Map your community cleanup

You're organizing a community cleanup event. You and your fellow community members will pick up various litter throughout your community and identify what resources are needed to maintain clean spaces. In this tutorial, you'll prepare a map and form for data collection. As you collect litter during the event, you'll record data using ArcGIS Field Maps. When the event is over, you'll visualize the litter data using ArcGIS Insights.

This tutorial was last tested on June 3, 2024.

Requirements

• ArcGIS organizational account with a Publisher, Facilitator, or Administrator role (see options for software access or learn about free ArcGIS education licensing for K-12 instructional use)
• ArcGIS Field Maps
• ArcGIS Insights
• A smartphone or tablet with Android 8.0 or later or iOS 13.5 or later

Prepare the map and form

Before your cleanup event begins, you'll prepare the map and form that community members will use to collect data using the Field Maps Designer web app.

Create the community cleanup layer and map

First, you'll create the map and layer that community members will use to collect litter data in the Field Maps mobile app.

1. Sign in to your ArcGIS organizational account.

   Note:

   If you don't have an organizational account, see options for software access.

2. On the ribbon click the app launcher. Click Field Maps Designer.

   

   The Maps page appears.

3. On the Maps page, click New Map.

   

   The New map page appears with on-screen instructions to help guide you through the map creation process. Next, you'll define the layers used for data collection.

4. For Layer name, type Esri Community Clean Up. For Layer type choose Point Layer.

   

   You’ll use this layer later in the tutorial to build the form mobile workers will use to collect data.

5. At the bottom of the page, click Next.

   The Layer settings tab appears. You will accept the defaults.

6. Click Next.
7. In the Title and save window, set the following parameters:

   • For Map title, type Esri Community Cleanup Map and your initials to ensure that the name is unique in your organization.
   • For Feature layer title, type Esri Community Cleanup layer and your initials to ensure that the name is unique in your organization.
   • In the Folder drop-down menu, select what folder to save the map in or create a new folder.

   

8. Click Create map.

   Your map is saved as an item in your organization and opens in the Field Maps Designer on the Forms page.

   You've created the layer and map community members will use during the event.

In the next section, you'll configure the map thumbnail, and the form community members will fill out during data collection.

Configure the map thumbnail

You'll configure the thumbnail for the data collection map in so it's easily identifiable in the Field Maps mobile app.

1. On the side pane, click Overview.

   

   The item details page for your community cleanup map appears.

2. Point to the map thumbnail and click Change Thumbnail. Change the thumbnail to an image of your choice by navigating to it.

   

   Thumbnail images must be 600 x 400 pixels, landscape orientation, PNG or JPG format, and not larger than 1 MB in size. This will help participants identify the map in the Field Maps mobile app.

Set the map extent and basemap

Next, you'll set the basemap and map extent for the map in Map Viewer.

1. In the Overview tab, click Open in Map Viewer.

   

2. On the map, click Search.

   

3. In the search bar, type the address of the location for your community cleanup, click the correct result, or press Enter. For this tutorial, you can type 380 New York St, Redlands, CA, which is the address of Esri headquarters.

   

   The map zooms in on the address, and a pop-up appears with the search result.

4. Close the pop-up.
5. Adjust the zoom level of your map to show the extent of the area where your community cleanup will happen.
6. On the Contents (dark) toolbar, click Basemap and in the Basemap pane, choose Topographic.

   

   Note:

   Depending on your organization settings, the Topographic basemap may already be the default basemap.

   Next, you will save your map.

7. On the Contents (dark) toolbar, click Save and open and click Save.

   

8. Close the window and return to Field Maps Designer.

Configure the form

The last step before starting your cleanup event is creating the form that will be used for data collection.

1. On the side pane, click Forms.

   The Forms page appears.

2. In the Forms pane, under Layers, click your community cleanup layer.

   

   The blank form canvas opens. This is where you'll configure the form that community members will use when collecting data in the Field Maps mobile app.

   The Form elements list shows all the form elements that can be added to and used in the form. The list includes the fields included in the community cleanup layer as well as any additional fields you added.

   During the community clean up event participants will work in teams. You'll add a form element to make it easier for community members to record which team cleaned up a given piece of litter.

3. From the Form elements list, under Choice, drag and drop a Radio buttons element onto the form.
4. In the display name field, type Group Name.
5. Keep the Field type as string and the Input type as Radio buttons (the team names will appear as buttons on the form).

   

6. Click Create list.

   The List of values window appears.

