps conservationists monitor fish populations, analyze patterns, and ultimately recover California's endangered fish species. Highlights from this episode include: Combatting climate change by monitoring salmon and steelhead populations Using Field Maps and Survey123 in tandem to collect data Creating adaptive database structures Working in offline environments

12-20
37:20

Something in the water: monitoring cyanobacteria with mobile GIS

Shane Bradt is an extension professor at the University of New Hampshire and a member of the team responsible for creating the bloomWatch app. The app allows community members to report cases of cyanobacteria, a form of algae that’s harmful to human health, in their local lakes. In this episode of Field Notes, we talk with Shane about the importance of monitoring cyanobacteria, considerations for designing the app, and where his team will take it next. For more information about Shane’s UC presentation, check out the Crowdsourcing Cyanobacteria with bloomWatch presentation slides.

09-06
34:42

Live from San Diego: UC 2022

Another Esri User Conference is in the books, and it was a whirlwind to say the least! It was wonderful spending a week devoted to GIS in sunny San Diego, and it was fantastic talking to so many customers about Esri Field Apps. Hear from some of those voices on the latest episode of Field Notes. The following are additional resources mentioned in this episode of Field Notes: Esri User Conference Website Plenary recordings What's new in ArcGIS Mobile apps

08-10
20:12

Wings in windowsills: restoring habitat with community science

The Chicago Field Museum partners with the community on a variety of science projects, including an effort to restore the Eastern Monarch Butterfly population (which has declined 80% in the past two decades). We sit down with Mark Johnston and Karen Klinger, GIS analysts for the museum, and discuss how they employ community science to gather data, restore habitats, and raise awareness of conservation issues in Chicago and beyond. Additional resources Monarch Community Science Hub Chicago Wilderness Hub Field Museum homepage Rights-of-way as Habitat working group Rights-of-way as Habitat Geospatial Database To Save the Monarch Butterfly: Taking Action with Maps

07-06
30:42

Field Snack #1: User Conference 2022

Welcome to our first Field Snack: a short form episode that delivers bite-sized information. On this inaugural episode, we talk about the biggest Esri event of the year: the User Conference (UC). There is so much going on with Field Operations at UC 2022, and we break it all down in this episode. Hear from the presenters themselves, find out about different events taking place throughout the week, and learn how you can share your story with Esri staff (including the hosts of Field Notes). Additional resources Esri User Conference (homepage) Detailed agenda (webpage) Where to find Field Maps at the 2022 Esri User Conference (blog post) ArcGIS Survey 123 at the Esri User Conference 2022 (blog post) ArcGIS QuickCapture at the Esri User Conference 2022 (blog post) App Builders at the 2022 Esri User Conference (blog post)

06-30
08:55

Disinfected data: keeping classrooms clean during a pandemic

In this episode of Field Notes, we sit down with Levi Cecil, GIS Specialist for Portland Public Schools, and discuss how he and his team use floor-aware mapping, ArcGIS Survey123, and ArcGIS Field Maps to prioritize and maintain school sanitation during these unprecedented times. The following are additional resources relevant to this episode of Field Notes: Create a floor-aware map in Field Maps (help topic) Floor-aware map and floor filter quick reference in Field Maps (help topic) Create surveys in Survey123 (help topic) For more information about the episode, see the blog post announcement.

06-01
23:07

Live from Palm Springs: Dev Summit 2022

Last month we packed up our podcasting gear and traveled to Palm Springs, CA for the Esri Developer Summit. It was a jam-packed week filled with informative tech sessions, inspiring demos, and incredible conversations with Esri customers (some of which you’ll hear on this episode!).  We also met for the first-time in person! Listen to our live experience of the 2022 Dev Summit and hear firsthand from users of Esri Field Operations.  The following are additional resources mentioned in this episode of Field Notes: Dev Summit Plenary Sessions (video playlist) Map Viewer introduces animated flow renderer (blog post) Field Operations sessions at the 2022 Esri Developer Summit Conference (blog post)

04-27
33:31

Let the city guide you: facilitating change with GIS

Dr. Christine Wacta is an architect and facilitator at the Savannah College of Art and Design. On this episode of Field Notes, Dr. Wacta talks about her personal journey with GIS and the importance of incorporating geography into her architecture class—including using ArcGIS QuickCapture to collect data about the urban environment.

