Mississippi Coastal Restoration Dashboard
Why It's Important
Following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has prioritized the continued restoration of the gulf coast ecosystem. It was imperative to have an efficient platform for monitoring the vast quantity of projects, grants, and initiatives that are involved in this effort. The Geospatial Group worked with MDEQ to build a system that brings together a multitude of datasets into a user-friendly dashboard for stakeholders and the general public to stay informed on the state's restoration progress.
The Mississippi Coastal Restoration Dashboard
Developing the Mississippi Coastal Restoration Dashboard for MDEQ was a unique project that required the seamless integration of multiple data sources into a unified platform. The Geospatial Group utilized ESRI’s ArcGIS Enterprise, Dashboards and Web Maps to create an intuitive and user-friendly interface that presents complex information in an accessible format. In addition, AWS hosted services were used to efficiently store, manage, and deliver a wide range of datasets. The dashboard includes a variety of search tools tailored to help users quickly find specific information, along with visual summaries of key metrics such as project counts and total funding.
User Interface
Convenient Search Tools
Specific Project Details
Convenient Search Tools
The dashboard enables users to quickly locate specific project information using a variety of search tools. Clicking a point on the map displays a pop-up box with key project details, including awarded funding, funding sources, and expenses. For a more refined search, users can select specific criteria from the left-hand side of the page
The dashboard enables users to quickly locate specific project information using a variety of search tools. Clicking a point on the map displays a pop-up box with key project details, including awarded funding, funding sources, and expenses. For a more refined search, users can select specific criteria from the left-hand side of the page. These filter boxes allow projects to be narrowed down by name, funding source, county, or group type. Filtered results appear in the top banner of the dashboard, providing a quick overview of the relevant projects. If additional information is needed, a link is available to submit an official public records request to MDEQ.
Metrics At-A-Glance
Specific Project Details
Convenient Search Tools
Visitors to the site can quickly view all projects, total awarded funding, and total expenditures through an updated banner located at the top of the dashboard. A more detailed view is available by navigating through a series of tabs on the right-hand side of the screen. Metrics can be filtered by project information, project totals, exp
Visitors to the site can quickly view all projects, total awarded funding, and total expenditures through an updated banner located at the top of the dashboard. A more detailed view is available by navigating through a series of tabs on the right-hand side of the screen. Metrics can be filtered by project information, project totals, expenditures, or county. Color-coded bar charts offer a clear visual breakdown of the selected criteria, which can be added to or removed from the map to provide enhanced geographical context. Maintaining transparency with this information is essential for building trust and support from local organizations and stakeholders.
Specific Project Details
Specific Project Details
Specific Project Details
Selecting a project allows users to access more detailed information about its progress and key components. Above the project description, two link options are available - one to a fact sheet and the other to an Esri Story Map. The fact sheet is a downloadable .pdf resource for the project, highlighting important milestones, implementat
Selecting a project allows users to access more detailed information about its progress and key components. Above the project description, two link options are available - one to a fact sheet and the other to an Esri Story Map. The fact sheet is a downloadable .pdf resource for the project, highlighting important milestones, implementation timelines, objectives, and contact information. By making this information accessible, the dashboard helps build trust, accountability, and support while showcasing the impact of ongoing restoration efforts.
Key Elements
Data Integration
The Mississippi Coastal Restoration Dashboard is one of several tools developed by The Geospatial Group that connect to the Restoration Information Control System (RICS), a central data hub used by MDEQ to manage and track restoration efforts. This diagram shows how the dashboard fits within a broader network of integrated systems, including the Idea Portal and Mississippi Transparency Site. A custom script runs in the background of the dashboard to pull in the latest data feeds from RICS to ensure up-to-date information is being displayed. Together, these tools support data sharing, project transparency, and informed decision-making across MDEQ’s restoration programs.