South Hams Habitat Map Project
Help us to find out where all the wildlife friendly gardens and patches of land are in the South Hams so we can build an interconnected wildlife web and discover where we can work to create wildlife corridors to preserve and encourage our hard-pressed wildlife.
The Habitat Map
Here is the map of wildlife friendly spaces mapped so far. Place your cursor over the map and you can zoom in and out and click and drag to move around the map and explore the area. Where you see a colour-tinted shape on the map or a flower symbol these are sites added by other supporters. Click on them to see information about the habitats there. We want to see these maps covered with wildlife friendly spaces - all added by people like you.
If you want a larger version of the map to view click on the symbol in the top right corner. This will open the large map in a new window. Click on the top left hand corner to see the key. If you go to the larger view simply close that window when you have finished to return to this page. You can't harm the map or change anything by clicking on it, so just enjoy exploring it.
If you fancy plotting your patch on to the map yourself here's how
Watch the video that shows step by step how to add to the map, or follow the simple steps below:
All you need is a Google account and to be signed in. If you need to create an account it is very simple and quick.
Start by opening the Do-It-Yourself Habitat Map:
Click and drag to scroll and bring your patch into view. Or use the search facility by clicking on the magnifying glass symbol and typing in your nearest village name or post code.
1. Select the habitat you wish to record in the menu list on the left in the sidebar (the left edge will go blue indicating it is ‘live’). So, for example, if the habitat to be recorded is woodland…
2. Click on the woodland box. The left edge will go blue indicating it is ‘live’.
3. Select the polygon symbol from the tools just below the search box (circled in red below).
4. Draw around your patch by clicking at intervals as you need to change direction to encompass the patch. Finish by clicking on the click point you started from to fully enclose the area. A box will pop up so you can name it if you wish and add any particular description. Use the flower symbol Site info layer for general information, species lists, history or any other information you wish to record.
You can add to this information at any time in the future simply by going into edit mode as above, clicking on your patch and then clicking on the edit symbol (a pencil) you will see in the box that pops up. For instance, if you list in the pop-up box the wildflower species that grow in your patch or the creatures you see, you can add to your list as you discover them or when more appear because of the habitat creation you have done.
DON’T PANIC!
Should you click on someone else’s patch by accident (a thick white line appears around the patch and the click points appear as little solid circles) simply move the cursor off any patch and click. The outlining will disappear and the patch will no longer be ‘live’.
Should you actually move a patch or a point in the patch boundary simply ‘undo’ each move by pressing Command + Z on a Mac, Control + Z on a Windows PC or simply use the undo button on the My Map screen which is the left-most button in the same toolbar as the polygon button. There are several ‘undo’ steps available so you should always be able to get the map back into the state you found it.
5. Close or click off to close the pop up.
6. Close the window.
Done. Your DIY plot will be transferred to the online South Hams Habitat Map at the earliest opportunity we have.
Please send us an email via the link below to alert us that your plot has been recorded, or if you need any other information or want some changes made.