This artifact utilizes ArcGIS suite story maps. The goal of this project was to demonstrate visual storytelling by combining disparate information to unite maps with other supporting graphics and images. Presenting information similarly to a longform infographic but with more user interaction can help in communicating a narrative with a lasting message. I chose to focus on an invasive species recently discovered in my hometown of Madison, WI. While working as a field research technician in the UW Agroecology department I had the opportunity to extract both soil and worm samples in the very place jumping worms were first discovered in Wisconsin, the UW-Madison Arboretum. This experience allowed me to learn more about jumping worms, both what is known, and things topics still under research, and overall feel a strong sense of connection to the project, as well using some of my own photographs. A difficult aspect of bringing this idea to life came when trying to abstract Wisconsin’s complicated history of worms into a shorter story. To decide which details to include I tried to consider who my goal audience was. I imagined this project could be used as an education tool for persons with no background in ecology. Ideally, this project might spark thoughts of soil and its importance, and worms and their often overlooked power.
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