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.

This tutorial was last tested on April 29, 2026.

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
• 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.

   

   Select Start with new layers. 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. Click Open in the left bottom and clickOpen 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.

    

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.

In this tutorial, you created a map and form to support a community cleanup event using ArcGIS Field Maps. You configured a feature layer, designed a data collection form, and used a mobile device to capture information about litter found in your community. The data you collected represents both the locations and types of items gathered during your cleanup effort.

With your map and dataset complete, you now have a record of your community's cleanup activity that can be viewed, shared, and built upon within your ArcGIS organization. This information can help identify areas that may need ongoing attention, support future cleanup planning, or inform decisions about resource placement such as trash and recycling bins.

As you review your map, consider the patterns that emerge. Which locations required the most attention? What types of litter were most common? How might this information guide future efforts to maintain cleaner public spaces?

By completing this workflow, you've not only contributed to improving your local environment, but also created a spatial record that supports continued awareness and action in your community.

Acknowledgements

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