Digitalizing Nature

Love going outside? Love your phone too? Then have I got a treat for you: I have been designing a QR trail to run through the Conway!

A QR Code is a bar-code that you can scan with a smart phone app (both iPhones and Androids have several free QR readers available). Then your phone will pull up that code’s content, or link you to a website.

For example, here’s a QR code that links to this blog:

My QR trail is designed to explain the Conway and the Battlefield’s land management practices to the public. Essentially, it’s bite sized science communication. There are nine stops in total, featuring the wildlife of the Conway and the Battlefield, deer management, forest harvesting, and ecological succession among other topics. It’s my hope that visitors to the forest will learn a little about the natural environment they enjoy so much.

Here’s a sneak peak at what’s to come:

Ecological Succession: Remember how the English came to the New World in waves? Not everyone arrived at the same time: first came the pioneers, then the tradesmen, and later the general populace. The same happens with plants! Those who excel in open spaces colonize first and gradually other species join in.

If you’re not in the Manassas region, don’t worry! I’m about to publish a website that contains in-depth explanations of the trail topics along with some great pictures. I’ll let you all know when the website and trail are finalized.Stay tuned!