Mobile Citizen Science
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The document discusses the OpenTreeMap mobile applications designed for citizen science in urban forestry, emphasizing their benefits in data collection and community engagement. Key features include tree mapping, mobile access, and the integration of technology to make data gathering efficient and enjoyable. It outlines objectives for future developments and aims to enhance awareness and stewardship of urban trees through collaborative efforts.
Mobile Citizen Science
- 1. Mobile Citizen Science – Gathering Urban Forestry Data August 12, 2014
- 2. About Us Deborah Boyer OpenTreeMap Project Manager dboyer@azavea.com 215.701.7506 Amelia Longo Business Development Associate alongo@azavea.com 215.701.7715 Danny Carmichael Forestry Projects Senior Manager at TreePeople
- 3. Agenda • Overview of OpenTreeMap Mobile – Why we created mobile apps – Benefits of mobile apps for citizen science – How it works with the OTM system • TreeMapLA and Mobile Citizen Science • Future updates to the mobile apps • Questions
- 4. A collaborative platform for crowdsourced tree inventory, ecosystem services calculations, urban forestry analysis, and community engagement
- 5. OpenTreeMap History • Urban Forest Map • USDA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant Phase 1 • PhillyTreeMap, GreenprintMaps, Treezilla, and more • Released as open source project • USDA Phase 2 Grant • Launch of OpenTreeMap Cloud • Launch of TreeMapLA, yegTreeMap, and others
- 6. About Azavea • Founded in 2000 • 30+ people • Based in Philadelphia • B Corporation • Geospatial + web + mobile – Software development – Spatial analysis services – User experience
- 8. Key Features of OpenTreeMap • Map and explore tree data • Add and edit trees online • Track stewardship activities • Add photos and leave comments • View eco benefits calculated using i-Tree Streets • Mobile apps for iPhone and Android devices • Export data as csv • Customize data fields and other options
- 9. Why Mobile?
- 10. Why Go Mobile? • Uses devices people often already own • Promotes data gathering in the field • Supports capturing key info quickly and efficiently • Encourages group activities and community outreach
- 11. Goals • Keep the key features of OpenTreeMap • Remove extra features not essential to mobile use • Support registration from the mobile app • Take advantage of most useful features of native apps (camera, software development, etc) • Make tree mapping fun and efficient
- 12. OTM Mobile Access • Native apps for iPhones and Android devices • Add info in the field via mobile data connection • Data syncs automatically with your tree map • Uses your OTM login - no other info required
- 13. Changes for Mobile Apps • Option to use phone’s GPS to show current location • Smaller number of search filters • Focus on key fields during add tree and edit tree processes • Include nearby and recently updated lists of trees • Easy switch between tree maps • Cannot view eco benefits for a search or the entire map
- 14. Key Features
- 15. Key Features
- 16. Key Features
- 17. Key Features
- 18. How does it work? • Access to mobile app included with OTM subscription (except smaller Aspen level maps) • Maps accessed via the OpenTreeMap app in the iTunes App Store and Google Play • Users can see my tree maps, nearby tree maps, and all public tree maps • One login to access everything
- 19. Tablet Access
- 20. Custom App • Custom apps available • Includes branding for your organization and custom search filters and data fields • Available through the organization’s App Store and Google Play accounts • Separate fees
- 21. Mobile Apps and Citizen Science • People like attending events and getting outside • People like using technology • Mobile apps can assist with exploration of the urban forest or data collection • Mobile apps support casual data collection and more focused, time sensitive data collection • Can be integrated into other initiatives and classes
- 22. TreeMapLA
- 24. Goals for TreeMapLA • Map all of the trees in Los Angeles
- 25. Goals for TreeMapLA • Map all of the trees in Los Angeles • Curb (or cure!) “tree blindness”
- 26. Goals for TreeMapLA • Map all of the trees in Los Angeles • Curb (or cure!) “tree blindness” • Use to provide context/corroboration for urban forestry policy and advocacy
- 27. Goals for TreeMapLA • Map all of the trees in Los Angeles • Curb (or cure!) “tree blindness” • Use to provide context/corroboration for urban forestry policy and advocacy • Use to prioritize tree planting and tree care efforts
- 28. Goals for TreeMapLA • Map all of the trees in Los Angeles • Curb (or cure!) “tree blindness” • Use to provide context/corroboration for urban forestry policy and advocacy • Use to prioritize tree planting and tree care efforts • Central hub for municipalities, agencies, non-profits, individuals to add and access information on LA’s trees, hopefully leading to more communication and collaboration
- 29. TreeMapLA Launch
- 30. Launch • TreeMapLA launched “naked”
- 32. Launch • TreeMapLA launched “naked” • If people map trees, they are more likely to start caring about those trees (and hopefully, start caring FOR those trees)
- 33. Launch • TreeMapLA launched “naked” • If people map trees, they are more likely to start caring about those trees (and hopefully, start caring FOR those trees) • Initial push was to 12,000 TreePeople volunteers, donors and members
- 34. Launch • TreeMapLA launched “naked” • If people map trees, they are more likely to start caring about those trees (and hopefully, start caring FOR those trees) • Initial push was to 12,000 TreePeople volunteers, donors and members • Initial campaign was to map 1,000 trees within the first month
- 36. TreePeople
- 37. TreePeople’s Mission • TreePeople’s mission is to inspire, engage and support people to take personal responsibility for the urban environment, making it safe, healthy, fun and sustainable and to share the process as a model for the world.
- 41. Volunteer Based
- 46. Maps of Site
- 47. Tree ID “Cheat Sheet”
- 49. Twitter – Before/During/After • Outreach to businesses, community groups, etc.
- 50. Twitter – Before/During/After • Tree ID help, “customer service” during events
- 52. Twitter – Before/During/After • Easy to collect and share pictures of event
- 53. Challenges
- 54. Challenges •Technology • Crashes • Knowledge (of trees and technology) • Equipment • Battery life
- 55. Challenges •Communication • Geographically spread out • How do we keep people on the same page • How do we troubleshoot • How do we know where people are
- 56. Challenges •Leadership • Re-training our volunteer leaders • Re-training our staff
- 57. The Future…
- 58. The Future…
- 59. The Future…
- 60. The Future…
- 61. The Future…
- 62. The Future… !!!
- 65. Stewardship Tracking • Add info on completed stewardship activities • Stewardship activities can be customized in certain subscriptions • View past stewardship activities on tree detail pages
- 66. Alert Tracking • Add new alerts (i.e. tree requires an action) • Change status of existing alerts (mark as resolved or unresolved) • Search by open alerts • Assists OTM users and organizations in caring for trees
- 67. Future Features • Customize search filters • Customize fields on edit page • Support adding multiple trunks • Show more than one photo • Add comments to a tree detail page
- 68. Summary • Mobile apps can use devices people already have • But groups also need to provide access to data for people without smartphones • Mobile apps can support fun new outreach events and mapping parties • Those parties require time and resources to succeed • Mobile apps promote exploring the urban forest out in the field • May need to be connected to other initiatives
- 69. Questions?
- 70. Contact Us Deborah Boyer OpenTreeMap Project Manager dboyer@azavea.com 215.701.7506 Amelia Longo Business Development Associate alongo@azavea.com 215.701.7715
- 71. Exploring Collaborative Tree Inventory with OpenTreeMap Mobile Citizen Science – Gathering Urban Forestry Data August 12, 2014