This project will use a TreeTrails app developed by TiCL Media (based at the Sussex Innovation Centre in One Croydon) for the Tree Council.
Local resident, Esther Potman (who provides forest school activities for Tunstall Nursery School) will identify, photograph and log up to 350 trees in the ECCO area on the app.
People will be able to download the TreeTrails app onto their smart phone or tablet from the ECCO and TiCL websites. If they are interested in a particular tree, they will be able to open the app and find a list of trees near them in order of proximity. By clicking on an icon, they will go to a photo of the tree itself with its English and Latin names. A link below the image will take them to further information about that particular species from websites such as that of the Royal Horticultural Society.
Alternatively, they could click on the image of a particular species of tree to find out where it is marked on the map. An arrow will come up on the map showing them how far away the tree is and in which direction. The map will also be displayed on the TiCL and ECCO websites.
It is hoped that the app will help local people take a greater interest in the trees in their area, making them more likely to water young street trees near their homes and to take part in local environmental activities.
Many thanks to Councillors Jerry Fitzpatrick, Patricia Hay-Justice and Sean Fitzsimons for awarding ECCO these funds from their Community Ward Budget.