7. Add the following list items in the Label column:

   • Recycling Friends
   • Sustainability Crew
   • Litter Patrol
   • Trash Busters

   Note:

   Use the Add button to add the labels

   The values added in the Label column are automatically copied to the Code column. The Label value is displayed in the form, and the Code value is stored in the layer. You can add as many groups as you need for your community cleanup.

   

8. Click Done. In the Create list window, click Continue.

   These group names will appear as options in the form that community members fill out during the event.

9. In the Properties pane, under Logic, check the box next to Required to require that mobile workers enter a group name before submitting the form.

   

   Next, you’ll add a form element that will be used to record the type of items found during the cleanup.

10. Close the Properties pane.
11. Drag and drop another radio button element onto the form underneath the Group Name element.
12. In the Display name field, type Item Type.
13. For Field name, type ItemType.
14. Keep the Field type as String and the Input type as Radio buttons.
15. Click Create list and add the following labels.

    • Recyclable — Items that can be recycled (paper, plastic, cardboard, and glass)
    • Lost and found — Items that are in good shape and that seem to have an owner (school supplies, cell phone, clothing item, and so on)
    • Refundable — Items that can be turned in for money (empty aluminum can)
    • Trash — Discarded waste that should be thrown away (empty candy wrapper, chip bag, tissue)
    • Hazardous — Material that is dangerous to touch or pick up (broken bottles, needles)

    Add any other items types you expect to encounter during the cleanup.

    Note:

    The Code, the value stored in the layer, will by default inherit the full label text. You may want to shorten those values.

16. Click Done. In the Create list window, click Continue.
17. Under Logic, check the box next to Required and close the Properties pane.

    The data collected during the community clean up event will be used to create a chart of the collected items. You’ll add a form element that will be used to record the number of items collected.

18. Drag and drop the Number - Integer form element onto the form canvas underneath the Item type element.
19. In the Display name field, type Item Count.
20. In the Field name field, type Item_Count.
21. In the Placeholder field, type 1.
22. In the Default value field, type 1.

    

    This element will be used in the background for ArcGIS Insights, so it does not need to be shown on the form.

23. Under the Logic section, uncheck the box next to Visible to make the item hidden.

    

24. Click out of the Properties pane to close it.
25. In the Form elements pane, under Basic, drag and drop the Text – Multiline element on to your form.
26. In the Display name field, type Item Description.

    Next, you'll add additional context that participants may need during the event.

27. For Description, type: For example: candy wrapper, sharp object, paper recyclable, lost notebook, biohazardous material.

    

    On the form preview pane, the Description text provides additional context so community members can have an idea of what they could include for that form entry.

28. Under Logic, check the box next to Required and close the Properties pane.

    The form preview shows what the form will look like on the Field Maps mobile app.

    

    When participants collect data in the mobile app, this form will appear. It allows them to fill out their group name, item type, and an item description of the collected item (along with any other custom fields you added).

29. On the ribbon, click Save to map to save your form.
    

    While you are configuring the layer, you have the option to add more form elements to allow community members to capture other data during the cleanup. For example, depending on your interests, you might add elements to capture the following:

    • Number of visible trash cans (Form element: Number-Integer) (Type: Integer)
    • Terrain type (Form element: Radio buttons) (Type: String) (List options: street, forest, beach, and so on)
    • Area type (Form element: Radio buttons) (Type: String) (List options: residential, commercial, and so on)

30. On the side pane, click Sharing.

    

    The Sharing page appears.

    Setting the sharing level will enable you to share the map with the accounts your participants will use when collecting data using the Field Maps mobile app.

31. Click Set sharing level.

    

    You can share the map with your entire organization or to a group you created for this event. If you create a group and share to the group, add the members of the organization who will participate in the event as members of the group.

32. In the Share window, click Organization and click Save.

    

33. In the Review sharing window, click Update to also share the community cleanup layer with the same share settings as the map.
34. Close the Field Maps Designer browser tab and your community cleanup map browser tab.

Once you share your map and layer, you and your community members are ready to download the Field Maps mobile app and begin your cleanup event. Everyone who uses the app will need to be a member of your ArcGIS Online organization.

Collect data

Previously, you created a community cleanup map. Now, you'll use that map to collect data about the litter you find during a community cleanup event. You'll use the ArcGIS Field Maps mobile app to collect the data.

Download the mobile app

To start collecting data, you'll download the ArcGIS Field Maps app onto your mobile device. Field Maps is available on both Android and iOS.