04-20
26:11

A gamechanger: developing mobile apps for non-profits

We’re kicking off Season 2 of the Field Notes podcast with Martha Rodgers, CEO and Founder of Bay Park Data Solutions. Martha and her team develop GIS solutions for non-profit organizations, including the focus of this episode: the Global CHE Network. In this episode, Martha talks about the common requirements for developing apps for non-profits and how ArcGIS AppStudio was perfect for creating an app for Global CHE (with little to no coding involved).

03-31
21:59

Field Notes Trailer

Welcome to the Field Notes podcast, where we explore all things Esri Field Operations. 

03-31
01:05

Everyone is a mobile worker: 2021 Field Notes year in review

The first season of Field Notes has officially come to a close. On our final episode of the season, we talk about our favorite moments from the past six episodes and reflect on all we’ve learned. We’ve had the opportunity to interview some fantastic guests on our first season, with one theme tying them all together: everyone is a mobile worker. Visit the episode announcement blog post to fill out the survey and access the resources mentioned in this episode. 

01-07
28:44

ArcGIS Solutions, a participatory sport

On this episode of Field Notes, we interview the lead of ArcGIS Solutions, Scott Oppmann, and discuss the variety of solutions that Esri offers, the importance of citizen engagement to help improve communities, and how GIS continues to grow in its integration with mobile workflows. 

12-02
30:37

Counting cats at UC 2021

In this episode of the Field Notes podcast, we talk about our highlights from UC 2021. From the Plenary sessions to the User Presentations, there were some great stories centered on Field Operations. 

08-12
19:21

Census, cola and crocodiles, oh my!

In this episode, Josh and D'Maia sit down with Marika Vertzonis and talk about the history of using forms and GIS in the field and how mobile apps continue to evolve and streamline data collection. What do the census, vending machines and crocodiles all have in common?  Find out in this episode. 

07-20
20:44

Where did the field apps go?

The first episode of Field Notes is a conversation with Jeff Shaner, the Lead Product Engineer for the Field Apps team. We talk about the evolution of field apps and how we’ve landed on our newest product, ArcGIS Field Maps.

06-08
31:50

Improving fire inspection workflows with GIS

The City of Johns Creek, Georgia implements GIS into many of their workflows. In this episode, we sit down with Catherine Cronlund, a GIS Analyst for Johns Creek, to learn how her team uses their “Esri toolbox” to improve the city’s fire inspection program.

09-18
22:46

Mapping paths with Ramblers Scotland

Ramblers Scotland's mission is for “everyone to enjoy the pleasure of walking”. To help achieve this mission, they have created a Scottish Paths map that helps citizens discover over 42,000 miles of trails across the country. On this episode, we sit down with the project manager for this initiative, Luke Phillips, to learn how his team of volunteers use field apps to map trails throughout Scotland.

07-31
18:54

Dragons in the garden: protecting reptiles and amphibians in the United Kingdom

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rob Ward, the Senior Data and GIS Officer for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation trust (ARC). We learn how his organization uses Esri Field Apps and citizen science to monitor and protect wildlife throughout the United Kingdom. 

06-12
28:11

Keeping food secure with Napa County

California produces half of the nation's fruits and vegetables, so agricultural protection is a key pillar for the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner's office. In this episode, we sit down with Anna Norton and Andre Napolitano, two Deputy Commissioners for Napa County, to learn how they use GIS to manage pests that threaten the country's produce. Listen to the episode as they share their story and top tips for improving your own GIS workflows.

04-24
30:00

Recommend Channels