From PlantsMap to Plantsoon: A Digital Conservation Journey
Rick Brown's Journey from Crisis to Opportunity
"When the QR codes on our existing tree signs were once again readable after 3 months of being inactive—happy day! "
When Technology Fails Nature
In the tranquil woodlands of Tidewater Virginia, along the Bassett Trace Nature Trail, QR codes affixed to remarkable trees tell stories spanning centuries. Behind these digital gateways stands Rick Brown, whose dedication to connecting people with nature is reflected in the volunteer work he does. "When we first started as a volunteer project, we were inexperienced and sought the guidance of Professor Eric Wiseman, Ph.D. at Virginia Tech," Rick explains. "He recommended we use PlantsMap as a cloud-based, inexpensive means of recording and storing our collected data. His advice saved us untold time and money as volunteers." Following this expert guidance, for five years, Rick and his team of 30 volunteers meticulously documented the unique flora of Bassett Trace Nature Trail using PlantsMap. "We discovered trees that were over 250 years old that we have been able to measure and document," Rick shares. "There are several 'disjunct' plant species that really should not be found growing in this area. Because of the unique geological formations found here, these plants have survived and thrived in Tidewater Virginia."
Then disaster struck. PlantsMap experienced a catastrophic technology failure, rendering all QR codes on plant labels non-operational. Five years of volunteer work—thousands of hours documenting the rich biodiversity of Bassett Trace Nature Trail—became inaccessible to visitors and the volunteers alike.
From Recovery to Innovation
When Plantsoon stepped in to help former PlantsMappers, Rick, like many others, was looking for a solution to recover years of documentation work. Thanks to Bill Blevins, who made the essential data available for migration, Plantsoon was able to restore access to the trail's digital archive, making the QR codes functional again. Rick now shares Plantsoon with other volunteer groups in his presentations, highlighting how the platform offers "an inexpensive, user-friendly alternative to recording, storing, and sharing the data that our volunteers collect in our woodlands."
The most valuable Plantsoon feature for Rick's volunteer work? "The ability to locate and pin a specific plant on a map, add photos, and then generate and display a QR code that will contain a virtual library of information for that plant." As a Professional Tier subscriber, Rick appreciates how Plantsoon allows visitors to "do a simple plant identification hike or engage in deep research depending on their own level of interest by scanning our QR codes." When advocating for Plantsoon to other volunteer groups, Rick finds they are attracted to "the different subscription levels that allow them to tailor their use to their needs and budgets."
A Special Place in Plantsoon’s History
When asked about his relationship with Plantsoon, Rick explains, "I personally went from being a prior PlantsMap user who needed to restore all the photos and data that we had assembled and recorded over a 5-year period, to a new Plantsoon user who could provide some 'grass roots' insight into added features that would make our work as volunteers more complete."
"Rick has become much more than just a user to us at Plantsoon—he's a mentor, advisor, and I'm honored to say, a personal friend," shares Heidi Bertels, co-founder of Plantsoon. "We've exchanged countless emails where I've sought Rick's input on features and improvements, and he's always patiently shared his insights. His feedback has been instrumental in shaping our platform." For Plantsoon, Rick's practical experience and dedication to botanical documentation have provided invaluable real-world perspective. "Rick will always have a special place in Plantsoon's history," Bertels continues. "His willingness to offer candid feedback and share our platform with other volunteer groups has helped us grow in ways that truly serve the conservation community. Through Rick, we can respect all the wonderful work of PlantsMap in the past while building for the future. He understands both the technology needs and the on-the-ground realities of botanical documentation. And he's just also a nice person to converse with!"
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