2025 Big Sky GeoCon - Mapping the Future: Innovations in Geospatial Technology

Description: 
Your city, county and state has lidar available. Lidar is a key foundation dataset that can help inform decisions of land managers, but it often goes unused. Whether you need to locate exactly where your culverts are, create an enhanced hydrography dataset to map water flow, find closed depressions for water quality studies, analyze slopes for ordinance review, or you need to assess the risk of soil erosion vulnerability, analysis of LiDAR can put your data to work to help derive answers for departments across your organization. In this workshop, we will discuss lidar base specifications in the state, dive into detailed lidar derivatives and then look at some solutions you can produce so you can start planning for your projects today.



 

Description:
Intended Audience: This course is intended for students who have some knowledge of ArcGIS Online and are looking to expand on their understanding of how to create interactive, online applications. Though it is recommended that students have some experience in developing online map applications, it is not necessary. No scripting skills necessary.

Software and Licenses: Students need to have their own computer hardware and an ArcGIS Online Creator user-type or higher with a valid login.
Course Modules:

• Module 1: Introduction to Experience Builder and a comparison with Web AppBuilder
• Module 2: Experience-Builder Basics and Creating an Experience from a Template
• Module 3: Exploring Style and Content Settings for Customizing Widgets
• Module 4: Configuring Dynamic Widget Interactions, Triggers, and Actions
• Module 5: Mobile Optimization for Varied Screen Sizes
• Module 6: Manage Your Experience and Create a Template

Summary:
This full-day course focuses on Experience Builder, highlighting how it is different from Web AppBuilder and detailing its advanced capabilities. You will explore the extensive list of well-refined templates that can be used out-of-the-box or reshaped and customized to fit the needs of your project. The course will dive into style and content settings for dynamic widgets, how to build an Experience from a template or a blank canvas and how to add widget actions and triggers to create an even more dynamic application for your target audience. You will learn how to optimize your Experience for mobile screen viewing so that users can access your application from a single, intelligent URL. Finally, you will learn a few tips for managing your Experiences and templates.
Course exercises will give you the hands-on experience you need to get familiar with the layout, customization capabilities and functionality that will have you quickly building your own Experiences beyond the classroom.
Pair this course with our Intermediate Experience Builder course to build an even stronger foundation in your Experience-Builder expertise and skillset.

Technology requirements: Must bring your own laptop. Instructions for setting up the required software will be provided prior to the workshop.
Description: 
Python is now regarded as one of the most popular programming languages of all, if not the most popular. This is especially true for GIS-related requirements, with Python being front and central when it comes to making the most of the ArcGIS technology suite. This workshop will provide an introduction to Python programming without reference to GIS topics, but with an emphasis on preparing attendees for further learning with respect to GIS scripting and development. The workshop will also be helpful for anyone wishing to use Python for other purposes.
Three topics will be covered in the workshop: (1) getting started with Python; (2) the use of JetBrains PyCharm Community Edition, a rich, powerful, and free Integrated Development Environment (IDE); and (3) Python fundamentals, including functions, classes and objects, and error handling.
Intended Audience: Anyone wishing to learn the fundamentals of Python programming.
Prerequisite Requirements: There are no prerequisite requirements. It will be assumed that attendees have little experience with Python or are starting from scratch.
Associated Workshop: Completion of this workshop is required for anyone wishing to attend the associated "Introduction to ArcGIS Data Management Using Python" workshop. An exception to this requirement will be made if the instructor is satisfied that your level of Python experience is such that attending the introductory workshop is not necessary. If required, please contact the instructor to request a waiver. 
Format and Technical Requirements: The workshop will consist of a balance between lecture material and demonstrations, forming the basis for a flexible and interactive training approach. There will be plenty of time for discussion and experimentation, which will result in a rich and rewarding experience for everyone involved.
 

