For my project, I have sought to bridge the disconnect between technology and the natural world though the creation of “The Iowa State Lichen Trail”, which is hosted on a mobile friendly website. The website will guide, students, staff, faulty and visitors across ISU’s campus, stopping at multiple locations. Since most of the visitors will have never learned about this organism before, I have included a “getting to know us” and “basic anatomy” page to help orient visitors. At each stop, there are multiple pictures guiding the user to locate and identify the key features of the lichen. Each stop lists the names, both scientific and common, pertinent information about its ecology, and at several spots, how to distinguish the species from similar species. I collected, identified, and chose all the lichens represented on the webpage. I intentionally chose long-living, permanent lichen to ensure the trail can be enjoyed for the years to come
