News Roundup – April 2025
How is deep learning helping conservationists pinpoint the locations of beluga whales and other Arctic wildlife? How are GIS tools being used to teach geoscience topics in classrooms—and to members of the general public? How is AI impacting the urban planning space? Learn more in the News Roundup for April 2025.
Feature Stories
Share your best maps with the GIS Success Stories program
Have you created a beautiful map using Esri technology? Share it with the GIS Success Stories program and we’ll share it with our audience of more than 60,000 GIS enthusiasts. No deadline; submit as many stories as you’d like. Submit today!
Geographical Thinking: Episode 98 – Whales or Whitecaps?
Discover how AI is transforming marine conservation by helping conservationists spot beluga whales from above, and how Fisheries & Oceans Canada is using deep learning to track Arctic wildlife.
Listen to the latest episode of Geographical Thinking here.
Edmundston improves efficiency and service delivery with Cityworks
The City of Edmundston’s public works and energy teams faced operational delays from disconnected systems. Their new integrated approach now keeps operations running smoothly, improving efficiency, coordination and response times. Find out what made the difference.
The latest Canadian national datasets available in the Living Atlas
This blog post provides valuable resources for latest Canadian datasets available in the ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World. Explore this list to learn more about infrastructure, demographic and environmental data from various national sources.
Crawling the data security dungeon: SSL certificates in ArcGIS Enterprise
When you’re preparing to deploy ArcGIS Enterprise, make sure you’re prepared to face the challenges ahead. SSL certificates can help protect your implementation against security breaches and maintain the integrity of your system. Learn more in this fun blog post from Esri Canada’s André Piasta.
Building virtual geoscience tours for students—no code required
Discover how one nonprofit is using geospatial tools to produce context-rich, engaging virtual tours of some of Ontario’s most captivating geoscientific sites. Produced for tourists as well as elementary and secondary students who may have limited access to field trips, the APGOEF’s GeoHikes, Urban GeoWalks, GeoPaddles and GeoRoutes deliver a powerful, accessible view of Ontario’s geology.
A Delicate Balancing Act – AI’s Impact on the Urban Planning Industry
AI and generative AI—two shiny new buzzwords. Have you ever wondered how AI is being used in the urban planning industry? Do you have concerns and misgivings regarding the use of AI and the accuracy of its output? This blog post aims to demystify this shiny new technological tool.
2025 Esri Partner Conference and Developer & Technology Summit wrap-up
This year, members of the Esri Canada Strategic Alliances team attended the 2025 Esri Partner Conference and Developer & Technology Summit in Palm Springs, California. Discover their top highlights, opportunities and tips to help you take your business to the next level and plan for 2026!
Esri Canada News
Environics Analytics’ ENVISION embraces ArcGIS Enterprise on Kubernetes
March 4, 2025
Canadian company samdesk wins Innovation Award at Esri Partner Conference
March 11, 2025
Esri News
Esri Publishes New Book on the Rapidly Evolving Mobile GIS Field
March 3, 2025
Esri Collaborates with Google Maps Platform to Offer High-Quality Photorealistic 3D Tiles
March 10, 2025
Esri Recognizes Partners for Innovation and Excellence
March 10, 2025
Resources
ArcUser: Fighting the Opioid Epidemic with Access to Services, Data and Resources
The Opioid Epidemic Outreach solution, part of the ArcGIS Solutions collection that is included with ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online subscriptions, helps public agencies create and maintain a resource inventory, communicate important information about the severity of the epidemic and promote resources available to community members in need. Discover how Mahoning County Public Health (MCPH), based in Mahoning County, Ohio, is using the Opioid Epidemic Outreach solution to create a one-stop shop for residents to find resources and information.
Read the latest issue of ArcUser online.
ArcNews: Navigating Devastation: GIS Aids Hurricane Helene Response
Hurricane Helene, which struck Florida in September 2024 with 140-mile-per-hour winds, ranks as one of the costliest and deadliest US storms since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Three days before Hurricane Helene hit Florida, Esri’s Disaster Response Program (DRP) was activated, anticipating the needs of agencies and GIS users in the hurricane’s path. Over three weeks, the DRP responded to more than 170 requests for assistance from various groups involved in relief efforts. Read the full story for more.
Read the latest issue of ArcNews online.
WhereNext Magazine: Designing for Resilience in the Corporate Sector
Designing for resilience was once the domain of city planners. Now corporate facility managers are adopting the practice—and digital twin technology—to better prepare for risks.
Video: NASA—Earth Science to Action
Katie Baynes discusses the efforts of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to enhance data access and sharing for the GIS community. By expanding the availability of NASA's scientific data, the agency aims to build on existing knowledge and create opportunities to advance our understanding of Earth. This initiative supports decision-makers and policymakers in utilizing these data to make informed decisions and improve outcomes.