Description: 
Intended Audience: This course is intended for those new to ArcGIS Pro or students migrating from ArcGIS Desktop that wish to learn the basic skills needed to create and print maps. It teaches the foundational skills needed for new users. No previous experience with ArcGIS Pro or GIS is required.
Software and Licenses: Students will need to be assigned an ArcGIS Pro 3.x Basic or higher license from their organization prior to class which can be accessed from the web. This should be verified prior to the start of class.
Course Modules:

• Module 1: Introduction to ArcGIS Pro
• Module 2: Understanding the ArcGIS Pro Interface
• Module 3: Working with 2D Maps and Layers
• Module 4: Creating and Using Selection Sets
• Module 5: Working with Tables
• Module 6: Creating ArcGIS Pro Projects
• Module 7: Working with Layouts

Summary:
In this 2 day course the student will learn the fundamentals of using ArcGIS Pro 3.x. To begin the class you’ll learn the fundamentals of using the new ribbon-based interface associated with ArcGIS Pro. Next, you’ll learn how to open projects and understand the variety of content types that can be added to a project including maps, layouts, styles, connections to data sources, and more. You’ll also learn how to create 2D maps and add a variety of basemaps and layers to those maps. We’ll also cover a wide variety of ways that layers can be symbolized and styled. Another topic we’ll cover is how to create and use selection sets associated with feature layers. You’ll also learn how to add stand-alone tables to maps and use the functionality found in the table view. Finally, we’ll cover how to create presentation quality layouts for your maps and content.

Description: Climate data come from a variety of sources, including remote weather stations, satellite platforms, and earth system models. Accurate temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, and other climate data are critical for many professions, including urban planning, resource management, agriculture, and energy production systems. However, the increasing diversity, complexity, and size of these datasets can make them difficult to work with. Creating decision-ready products from raw climate data also requires transparent, reproducible workflows that can be updated as requirements change. In this workshop, based in the Python programming language, we introduce participants to NASA’s free-to-use climate datasets, demonstrating how to search for, access, and manipulate satellite-based and modeled data on air temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, and humidity, among many potential climate variables. Participants will be introduced to hierarchical data formats, including HDF5 and netCDF4, along with the xarray library in Python. Our workshop offers hands-on experience with subsetting, resampling, and visualizing spatial data cubes: gridded climate variables that vary over space and time.

 

Description: This seminar provides a comprehensive introduction to geospatial concepts, methodologies, and cutting-edge geotechnologies, equipping attendees with the skills needed to optimize field data collection and management. Participants will explore: 

• ArcGIS Field Mobility Apps and their practical applications
• ArcGIS Online for preparing feature layers, sharing data, and visualizing findings via web maps
• Fundamentals of GNSS, including horizontal and vertical datums and map projections
• Best practices for safe, efficient data collection and field mapping.

Intended Audience: This workshop is ideal for individuals interested in leveraging GPS technology for field data collection. Whether you are a beginner or seeking to refine your skills, no prior mapping experience is required.

Participant Requirements or Pre-requisites: There are no pre-requisites or prior UAS or FAA knowledge required. 
Required Software or Hardware: Laptops are not required. This will be lecture and discussion, so the only recommendation is to bring a notebook and pen. The workshop slides will be sent out to the participants, so you don’t need to write everything down. 
Description:
The course is designed to prepare attendees to pass the FAA’s Small Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Part 107 test to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate. It will cover aeronautical knowledge including the FAA regulations relating to UAS aircraft systems, operating requirements, and procedures for safely flying UAS. The class will cover the following topics:

• Regulations relating to UAS rating privileges, limitations, and flight operations
• Airspace classification and flight restrictions affecting UAS operations
• Aviation weather sources and effects of weather on UAS performance
• UAS loading and performance
• Emergency procedures, Crew resource management, Radio communication procedures
• Physiological effects of drugs and alcohol
• Airport operations and aeronautical decision-making and judgment
• Maintenance and preflight inspection procedures
• Operation at night and over people

After the course, attendees will have the option to sign up and take the FAA part 107 UAS Unmanned Pilot Ground Exam ($175 exam fee) for FAA certification at multiple approved test locations at airports in Montana (Kalispell, Missoula, Belgrade, Great Falls and Billings). 

