Map Your Message: Using Free Mapping Software

Wilder Research Map Your Message: Using Free Mapping Software Wilder Research October, 2015

Wilder Research Today s agenda: 1. Why use a map 2. When it doesn t make sense to use a map 3. How to build a compelling, clear map 4. Learn to navigate free mapping software

Mapping seems trendy when did it start?

Why use maps A map is worth a thousand numbers

Why use maps continued

Why use maps continued Explore your region/test ideas: Show the geographical location and spatial distribution of data Compare different areas

When it doesn t make sense to produce a map

A word of caution: Poorly used maps

A word of caution: Poorly used maps

A good map: is simple and easily understood; has a clear and objective message; gives an accurate representation of the data and does not mislead; attracts the reader s attention to the most important information; is well presented and attractive; fits the output format and your audience; can stand by itself with out further explanations; is accessible to color-blind persons.

Art, Science, and Technology= A Great Map Baseball Fans New York Times, 2014

GIS versus free mapping software GIS means geographic information systems Most organizations work on issues that are geographic neighborhoods, cities, counties, regions, states, etc. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can help groups be more effective in carrying out their programs.

How do I decide what program to use? Consider what you need to know to answer your question How many layers of data will you need? more layers = more complex software How much capacity does your organization have? training, software, etc.

More considerations for choosing mapping programs Do you need to publish the image? How much do you need to customize the map? How often do you need to make maps?

Questions so far?

Ok! Let s make a map!

Step 1: Go to PolicyMap.com

Step 1: Go to PolicyMap.com And register for a free account!

Step 1: Go to PolicyMap.com Take a second to look at this beautiful creature

Step 2: Enter your city

Step 2: Or zip code (for more specificity)

Any questions so far?

Step 3: Start adding data

Step 3: Start adding data PolicyMap has pre-loaded data layers and data points

Step 3: Start adding data Data layers and data points are created from public data sources, primarily the Census and American Community Survey (ACS) You can combine data layers and data points and multiple data points, but cannot display more than one data layer at a time Most data layers are accessible on the free version

Step 3: Start adding data

Curious about where the data comes from? Click on this data descriptor for a full breakdown of what data sources are used

Step 4: Lookin at your data On the left side of the map, you ll find a breakdown of what you re looking at with a key for what the different colors mean These aren t changeable with the free version

Step 4: Lookin at your data Play around with different data layers the more data you look at, the better you understand your community These data can be used to better articulate your community s needs, risk factors, and differences from other communities to your coalition, stakeholders, and wider community

Step 4: Lookin at your data Some data layers and points that may be particularly helpful: Age (15-17, 18-20) K-12 schools Colleges and universities Beer, wine, and liquor stores per 100,000 people

Any questions?

Discuss with a neighbor! What data are most interesting to you? Is this sort of mapping helpful in your work? How so? If not, why not? What data are most applicable to your work? Who would benefit from seeing mapped data about your area?

Limitations of PolicyMap Nothing s perfect, and PolicyMap is no exception. With a free account, you can t: Map your own data points Access some of their data Do 3-layer maps

Other resources Google Earth Pro Is now free, but offers very limited demographic information (median income and average age not much else) BatchGeo Allows you to map addresses from Excel onto Google Maps, doesn t have data layers or points internally

Questions?

Thank you! For further questions, contact Kelsey Imbertson Kelsey.imbertson@wilder.org Or Emma Connell Emma.connell@wilder.org