We’re celebrating summer so buckle up, hit the road, and check out the newest episode of “Map Chats” – where our Center for Conservation Innovation Mappers host a quick chat with our experts about our latest maps! This episode features Becca and Allison chatting about our Summer Road Trip. Explore for yourself at https://defenders.org/summer-road-trip.
Video Transcript:
Becca:
Hi, mappers. I’m Becca here with our Center for Conservation Innovation team at Defenders of Wildlife.
We have a new interactive map for our Summer Road Trip. So we’ve invited our content writer, Allison here to chat about this fun project. Hey, Allison.
Allison:
Hi Becca!
Becca:
So, Allison, what is the Summer Road Trip and why did you decide to map it?
Allison:
The Summer Road Trip is a fun and different way for everyone to explore the places Defenders works.
Each week this summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, we will be taking a trip virtually around a state. Our experts living in the state share three cool places anyone can check out when they plan their real-life visit.
We also look at three of the amazing species we’re fighting for that call the state home and provide tips to keep in mind while traveling.
We wanted to create an interactive map for the Summer Road Trip so our audiences can explore the places we are traveling in a similar way they would if they’re planning a road trip themselves.
But Becca, this map would not have been possible without you. Thank you so much for building this map and making our vision a reality.
Since you’ve been helping with this, what’s been the most interesting thing you’ve learned?
Becca:
I’ve got two answers.
First was learning about the different features of this experience builder mapping application.
I really wanted to find the best way for users to interact with this map, to make it feel as much like a road trip as possible. So I relied heavily on bookmarks. So users can zoom around the map to places of interest and where to find cool wildlife.
Second was the content itself. I really enjoyed adding each state as there are parks, towns, waterfalls I’ve never heard of and now I would love to visit.
So Allison, how can people use this map?
Allison:
Anyone visiting the Summer Road Trip webpage on defenders.org can explore this map. Each state we are visiting this summer is marked with a star, and the states we have already visited can be explored by clicking on the name of the state at the top of the map.
After selecting a state, explorers will be zoomed in and shown six icons on the map.
The three pins note where each “must see stop” from our experts is located. To learn more about each place, viewers can scroll on the left panel.
The three animal icons represent species we are working hard to protect. These icons are placed in an area where they are currently found in the wild.
Explorers can click on these icons to learn more about the species.
Map visitors can also read our sustainable tips on the right side of the map for each state.
Becca:
Thanks for joining us, Allison.
Make sure to ride along with our Summer Road Trip on our website, and we’ll see you next time for more Map Chats!
Defenders of Wildlife works on the ground, in the courts, and on Capitol Hill to protect and restore imperiled wildlife and habitats across North America. Together, we can ensure a future for the wildlife and wild places we all love.
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