 

Required Software or Hardware: The Montana State Library will provide a computer lab with sample data. Participants are welcome to bring their own data and computer with ArcGIS Pro.
Description:
A full day lecture and hands on training for GIS addressing and becoming NG9-1-1 GIS compliant for local GIS professionals. The Montana State Library will be bringing its computer lab with sample data. You are welcome to bring your own data and computer with ArcGIS Pro . This training will focus on strong data management, constancy, MSL’s 9-1-1 GIS Data Validation and Aggregation Portal and other tools that are available to you.
Morning Session
NG9-1-1 The GIS Data

• NENA Required, Recommended, Optional Layers and Fields
• Basic Topological Requirements
• Legacy Data Requirements MSAG and ALI
• Domains

Planning for success

• Data Infrastructure, Database Locations, and Schemas
• Data Transformations

Data Maintenance and sharing

• Hacking ESRI’s Address Management Solution
• Locators and data dissemination tools

Afternoon Session
Montana GIS Data Validation and Aggregation Portal - Getting Started

• Getting started
• Running your first validation
• Fixing issues and managing validation results
• Exceptions

Montana GIS Data Validation and Aggregation Portal - Advanced topics

• Legacy Data Checks
• Multiple Layer Validations
• Data Aggregation
• Master Sessions

1Spatial ArcGIS Plug-in Submission Manager

• Using ArcGIS Plug-in for full functionality of portal from within ArcGIS Pro

 

Description: 
Intended Audience: This course is intended for students who have some knowledge of ArcGIS Online and have already taken Introduction to Experience Builder or have been working in the application builder a little and want to take their skills to the next level. No scripting skills necessary.
Software and Licenses: Students need to have their own computer hardware and an ArcGIS Online Creator user-type with a Role of Publisher or higher.
Course Modules:

• Module 1: Review Experience Builder Interface Navigation Tips and Tricks
• Module 2: Managing Data Connections and Data Views
• Module 3: Using Sections and Views
• Module 4: Configure Dynamic Content, Related Tables, and Actions
• Module 5: Using the 3D Toolbox and Elevation Profile

Summary:
This full-day course takes you through the process of building a highly dynamic application utilizing sections and views, related tables, dynamic content, 3D toolboxes, and more. Our introductory course was created to help instill muscle memory for navigating the Experience Builder interface, which is quite different from any of ESRI’s other application builders. With this new course, we take you through the steps necessary to build a high-level application that will impress your managers, users, and clients.
Course exercises will give you the hands-on experience you need to create interactive and dynamic functionality that provides flexibility for your users and information-rich applications.

Technology requirements: Bring your own laptop. Instructions for setting up the required software will be provided prior to the workshop.
Description: 
ArcGIS Pro allows users to meet data management requirements, such as creating, reading, loading, updating, and deleting feature classes and tables, manually using geoprocessing tools, editing operations, and data manipulation functionality. While this may work well for small datasets, it can become unwieldy as the number of values and number of required operations increases. This is where Python comes in, especially when accompanied by an appreciation for the value of well-crafted and versatile code. Being able to streamline and automate workflows can save significant amounts of time and effort, can increase confidence in outcomes, and can provide a valuable record of how and when processes have been run.
The purpose of this workshop is to teach attendees how to use Python and the ArcPy site package to support data management workflows via the ArcGIS Pro Python Window and scripts that that can be run within ArcGIS Pro or externally. Topics to be covered include the use of data management geoprocessing tools, cursors, and core Python data structures. Consideration will also be given to the importance of clean, descriptive, and reusable code. For script development, attendees may use either of two Integrated Development Environment (IDE) programs: JetBrains PyCharm Community Edition or Microsoft Visual Studio Code (both free).
Intended Audience: GIS professionals familiar with ArcGIS Pro and Python and wishing to manage ArcGIS data in a flexible and efficient manner.
Prerequisite Requirement: Anyone wishing to attend this workshop must also attend the associated workshop, "Introduction to Python Programming." An exception to this requirement will be made if the instructor is satisfied that your level of Python experience is such that attending the introductory workshop is not necessary. If required, please contact the instructor to request a waiver.
Format and Technical Requirements: The workshop will consist of a balance between lecture material and demonstrations, which forms the basis for a flexible and interactive training approach. There will be plenty of time for discussion and experimentation, which will result in a rich and rewarding experience for everyone involved.

