Earth Day Pictorial Nature Map

By Kerilyn Perron, GIS Mapping Technician, Royal Botanical Gardens

Celebrated annually, Earth Day is a global event to create awareness for environmental conservation and to encourage people to take action to reduce environmental impacts and protect our planet.

This Earth Day, Royal Botanical Gardens honours our part in taking care of the planet with this pictorial map created by RBG’s GIS Mapping Technician.

Key features:

What is a Pictorial Map?

This style of cartography predates the 19^th century and gained popularity in the middle of the twentieth century. Pictorial maps overlooked the scientific accuracy of survey maps and drew upon the atmosphere and legends that make places unique.

The creative use of illustrations, images and text enhance the cartographic theme: a celebration of recognizable natural features, diversity and landmarks that enhance the gardens and natural lands. The illustrations and images draw the reader’s eye around the world of RBG and provides a glimpse through the verdant landscape depicting the uniqueness of each area. The illustrations and text in the map convey to the reader RBG actions to preserve unique plant species and historic features (ex. The Hendrie Park Gates), conserve ecologically sensitive habitat, sustain the land and everything that grows in or on it, and support biodiversity across all areas of RBG.

GIS Mapping at RBG

In 1998, RBG explored the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to assist with collections management. The value and importance of GIS technology was established to aid digital collections management and mapping. Today, GIS has many uses at RBG, including thematic mapping of the gardens, monitoring invasive species and species at risk, navigation and access to information about what is located in each area of RBG.

Additional Reading and Maps:

• Harvard Library: Pictorial Maps
• Canadian Scientists Collaborate to Map Biodiversity and the Human Footprint