SparkMap’s 2023 in Review
A record number of maps and Community Needs Assessments were created on SparkMap in 2023. Read more to learn about the top 5 layers and indicator categories utilized.
National Preparedness Month: Preparing for Older Adults
September is National Preparedness Month, and this year the focus is on Preparing for Older Adults. In this webinar, we highlight various FEMA disaster risk layers and live wildfire data available for free on SparkMap. Then, we examine a data layer aimed at estimating Community Resilience. Lastly, we walk through a case study to help…
2020 Decennial Census of Population and Housing on SparkMap
In this webinar, we discuss background information on the United States Decennial Census, highlight multiple free layers available in the SparkMap Map room, and guide you through a use case using the Population Living in Group Quarters indicator in the Community Needs Assessment.
Where’s the Food? Part Two: Food Retailer Distribution Rates
This blog is part two of our Where’s the Food series. Our last blog, Where’s the Food? Part One: Finding and Using Data on Specific Food Retailer Locations discussed SparkMap’s USDA data on supermarket and farmer’s market locations. Now we’re shifting the focus to finding and utilizing data on food distribution rates. We will discuss: …
Digging in to Soil: The NCCPI 3.0 and Other Soil Layers
SparkMap is a useful tool for land valuation and management decisions with the NCCPI 3.0 and other soil layers. Using our free Map Room, visitors can easily access the National Commodity Crop Productivity Index 3.0, as well as layers related to soil boundaries, loss tolerance, taxonomy order, hydrologic soil group, and soil taxonomy order. Check…
Stress Management Resources for You and Your Community
April is interesting. On one hand, many parts of the United States are emerging from winter, the sun is out, and spring flowers are blooming. On the other hand, taxes are due, the traditional school year is ending, and work deadlines feel like they’re piling up. It seems like no coincidence that April is National…
Digging Deeper into the NCCPI 3.0
The National Commodity Crop Productivity Index 3.0 is an invaluable tool to evaluate soil productivity. In this blog we discuss background information on the index, reasons to use it, and how to interpret it in our Map Room.
Tour the Refreshed SparkMap Site
Take a tour of the SparkMap website refreshed in January 2023. In this video, useful for new and returning SparkMap Subscribers, we provide some tips of how to navigate SparkMap, highlight new features like topic-based Community Needs Assessments and Maps, and walk through enhanced support materials. We also showcase the new logged in user dashboard…
Will you survive the Zombie Apocalypse?!
Can you survive the Zombie Apocalypse? Using the Map Room, chart your route to the nearest hospital, supermarket, drug stores, and warehouse stores to ensure you can get supplies. Find out how!
Where’s the Food? Part 1: Finding and Using Data on Food Retailer Locations
Whether you work in healthcare, community planning, or community improvement programs access to reliable food is a must. In this blog series we highlight different food layers available on SparkMap and how they can be used to benefit your community.