Field Notes
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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!
Available episodes
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May 24, 2023
Conserving Atlanta’s tree canopy: a conversation with Trees Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia is often called the city of trees, however increased development over the past several years has threatened the natural landscape the city is known for. Trees Atlanta is one organization working to restore the city's tree population by raising awareness and developing a variety of initiatives to plant trees across the city. One of these initiatives is the Front Yard Tree Program, which allows Atlanta residents to request that trees be planted right outside of their home. In this episode, we talk with Angela McTigue and James Moy, members of Trees Atlanta who use surveys and mobile maps to drive their conservation efforts.
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Apr 12, 2023
Mapping seaside: Protecting sea turtles with GIS
Amber Kuehn is the director of the Sea Turtle Patrol on Hilton Head Island. During nesting season, her and her team of volunteers wake up before the sun to look for one thing: sea turtle nests. On this episode of Field Notes, learn how ArcGIS Field Maps and EOS receivers are used to map sea turtle nests, listen to first-hand accounts of sea turtle encounters, and understand the importance of protecting this endangered species.
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Apr 7, 2023
Field Notes Season 3
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 how field apps are used across a variety of environmental efforts.
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Dec 21, 2022
Field Snack #3: Farewell, 2022
Another year flies by and with it another season of the Field Notes podcast. On this short, final episode, Josh and D’Maia reflect on the past year of podcasting about Esri Field Apps and mobile GIS.
We hope you have a happy holiday season and a fantastic new year! We have so many exciting things in store for season three of Field Notes, and can’t wait to see you then. In the meantime, be sure to fill out the feedback survey so we create the content you want to listen to.
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Dec 21, 2022
Transforming the Oldham County Water District with GNSS
Kenny Ratliff is the GIS Manager at the Oldham County Water District, where they manage 370 miles of water main and treat 1.2 billion gallons of water annually. On this episode of Field Notes, Kenny discusses how Esri Field Apps and EOS Positioning Systems helped transform their mobile operations from paper mapping to robust, high-accuracy data management. Check out the full episode announcement blog post.
Oldham County Water District would like to dedicate this episode to Board Commissioner Mel Milburn. A Surveyor and Professional Engineer, he was a strong advocate for GIS use by the utility. His unexpected passing just prior to this release is a loss for the organization. Additional resources
* EOS Positioning Systems
* Prepare for high-accuracy data collection (Field Maps)
* Prepare for high-accuracy data collection (Survey123)
* Use a high-accuracy receiver (QuickCapture)
* Prepare for high-accuracy data collection (AppStudio)
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Nov 9, 2022
Best practices for GNSS data collection
On this episode, we’re joined by Dan Colbert and Jeff Ryan from Trimble. They talk about the value of high-accuracy data collection and share best practices for using GNSS receivers—covering everything from preparing a data collection project to practical tips while working with receivers in the field. Timestamps
* 2:57—Difference between GPS and GNSS
* 4:27—Examples of when high-accuracy data collection is necessary
* 7:00—Additional value of using GNSS receivers
* 11:00—What to consider when preparing for GNSS data collection
* 17:43—Factors that don’t affect high-accuracy
* 19:46—Best practices while using GNSS receivers in the field Additional resources
* Trimble Positioning
* Trimble Catalyst
* Prepare for high-accuracy data collection (Field Maps)
* Prepare for high-accuracy data collection (Survey123)
* Use a high-accuracy receiver (QuickCapture)
* Prepare for high-accuracy data collection (AppStudio)
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Nov 9, 2022
Field Snack #2: Covering the basics of high-accuracy data collection
High-accuracy data collection is often a requirement when adding and inspecting assets on a map. While your phone can provide a location accuracy of a few meters, high-accuracy GNSS receivers can ensure submeter, or even centimeter level accuracy when collecting data.
On this Field Snack, we break down the basics of high-accuracy data collection—covering basic definitions and terminology, the ArcGIS data model for GPS metadata, and how GNSS receivers can be paired with Esri field apps. Additional resources
* To the Sea, Safely (ArcWatch article)
* Prepare for high-accuracy data collection (Field Maps)
* Prepare for high-accuracy data collection (Survey123)
* Use a high-accuracy receiver (QuickCapture)
* Prepare for high-accuracy data collection (AppStudio)
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Sep 28, 2022
From the ground level: streamlining city workflows with field apps
David Webb is a GIS Solutions Developer for the engineering firm, Meshek & Associates. We first met David at the User Conference, where he stopped by our booth every day to discuss the latest features and capabilities of Esri Field Apps. In David’s role, he is tasked with developing mobile solutions for clients that help integrate modern GIS capabilities into their city workflows. It was a pleasure to sit down with him and talk about his experiences and passion for GIS. Check out the announcement blog post: https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/field-notes/from-the-ground-level-streamlining-city-workflows-with-field-apps/
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Aug 24, 2022
Locate, route, respond: navigating to utility assets with mobile maps
In this episode of Field Notes, we dive into creating and using maps for mobile navigation. We sit down with Katherine Fuller to learn how her team at San Diego Gas and Electric uses mobile map packages (MMPKs), route layers, and custom locators in ArcGIS Navigator to route to assets, view attribute information, and respond to emergencies in the field.
Additional Resources:
* ArcGIS Navigator Overview page
* Prepare Navigator (help topic)
* Manage hydrant inspections (Learn lesson)
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Aug 10, 2022
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
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Jul 6, 2022
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
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Jun 30, 2022
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)
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Jun 1, 2022
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.
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Apr 27, 2022
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)
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Apr 20, 2022
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.
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Mar 31, 2022
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).
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Mar 31, 2022
Field Notes Trailer
Welcome to the Field Notes podcast, where we explore all things Esri Field Operations.
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Jan 7, 2022
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.
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Dec 2, 2021
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.
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Oct 29, 2021
Restoring Birdtopia: GIS in Conservation
Scott Sambell is the founder of Ethos Environmental and our latest guest on the Field Notes podcast. Scott lives and works in New Zealand where he and his trusty dog, Milly, work to eradicate invasive species from island ecosystems. This effort involves a wide range of GIS technology, including drone imagery, heat sensing, offline data collection, location tracking, and much more. Listen to the latest episode of Field Notes to learn how Scott and his team use GIS to conserve the rich biodiversity of New Zealand.
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Sep 21, 2021
Inherently spatial: GIS in agriculture
In this episode of the Field Notes podcast, we sit down with Elvis Takow, a Solutions Engineer on the Esri Natural Resources team. Elvis discusses the role of GIS in commercial agriculture and how it’s used to select sites, inspect crops, combat climate change, and more.
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Aug 12, 2021
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.
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Jul 20, 2021
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.
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Jun 8, 2021
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.
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