Workshop format: Lecture, followed up by hands-on instruction.
Technology requirements: Bring your own laptop.
Participant requirements: Workshop provides temporary ArcGIS Online licenses.
Description: 
This workshop is designed for people who want an introduction to the basic concepts of ArcGIS Online. The workshop provides an overview of what users can do in ArcGIS Online such as quickly turning data into valuable information by creating intelligent interactive web maps and sharing them privately or publicly. ArcGIS Online provides a platform that enables users to make spatial data available through an interactive web map, a web app, story map and a mobile app without the need for programming. This means it is accessible to users any time on any operating system. You will learn some of the uses of ArcGIS Online including: using an interactive map, creating an interactive map, adding your own data, configuring the map display and creating an app. By the end of this workshop, you will be able to create your own interactive map and app and share it with others.

More information comingn soon.....

The ArcGIS Pro Parcel Fabric is the next-generation solution for editing and maintaining Land Records and Parcels using Esri's ArcGIS Pro software.  This half-day workshop will introduce the functionality, structure, implementation options, and workflows in the Parcel Fabric. The workshop will provide a download link to a sample parcel fabric and project file for demonstration and a work-along experience for attendees. If the attendees wish to participate in the workshop, they must provide a laptop containing a fully licensed copy of ArcGIS Pro 3.x or above. Several parcel maintenance workflows will be demonstrated and explored to understand the workings of the Parcel Fabric.

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the ArcGIS Arcade expression language, specifically designed for use within the ArcGIS Pro environment. Designed for GIS professionals, analysts, and developers, this class teaches you how to harness the power of Arcade to create dynamic labeling, symbology, and pop-ups based on data from ArcGIS Pro. Throughout the course, you’ll learn how to write and apply Arcade expressions to enhance your GIS workflows, allowing for on-the-fly calculations, custom visualizations, and the dynamic display of map elements.

Intended Audience: 
This course is designed for existing ArcGIS Pro users who are looking to expand their skill set with ArcGIS Arcade. It is ideal for GIS professionals, analysts, and developers who already have a foundational knowledge of ArcGIS Pro and are looking to take their capabilities to the next level.
Course Modules:

• Module 1: Introduction to ArcGIS Arcade
• Module 2: The Arcade Language
• Module 3: Categories of Functions in Arcade
• Module 4: Symbology with Arcade
• Module 5: Labeling with Arcade
• Module 6: Pop-ups and Interactive Content
• Module 7: Data Calculations and Field Updates

Summary:
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the ArcGIS Arcade expression language, specifically designed for use within the ArcGIS Pro environment. Designed for GIS professionals, analysts, and developers, this class teaches you how to harness the power of Arcade to create dynamic labeling, symbology, and pop-ups based on data from ArcGIS Pro. Throughout the course, you’ll learn how to write and apply Arcade expressions to enhance your GIS workflows, allowing for on-the-fly calculations, custom visualizations, and the dynamic display of map elements.
Whether you’re working with feature data, symbology, or generating pop-up content, this course will enable you to take full advantage of the versatility Arcade offers for tailoring your maps and layers. Practical, hands-on exercises will reinforce key concepts and ensure that you leave the class equipped to confidently apply Arcade within ArcGIS Pro to solve real-world GIS challenges.