Geomob Olivia Ragone: OSM at the National Trust
Jul 27, 2025
In this discussion, Olivia Ragone, the GIS Data Officer at the National Trust, shares her expertise in mapping the UK’s historic sites and trails. She emphasizes the value of using OpenStreetMap for accurate trail mapping, urging community engagement and collaboration in data collection. Olivia reveals the challenges of managing over 600 sites, including the incorporation of permissive paths, and discusses the future of interactive mapping for enhancing visitor experiences. She highlights the role of open data in conservation and the importance of making outdoor activities accessible.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Scale And Purpose Of The National Trust
- The National Trust is a huge conservation charity owning diverse sites and land across the UK.
- Managing paths and trails at scale requires coordinated data and membership-backed stewardship.
Why OpenStreetMap Was Chosen
- OpenStreetMap (OSM) offered a faster, more complete base for permissive paths than Ordnance Survey.
- OSM's openness also makes it easier for outdoors apps and routing engines to adopt Trust data.
Two-Phase Data Capture With Rangers
- The Trust ran two data-capture phases: mapping the path network with rangers, then physically surveying promoted trails.
- They also invite volunteers to 'walk with a purpose' and help maintain the data.