GIS and the Arboretum

Melissa Holm worked closely with Tom Kroll to update and revise the stand layer described above. The Arboretum is divided into individual stands according to dominant vegetation type. Tom has kept records of actions performed on each stand (i.e. controlled burns, buckthorn removal, etc.), and Melissa devised a system for digitally linking the records to the stand within the GIS. As a result, when a stand is selected on the screen, all of the information about past actions involving that particular stand is available. She also created an easy to use lookup table that allows users to interpret otherwise confusing stand codes (e.g. 52) into English (Norway pine). The interactive features of Melissa’s work cannot be easily viewed online, but please click here to see her updated and vastly improved map of vegetation in the Arboretum by stand type. 

Brandon Baker worked on updating and improving the standard Arboretum trails map which that is handed out to visitors and members. He improved the color scheme, made distinctions between types of land cover more easily discernible, completely revised the labeling scheme, and added new symbols for features such as Stella Maris Chapel.  You can see his work here.