Beyond the Garden Path: Technology Tells Rokeby's Wildlife Garden Native Plant Story
OSGF
This summer, GIS intern Jaime Woodside developed a comprehensive dataset and interactive StoryMap to showcase the Rokeby Wildlife Garden, combining advanced GIS technology with ecological expertise.
GIS Intern Jaime Woodside (left) and GIS Data Systems Manager Katharine Perkin (right) stand in the Rokeby Wildlife Garden.
Using a high-accuracy GPS, plant points were collected throughout the garden, establishing geographically referenced locations. The Biodiversity Conservation Team's (BCT) drone captured imagery that allowed Jaime to digitally trace pathways and garden beds, combining ground-truth GPS data with aerial perspectives for accurate spatial representations.
Plant information was refined through collaboration with the BCT to capture ecological impact and growth considerations. Photographs complemented the spatial data, configured as pop-ups in ArcGIS Enterprise with guidance from GIS Data Systems Manager Katharine Perkin. BCT Plant Conservation Apprentice Sam Terry designed custom symbology and a developed color palette to enhance clarity and bring character to the digital map.
The result is an interactive tool that documents the garden's design and tells the story of its ongoing evolution; revealing what a wildlife garden is, the importance of supporting native plants, and how OSGF’s wildlife garden was created.
The ArcGIS StoryMap is an interactive tool that allows users to explore the contents of the Rokeby Wildlife Garden in detail.
Features of the StoryMap include a guided tour presenting detailed information for highlighted plant and hardscape features. Native plant species are highlighted due to their value to wildlife and beauty, while stone, wood, and water elements provide essential habitat components for insects, birds, and amphibians. Most importantly, the StoryMap provides access to the Rokeby Wildlife Garden Species List, a living document with detailed species information and data-driven priority planting ranks to guide your own garden decisions.
Explore the full dataset, access educational resources, and experience the garden in person at the 2nd Annual Rokeby Community Festival on September 27th. As the garden evolves, revisit the StoryMap to observe its development and OSGF's commitment to conservation, education, and community engagement.
You can also learn more about the Oak Spring Garden Foundation’s conservation & biodiversity projects here.