The ArcGIS Public Garden Data Model, formerly known as the ArcGIS Botanical Garden & Zoological Park Data Model, is an evolving free and open source geographic information system (GIS) template for implementing GIS projects at botanical gardens, zoos, and similar public landscapes that is designed for Environmental Systems Research Institute’s (ESRI) ArcGIS software. The data model is being designed by a consortium of domain specialists from the botanical garden and zoological park community called the Alliance for Public Gardens GIS (APGG) that is led by the UC Davis Arboretum in an effort to provide institutions of all sizes and funding levels an effective means of achieving a return on investment with GIS.

 

The data model is still a work in progress, but the most current version provides most of the functionality anticipated for the release version, but without documentation.  The current version provides users with the ability to map and analyze base map data such as soils, water, and boundaries; facilities and infrastructure data such as structures, pavement, and landscape features; and basic plant collections data required for producing collection maps.  Work is also in progress on producing a comprehensive tree health, hazard, and benefit assessment module as described in the 2009 IMLS Conservation Program Support Grant Project Description document at the bottom of this page.

 

The current version of the data model contains a common subset of all of the features that a typical public garden might map, but does not contain all of them.  If you would like to use the data model, but it does not have the capacity to store a feature of interest such as dedication signs or benches, the APGG would like to work with you to develop these features.  Please contact us by visiting the Support page for more information.

 

For more information on the project, please download the conference proceedings and presentation at the bottom of this page.  The most current version of the model can be downloaded by visiting the Downloads section of the site.