UW Extensions New App Connects Users with Wyoming Particulars

Wyoming visitors and residents can open a vault of more than 400 videos georeferenced to the state’s landmarks, counties, history, culture, energy, flora, fauna and more with an app from University of Wyoming Extension.

Explorewyo is available on iTunes and on the web at www.uwexplorewyo.org, says David Keto, UW Extension media producer.

The app taps into “Exploring the Nature of Wyoming” videos produced by UW Extension’s rangeland team for a number of years, broadcast through weekly television public service announcements and posted on YouTube.

The videos were created to educate the general public about natural resources and natural resource management, says Extension Educator Ashley Garrelts, who heads the rangeland team. Members research topics, write scripts, scout for locations and serve as on-camera hosts. Videos also are used in educational events hosted by UW Extension.

The team wanted to make the videos mobile accessible.

“And since many of the videos focus on specific points of interest in the state, we wanted to make the videos available on a map with georeferenced locations,” Keto says.

Videos can be viewed on the map, list or thumbnails. The map interface is the key feature, Keto says.

“The map view, in particular, makes it easy to see videos near your location and provides additional layers, such as historic trails and mountain peaks, to provide even more context for the videos,” he says.

Students may find it particularly useful for Wyoming history and science or agriculture classes, Keto says. For example, iconic Heart Mountain between Powell and Cody wasn’t always where it is -- it’s part of an ancient landslide that began near what is now Cooke City, Mont., 40 miles to the west and north.

“We hope the app will be useful to folks traveling around Wyoming or planning a trip at home by accessing the web version, as well as residents who want to learn more about our state,” Keto says.

For more information, contact Keto at (307) 766-5695 or dketo@uwyo.edu, or Garrelts at (307) 358-2417 or ashleyg@uwyo.edu.

---