New Server for AK DNR's Public Services

We would like to announce we have a new ArcGIS Server to host DNR’s public services. We have to retire our old server by January 31st, which we understand isn’t very long to get services transferred. However, we need to try to push that direction quickly since the software on the server is outdated.

The new services tree is found here: https://arcgis.dnr.alaska.gov/arcgis/rest/services

Along with the server change, we also restructured our services tree. Please take a moment to find the services you use within our new structure. Most of our services fall under Open Data, which we serve out to our Open Data site here: https://data-soa-dnr.opendata.arcgis.com/.

We found the ArcGIS Online Assistant helpful in updating web map URL’s. The ArcGIS Online Assistant can be found here: https://ago-assistant.esri.com/.

If you have any questions or need assistance finding a service, please contact Erin Palmer or Belinda Jerger know and we would be happy to help.

K12 Teachers Seeking GeoMentors

Interested in helping out a local K12 educator by sharing your expertise in GIS?  Many Alaskan teachers have begun using ArcGIS Online for Organizations subscriptions in their classrooms, along with the Collector for ArcGIS app. Some of them are looking for a GeoMentor.  This could mean having someone they could call or email once in a while with questions, someone who can publish editable feature services to their online accounts for data collection, someone to meet with to walk through project specifics, or someone to visit the classroom and share their knowledge of GIS with students.

If you are open to the possibility of becoming a GeoMentor, please visit the K12 GIS Story Map, click on the GeoMentor section and hit the "Count Me In" map link.  For more information on GIS in Alaska's K12 schools, contact Katie Kennedy at 907-474-6121 or via email at cmkennedy@alaska.edu.

BDL Services are at Risk - Show Your Support!

Alaska GIS users should be aware that widely popular web services developed in support of the SDMI, including the 'best data layer', or BDL, are at risk from lack of infrastructure maintenance and support. Last year the interactive site for discovering and downloading state imagery and elevation datasets, browse.alaskamapped.org, ceased to function when support for critical infrastructure was discontinued by Google. Without updates and maintenance to adhere to latest standards, the SDMI web services are also risk.

How to help: Web service users are encouraged to share information on the use of these services and impact on agency workflows and missions so that informed decisions about if and how to support statewide web services can be made. Feedback can be provided through the survey link, which was designed as a tool to facilitate discussions on the use of SDMI web services, or via email to chris.hamilton@alaska.gov. The Alaska Geospatial Council currently has 6 State government agencies on the charter signed by the Governor, but is expected to invite additional non-State government members soon. Chris Hamilton will help facilitate feedback from these groups to the council in the interim.

This topic is separate from geoportal, in that the web services being discussed involve massive volumes of data and can require significant oversight and personnel for effective data curation. Geoportals point to feeds supported by these large datasets, which are hosted on separate platforms designed to meet the robust requirements.

To participate in the survey please point you browser here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XWXHC9Z

The survey will be left open, but respondents are encouraged to submit feedback by COB October 29th for discussion at the upcoming Alaska Geospatial Council meeting on October 31st.

If you missed Anne Johnson at the AAUG Meeting on October 17, here are her materials:

• Ortho Imagery Status Update Presentation
• SDMI Web Services Brief

ConnectED Initiative from Esri

Passing along this exciting SCGIS@listserv.uri.edu post that was forwarded to me...

Greetings All:

I know that many of you are active in working with primary and secondary educators and students, or have kids of your own or teachers in your own families.  If so, then see below for exciting news!

It was announced yesterday at the White House that Esri will provide free ArcGIS Online subscriptions for all K-12 schools (instructional use) in the United States as part of the White House's ConnectED initiative.  More information is available at http://ConnectED.esri.com and http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/05/27/president-obama-host-white-house-science-fair.

Resources to help schools get started with ArcGIS Online are available at http://edcommunity.esri.com/connected.

In conjunction with this initiative, we encourage GIS professionals to become GeoMentors who volunteer to help schools set up their ArcGIS Online account, provide data for the local community, and provide local expertise.  More information about the GeoMentor program is at http://www.geomentor.org.

ArcGIS Online subscriptions for K-12 schools include 500 named users.  The July release of ArcGIS Online will include a new custom role ("Student") and new account administration tools for managing student accounts.

Please contact connectEDschools@esri.com with questions.


Joseph J. Kerski, Ph.D., GISP  |  Education Manager
Esri | 1 International Court | Broomfield CO  80021-3200 | USA
Tel 303-449-7779, ext. 1-8237 | Cell-Mobile 303-625-3925
jkerski@esri.com | esri.com
Twitter:  @josephkerski