1. On your smartphone or tablet, find ArcGIS Field Maps on Google Play (for Android devices) or the App Store (for iOS devices).
2. Download and install ArcGIS Field Maps.

   You must install the app on every mobile device that will be used to record data during the community cleanup.

3. After the app has been installed, open ArcGIS Field Maps and sign in to your ArcGIS account.

   

   Once you are signed in, the Maps list appears. The list includes maps you have created in your account. It also has a section for groups, where maps shared with groups that you are a member of will be available.

   Note:

   If multiple people are going to participate in the cleanup using multiple devices, create a group, add them to it, and share the map with the group.

Open the community cleanup map

Next, in the Field Maps mobile app, you'll open the community cleanup map. This is the map you'll use while collecting litter data.

1. In the Maps list, search for and tap your community cleanup map to open it.

   

2. When prompted, allow Field Maps access to your location.
3. The map zooms to your location, and you can collect some points where you are.

   If you accidentally change the map extent, tap the GPS button to center on your location.

   

Collect data on a trash item

You're now ready to begin the community cleanup event. As you come across trash and other litter, you'll add a new data point on your map in Field Maps. When adding a new data point, you can select from the following item list:

• Recyclable—Items that can be recycled (paper, plastic, cardboard, and glass)
• Lost and found—Items that are in good shape and that seem to have an owner (school supplies, cell phone, clothing item, and so on)
• Refundable—Items that can be turned in for money (empty aluminum can)
• Trash—Discarded waste that should be thrown away (empty candy wrapper, chip bag, tissue,)
• Hazardous—Material that is dangerous to touch or pick up (broken bottles, needles)
• And any other category you added when configuring the feature layer (for example, Auto parts).

You'll start by adding a point for an empty candy wrapper you find and designating it as trash in your collection.

1. Tap Add to capture the candy wrapper's location.

   

2. Swipe up on the form so that it fills your entire screen.

   

3. In the form, enter the following information:
   • For Group Name, choose your group name from the list.
   • For Item type, choose Trash.
   • For Item description, type Candy wrapper to describe what type of trash it is.

   

4. Swipe down to hide the form.
5. Tap Update Point to add the point to your map.

   Note:

   GPS accuracy varies depending on your device and location. If your GPS accuracy is below 30 ft, the default minimum required value, you may see Add Point instead of Update Point. See Specify the required accuracy and confidence to learn more.

   

6. Tap the checkmark (Android) or tap Submit (iOS) to share the trash location you collected with everyone who has access to the layer.

   

   The new point is added to the map.

Collect data on a lost and found item

Next, you'll collect data on a different type of item you find during the event. For example, suppose you notice that a notebook has been left on the ground and you want to document it and make sure it gets back to its owner.

1. Tap Add to capture the item's location.
2. Tap Take Photo.

   

3. When prompted, allow Field Maps access to your camera.
4. Take a photo of the lost and found item.

   

5. Tap the checkmark (Android) or Use photo (iOS) to attach it.
6. Expand and fill out the form with the following information:
   • For Group Name, choose your group name from the list.
   • For Item type, choose Lost and found.
   • For Item description, type Notebook in the box.

   

7. Minimize the form and tap Update Point to add the point to your map.
8. Tap the checkmark (Android) or tap Submit (iOS) to share the notebook location you collected with everyone who has access to the layer.

   The new point is added to the map.

9. On your own, capture more information about the trash and other materials you collect outside.

Once you are done collecting litter outside, you'll use ArcGIS Insights to visualize your cleanup progress.

Map your cleanup progress

Now that you have collected your data, you'll return to your computer and use ArcGIS Insights to visualize your progress in an interactive report. The report will include a map and charts that show how much litter has been collected, which types of litter are most common, and where the litter was found.

Open a workbook

You'll start by opening an Insights workbook package template. The template is designed to create a report on your cleanup progress.

1. Download the Community_cleanup_template.insightswbk file.

   The file is an Insights workbook package containing the card layout and text boxes, and styles you will use to create your cleanup report.

2. Locate the downloaded file on your computer.

   Note:

   Depending on your web browser, you may have been prompted to choose the file's location before you began the download. Most browsers download to your computer's Downloads folder by default.

3. Go to ArcGIS Insights. If necessary, click Sign in and sign in using your ArcGIS organizational account.

   Note:

   To access ArcGIS Insights in ArcGIS Online, your organization's administrator must grant you a license for it (see options for software access). Learn more about learn about free ArcGIS Education licenses for K-12 instructional use.

