OpenTreeMap, an open source software project for collaborative, geography-enabled urban tree inventory, now enables smartphone and tablet access to public tree inventories and planting sites.

Philadelphia, PA, September 27, 2012 - Azavea, a geospatial analysis (GIS) software development company has released the source code for the first smartphone version of its OpenTreeMap urban tree inventory software. OpenTreeMap enables organizations to collaborate with the general public to map trees in the urban forest and explore the economic and environmental benefits they generate for the community. Available at:https://github.com/azavea/OpenTreeMap-iOS , the OpenTreeMap Mobile code provides access to an OpenTreeMap database via smartphone and tablet devices. The OpenTreeMap Mobile code is now available for iPhones, and an Android version is currently under development and should be available later this fall.

The first application of the new OpenTreeMap Mobile iPhone was released in late August and provides mobile access to PhillyTreeMap, a web-based map database of trees in the greater 13-county, 3-state Philadelphia region. The app can be downloaded for free athttp://itunes.apple.com/us/app/phillytreemap/id553281447. Powered by OpenTreeMap Mobile, iPhone apps will also be available for the Urban Forest Map in San Francisco and the GreenprintMaps project in Sacramento in the next few weeks.

Urban street trees have proven benefits for communities including providing shade, improving air quality, assisting with stormwater runoff, raising property values, decreasing utility bills, and enhancing the look and feel of communities. While tree inventories ensure that municipalities have data to consult when managing the urban forest, creating a complete inventory is a time consuming and resource intensive process. OpenTreeMap provides an easy-to-use public inventory platform that enables individuals, organizations, and governments to collaboratively contribute to an interactive and dynamic map of a community’s tree population.

The benefits of using mobile technology for tree inventories were demonstrated this past summer as interns at the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission used PhillyTreeMap to conduct a survey of over 1,500 trees in South Philadelphia. Accessing the site via iPads, the interns were able to add trees and edit data directly in PhillyTreeMap and then export their survey results for further spatial analysis.

OpenTreeMap is currently in use in five cities across the country. Along with Philadelphia, OpenTreeMap is used in San Francisco (http://urbanforestmap.org/), Sacramento (http://greenprintmaps.org/map/), San Diego (http://sandiegotreemap.org/map/), and Grand Rapids (http://treemap.urbanforestproject.com/map/).

OpenTreeMap and OpenTreeMap Mobile are open source projects. For more information about OpenTreeMap or to download the code, visit: http://www.opentreemap.org 
About Azavea - Azavea is an award-winning geospatial analysis (GIS) software development firm specializing in the creation of location-based web and mobile software as well as geospatial analysis services. Azavea is a certified B Corporation that applies geographic data and technology to promote the emergence of more dynamic, vibrant, and sustainable communities while advancing the state-of-the-art through research. Each of Azavea’s projects, products and pro bono engagements showcases this commitment.

If you would like more information about Azavea or to schedule an interview with Robert Cheetham, Azavea CEO and President, please contact Amy Trahey at (215) 558 – 6184 or e-mail atrahey(at)azavea(dot)com.