Network Mapping Project

Connecting California’s Change-Makers to Build Stronger Communities

Across California, individuals and organizations are doing powerful work to advance agriculture, natural resource stewardship, renewable energy, workforce development, food systems, Indigenous partnerships, and more. But far too often, this work happens in silos.

The UC ANR Community Economic Development (CED) Network Mapping Project aims to break down these siloes—by visualizing and strengthening the relationships between leaders, organizations, institutions, and communities working across sectors.

What Is Network Mapping?

Network mapping is a tool used to visualize relationships between people and organizations. It helps us identify:

• Who’s working on what issues across the state
• How groups are connected—or disconnected
• Where there are gaps in collaboration
• Where there are opportunities for new partnerships

We use Kumu, a powerful online mapping platform, to build dynamic visual maps that show connections across key CED impact areas. These maps aren’t just for show—they are working tools to foster strategic collaboration, innovation, and equity in economic development across California.

Goals of the Project

• Catalog and connect CED-related individuals, organizations, and institutions in California
• Identify regional and sector-specific gaps in partnerships and outreach
• Enable collaboration across industries and geographies
• Support UC ANR staff, researchers, and partners in finding allies and avoiding duplicative work
• Empower local leaders to see themselves as part of a larger, coordinated effort

What We're Mapping

We are currently mapping networks in areas such as:

• Biobased Products & the Bioeconomy
• Rural Broadband & Utilities
• Energy Systems

Each map contains nodes (people, organizations, programs) and links (shared projects, funding streams, missions, or other collaborations).