4. On the home page, click the Workbooks tab.

   

   The Workbooks page appears. Depending on your previous use of Insights, this page displays the workbooks that you already created or that were shared with you by members of your organization.

5. Click Import and open the file that you downloaded in step 1.

   

   The workbook is loaded onto your Workbook page.

6. Click the workbook to open it.

   It may take a few minutes for the imported workbook to load the first time it is opened.

7. Click the workbook to open it.

   

   The workbook opens in Insights.

   

   The workbook contains one page with three cards, but no data.

In the next section, you will add the data you collected and use it to update the cards in the workbook.

Visualize your data

The cards in the workbook are empty because there are no datasets in the workbook to display. You'll add the dataset with your cleanup data and use it to update the cards on the page.

1. Click the Add to page button on the workbook toolbar.

   

   The Add to page window appears.

2. Add to page window, click My organization and choose My content. On the search bar, type Esri Community Cleanup and click the dataset from your content.

   Note:

   If you have not collected your own features, you can download the MapYourCommunityCleanup_gdb dataset and create a dataset to use in Insights.

   Your Esri Community Cleanup feature layer contains the community_cleanup dataset.

   

   The community_cleanup dataset appears in the Selected Data pane.

3. Click Add to add the dataset to your workbook.

   The dataset is added to the data pane and a map is created. You may need to scroll down on the page to see the new map.

   You'll move this map so that it appears in the large placeholder card already on the page.

4. Click the menu bar of the map and drag the map to the map placeholder card.

   

   The placeholder card updates to show the map of your cleanup progress.

5. If necessary, click the map and zoom in to the area where data was collected.
6. Examine the map.

   Which areas have the most litter? What might be causing the excess litter (for example, a picnic area or an entrance to a building)? Is there a garbage or recycling bin in the area?

Update the chart cards

Next, you'll update the chart cards on the page to show a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) chart and a column chart.

1. On the KPI placeholder card, click <community_cleanup>.

   

   The Replace data pane appears. You'll use this pane to update the card so it uses your dataset.

2. For Choose a dataset, choose your dataset.

   

3. Review the remaining field on the Replace data pane and verify that the Replacement field matches the Original field in each case.

   

4. Click Update.

   The KPI and the column chart cards both update with your data. The KPI shows the total number of items collected in your cleanup.

   How many litter items have been cleaned up so far?

   The column chart shows the count of items by type. The taller the column, the more items were cleaned up.

   Which type of litter was found most commonly in your cleanup?

Change the KPI target

The KPI card has a target value of 100 litter items to pick up. You can change the target value to fit your cleanup goal. If you want to keep the target at 100, you can skip to the next section.

1. Point to the KPI card and click the Show button to see the card toolbar.

   

   The card toolbar is now visible.

2. On the card toolbar, click the Layer options button.

   

   The Layer options pane appears with the Symbology tab open.

3. For Target, click the text box and type the new target of litter to pick up for your class, for example, 150. Press Enter to apply the change.

   

   The target value updates on your KPI card.

   

4. Close the Layer options pane.
5. Click the Hide button to hide the card toolbar.

   

   Now that your map and charts are ready, you will make a few final changes to finish your report.

Complete your progress report

There are a few more steps before your progress report is complete. In this section, you'll prepare the elements on your page to make a final report. The column chart uses a different color for each item type. It would be helpful to use the same colors on the map that are used on the column chart. You can do that by updating the map style to show the same field used on the column chart.

1. On the map card, click the arrow next to the layer name (community_cleanup).

   

   The Layer options pane appears.

2. Click the Symbology tab.

   

3. For Style by, choose the Item type field.

   

   The map updates to use the same colors as the column chart. Depending on the size of the cleanup area, you may find the symbols too small. You can increase the symbol size if necessary.

4. Click the Appearance tab.

   

5. For Symbol size, click the text box and type 8. Close the Layer options pane.

   Now you can use the colors of the points and columns to see where different types of litter are located.

6. On the map card, hover over the points to see more information about each item.

   

   A pop-up appears for the point. The pop-up displays the coordinates where the litter was found, the type of litter, and statistics about the dataset. In the example above, the statistics read 9 of 25, meaning that there were 9 recyclable items collected of 25 total items.

   The coordinates aren't the most important information you could display in the pop-up. Instead, you will replace the coordinates with the description of the collected item.

7. On the data pane, click the arrow next to the community_cleanup dataset.

   

8. Point to the Location field and click the Display field button.

   

9. In the Choose Display Field menu, scroll down and click Item description.

   The display field is changed to the item description. Now when you hover over the points on the map, the pop-up will show the item description rather than the coordinates.

