Urban forest plays a critical role in supporting a healthy and resilient city by providing important environmental, social, and economic benefits. In light of this, the City of Port Moody is implementing their Urban Forestry Management Plan to inventory existing urban tree canopy and develop a long-term management plan to maximize benefits of trees while minimizing risks. As part of the BCIT Advanced Diploma Program in GIS, I completed my practicum at the City of Port Moody, with the focus on supporting the urban forestry team regarding tree data management and creating interactive mapping tools for data collection and public engagement.

Given the street tree locations collected by city staff, a unified park tree inventory was created in ArcGIS Pro by integrating the existing street tree data and consultant-collected data. Using the park tree data, two interactive tools were created for internal and external use with Esri technology:

  1. A park tree data collection tool using ArcGIS Field Maps Designer, and
  2. A public-facing street tree app using ArcGIS Experience Builder.

A Park Tree Data Collection Tool in ArcGIS Field Maps Designer

To capture missing park tree locations in the field, ArcGIS Field Maps Designer was used to configure a data collection form that aligns with the existing park tree data schema and supports field data collection.

The smart form was built based on the fields of the park tree inventory, data type, and domains that control the possible form elements, input type, and possible values respectively. Given the large number of fields, they were organized into logical groups using the Group element, making the form easy to navigate. For example, the Tree Information group includes fields like common name, scientific name, and tree height.

Additional form configurations were applied to improve data quality and ensure consistent data collection. Required fields were used to prevent incomplete records and make sure that essential attributes were captured for each tree, such as park name and tree status.

Group and Required Fields in ArcGIS Field Maps Designer

Conditional visibility was also applied using Arcade expressions, allowing certain fields or groups of fields to appear only when specific conditions were met. For example, when the tree status is marked as “Removed”, the “Tree Removal Information” group becomes visible, prompting staff to enter relevant removal details. This logic reduces visual clutter, minimizes user error, and ensures that only relevant information is collected.

Expression Builder in ArcGIS Field Maps Designer

Once the form was configured, the urban forestry staff used the ArcGIS Field Maps mobile application to collect new park tree locations. Newly collected data can be synchronized in near real time to ArcGIS Online, allowing updates to be viewed immediately.

Park Tree Data Collection Smart Form in ArcGIS Field Maps Mobile Application

By utilizing Field Maps, the urban forestry team can collect reliable and standardized data that fits into the existing data structure. This streamlined workflow supports an easier data maintenance process and enables more effective long-term park tree tracking and management.

Creating a Public-facing Street Tree Data App with ArcGIS Experience Builder

To make the street tree data accessible to the public for engagement and better understanding of the City’s urban forestry management efforts, an interactive web application was created. Given the target audience being the public, the street tree app was designed to be intuitive, accessible, and focused on essential information rather than technical complexity. While Esri offers multiple tools for creating web applications, ArcGIS Experience Builder was selected for its flexibility and ability to create interactive apps without writing code.

The street tree app was configured using a combination of views and widgets, with each component intentionally selected to support a clear and engaging user experience. The app consists of four main views: Home, Chart, Filter, and Picture. They are configured in a sidebar layout that allows users to switch between views while keeping other elements visible, such as the header, map, and table.

Home Page of the Street Tree Data Web App
The Chart, Filter, and Picture Views of the Street Tree Data Web App

Each view incorporates specific widgets to support exploration and interaction:

  1. Map widget (used across all views): Displays an interactive street tree map that allows users to pan, zoom, and explore street trees across the city.
  2. Chart widget (Chart view): Visualizes tree attributes using charts, such as bar charts and pie charts.
  3. List widget (Picture view): Displays attribute information for individual trees, including common name, location, and pictures.
  4. Filter widget (Filter view): Enables users to filter trees by criteria, such as tree type and common names, and the map will be updated dynamically.

Beyond the basic configuration of a widget, simple customization can also be done by using dynamic content to display the underlying data. For example, the Indicator at the top of the sidebar was created using a Text widget with dynamic content, showing the number of trees currently displayed in the map automatically. As users apply filters or zoom in and out, the number would change to reflect the number based on the map extent, receiving immediate feedback as they explore the data.

Through this app, the public can explore and learn more about local tree species in their neighourhoods. ArcGIS Experience Builder demonstrates how GIS data can be transformed into accessible, interactive tools that connect technical datasets with everyday users.

Conclusion

Urban forestry relies on accurate data, efficient workflows, and accessible information to support long-term planning and stewardship of urban tree canopy. GIS plays a critical role in connecting these needs by enabling cities to collect reliable field data, manage complex datasets, and communicate information effectively to both staff and the public.

I am grateful for the opportunity to work in a municipal environment and support the important work of urban forestry. I would like to thank my practicum sponsor, Angela Yan, for her guidance and support, as well as the urban forestry team and GIS team for their insights and collaboration throughout the project. This experience reinforced my interest in web mapping and interactive GIS design. I look forward to continuing to build user-focused GIS applications that bridge technical data and real-world decision-making in future projects and roles.

Connect with me on LinkedIn.