Aaron Clausen (aaron@at3.am)

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Canberra Nature Map project is a repository for park care groups, volunteers and members of the public to report sightings of rare and endangered plant species and any of the many treasures that Canberra's nature parks are home to.

CanberraNatureMap.org

THE STORY

In spring 2013, I stumbled across a patch of critically endangered Arachnorchis actensis during a mountain bike ride on what I now know was an illegal track! Absolutely amazed with the beauty of the plants and no idea this kind of stuff existed in and around Canberra.

I became addicted to exploring, participated in the Centenary Bio Blitz with Michael Mulvaney (ACT Government) and started bugging Waltraud at Friends of Mount Majura.

Before long, I had lots of sighting data, but no easy way to organise it…

CanberraNatureMap.org

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

A simple, convenient way to record rare plant sightings.Automate the collection of ACT biological survey data.Educate and increase awareness of the importance and

protection of Canberra’s treasures.Provide a friendly forum for ACT naturalists to upload their

sightings and to participate in informative discussion.CanberraNatureMap.org

HIGH TECH ERA

“We are on the cusp of a major technology shift.

Within a year or two, it will become increasingly difficult to even be able to purchase a camera that doesn’t have a built-in GPS sensor, this includes even cheap, low-end

models.

Everyone will have one and your camera probably already does.”CanberraNatureMap.org

HOW IT WORKS

1. Users register with the site.

2. Photos are taken with smart phones or GPS enabled cameras.

3. Photos are uploaded to Canberra Nature Map.

4. Location information is extracted from inside the photos and the particular Nature Park is determined automatically.

5. The community can discuss and suggest species identification.CanberraNatureMap.org

PRIVACY

1. A feed of all sightings including full species locations are periodically sent to the ACT Government CPR unit ALA etc.

2. Detailed locations of all sightings are kept hidden at all times and NEVER displayed to the general public to protect species(EXIF GPS information is stripped from your photos after upload).

3. You have full, ongoing access to your own sightings and records at any point in time. Handy for record keeping!CanberraNatureMap.org

MAPPING FUNCTION “MY MAP”

CanberraNatureMap.org

FEATURES

1. View all sightings on Mount Majura or any Nature Park.

2. Maintain a publicly visible timeline of species sightings for future generations E.g. Mt Ainslie Bat’s wing fern 1978 – 2013!

3. View sightings by species e.g. orchids, shrubs, styphelia triflora.

4. Follow particular species, nature parks or friends!

CanberraNatureMap.org

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

1. Site is still taking shape, your ideas and feedback are critical.

2. Development of mobile applications for iPhone and Android is currently under way.

3. Seeking to work together with Friends of Mount Majura and other park care groups right across the ACT. Ideas!?!?

CanberraNatureMap.org

QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION

Please visit:CanberraNatureMap.org

CanberraNatureMap.org