   

   The map card still has the layer name and toolbar displayed. You no longer need either, so you'll hide them.

10. Click the map card to activate it, if necessary.

    Tip:

    The card is activated when the tool bar and Action button are visible.

11. Click the Layer options button.

    

    The layer name is removed from the map. You don't need the toolbar anymore, so you'll hide it too.

12. Click the Hide button.

    

    The toolbar is hidden. Now the report is ready to share.

Share your report

Now you'll share your report so it can be viewed by stakeholders in your cleanup project.

1. On the workbook toolbar, click the Publish button.

   

2. In the Publish window, enter the following:
   • For Title, type Community cleanup progress report.
   • For Type, choose Report.
   • For Tag, type cleanup, litter, and report, and press Enter after each one.
   • For Description, type Community cleanup progress at and add your cleanup location.
   • For Share with, check Everyone (public).

   

3. Click Publish.

   The report is shared and the Report published successfully window appears. You can use the URLs in the window to view your report, send the URL to stakeholders, or add a link on your organization's website. You can also use the Embed code to embed the report directly in a website.

4. Under View your report, click Go.

   The report opens in a new tab.

5. When you're finished reviewing the report, close the tab and return to your Insights workbook.
6. Close the Report published successfully window.
7. Click the Save button to save your workbook.

   

8. Click the Home button to return to the Insights home page.

   

9. Click the Reports tab.

   

   Your published reports are displayed. The reports are displayed newest to oldest by default, so the report you published should be listed first.

   From the Reports tab, you can open your published reports and manage them (for example, change the item details and change the shared status).

   Note:

   If you do not see your reports listed first, you may have changed the order in which the reports appear or which reports you are viewing. Use the Sort button to set the order of the reports and the View items button to ensure you are viewing your own items.

   

Discussion questions

• Which area has the most litter? Is there a garbage or recycling bin in the area?
• How many litter items have been cleaned up so far?
• Which type of litter was found most commonly in your cleanup area?

You've used ArcGIS Field Maps and ArcGIS Insights to collect data and visualize your progress in a community cleanup. You also published your report so people interested in your progress can view it.

Create a time series graph

As an optional step for this tutorial, you can create a time series graph to track recurring cleanup events that take place over multiple days, or if you plan to schedule cleanups regularly throughout the year. The time series graph will allow you to visualize the amount of litter collected over time. In this section, you will create and configure a time series graph to give your report a temporal component.

Add the time series graph

You'll use the data you collected during your community cleanup.

1. If necessary, open ArcGIS Insights and click the Workbooks tab.
2. Click the name of your community cleanup workbook.
3. If necessary, expand the community_cleanup dataset in the data pane.

   The dataset includes two date and time fields: CreationDate and EditDate. You'll create a time series using CreationDate.

4. Drag CreationDate to an empty spot on the page below the other cards, and drop it on Time Series.

   

   A chart card is created with a time series graph. The time series shows the number of litter items collected on each day of your cleanup.

Make the time series graph match your report

You'll expand the time series to the same width as the cards above it and change the style to match the report.

1. Click the time series card to activate it, if necessary.
2. Click and drag the side handles to increase the width of the card.

   

3. Click the Card options button. Click the Appearance button.

   

4. On the Appearance pane, expand the menu for Card background color and type the hex value #E2DBCB.

   

   The card background color updates to match the background of the other cards on the workbook. You will also remove the border from the card.

5. Click the Borders tab. For Border style, choose < None >.

   

6. Close the Appearance pane.
7. If necessary, click the Card options button and click Edit labels.

   

8. On the time series graph card, click the CreationDate label on the x-axis to make it editable. Type Cleanup date and press Enter.

   

9. For the y-axis label, click Count of community_cleanup and change the label to Total items collected.
10. Hide the toolbar on the time series graph card.
11. Save your workbook.

The report now includes a visualization that shows the amount of litter cleaned up in your community over time. Depending on the number of cleanup events you’ve collected data for, you can use the time series to answer questions such as the following:

• What are the temporal trends in the number of litter items you’ve collected?
• Is the amount of litter increasing, decreasing, or remaining constant?
• Is there more litter collected at certain times of the year?
• If you added garbage or recycling bins, did that affect the amount of litter collected?

You can find more tutorials in the tutorial gallery.

Acknowledgements

• World Topographic Map sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS, OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community
• All Adobe Stock images are © 2021 Adobe Stock. All rights reserved.