We have been working on inputting all of the data we have collected in the past into a GIS map! Our map contains data from past research, as well as, data that we have collected on the locations of different trees on campus. The map has around 3,000 trees right now and southside and the arboreteum haven't even been mapped yet! The process is slow because we have to walk around to each tree and document where it is and then digitize it onto the map individually.
We also went to a conference in September in Minneapolis with Dan to present on what we have been doing. The conference was awesome and there were a lot of other people who had similar projects creating maps of trees on campus. We got some ideas from that are looking into the logistics of expanding our map to include certain attributes for each tree; such as CO2 sequestration.
A few weeks ago we went on a Oak Tree Savannah tour with Dave Robertson of the geography department, workers from Allegheny State Park, representatives from the India reservation, GVC members and a few others. We got to see how the big Geneseo Oaks were created, by prescribed burning by Native Americans. Today the oaks are being encroached by what's growing in around them. The oak tree savannah a were beneficial to create plains for hunting, but were man made and not natural to the area.
We're also working on getting the campus certified as a Tree Campus USA so that we can receive recognition for our diversity and get some free trees :) To do this, we are creating a Campus Tree Care Plan, and putting together a Tree Committee of faculty, community members, facilities and students.
