iNature Trail along Wildlife Drive at Ding Darling
FACT SHEET
ABOUT OUR TRAIL
The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge iNature Trail uses a set of QR (Quick Response) codes that smart phone-users can scan with free downloadable apps such as NeoReader or QR Scan.
The trail includes 10 signs, each with a separate code designed for children and adults.
This is the first trail of its kind in the National Wildlife Refuge System of more than 550 refuges, and the first known interactive QR wildlife trail in the country.
Our iNature Trail is also eco-friendly; it reduces the amount of paper needed for brochures.
By using the QR system, refuge visitors can access unique videos and messages for an entirely different and enhanced tour experience.
A handful of parks in the country, such as Fort Smith National Historic Site currently use QR technology, but the majority direct users to a website. Our iNature trail goes a step further by linking to interactive videos.
Central Park in New York has an extremely dynamic QR trail, and it is our goal to secure the funding to do something similar for ”Ding” Darling Refuge .
The new Refuge iNature Trail is made possible by private charitable donations to the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge.
ABOUT QR TECHNOLOGY
QR codes are two-dimensional bar codes that can be used in a variety of ways. A company can choose from any number of sites that will generate a QR code for free and put that code almost anywhere—on a website, a postcard, or even a T-shirt.
Smart phone (any phone with a camera and Internet access, such as iPhone, Android, Blackberry, etc.) users employ the camera on their phones to scan QR codes. Newer phones have the scanning technology built in, but older models will need a downloaded free app such as NeoReader or QR Scan.
Scanned QR codes instantly take users to whatever content is linked to the code.
QR codes can link to any form of follow-up: a text message, phone call initiation, or a web site. It can be used on almost any form of promotional product: business cards, trail signs, billboards, business window signs, etc.
The codes look like a complicated pixelated maze. Here’s a sample of what one looks like, and if you scan the code below, you’ll go to a draft welcome video for the trail:
QR codes are starting to create a buzz in the marketing world. Currently, 40% of U.S. adults own a smart phone. The majority QR users are males over age 30 with an annual Household Income of $100k.
Morgan Stanley Research estimates that by 2012 smart phone sales will surpass PC sales.
Forester Research predicts that more online visits will be from mobile devices than PCs by 2014.
For images and more information, please contact:
Chelle Koster Walton
239-472-3499
ChelleTrav@aol.com