Forage Friends is a gamified educational web application designed to help young people safely learn about Vancouver’s local flora. The project was developed in response to the CityStudio Vancouver F3: Edible Plants and Food Safety challenge, which asks how technology can help people learn about edible plants in their neighbourhood while providing clear safety information and reducing the risk of misinformation. Many aspiring foragers and nature enthusiasts rely on scattered online sources that can be difficult to verify. Inaccurate or incomplete information can lead to plant misidentification, creating potential safety risks and discouraging people from engaging with local environmental learning opportunities. We identified a need for a reliable, accessible, and locally focused resource that supports both plant education and plant safety. To address this challenge, we developed a platform that combines image-based plant identification, an interactive flora map, a searchable database of Vancouver plant species, and access to trusted educational resources. Users can explore local flora, contribute plant sightings, learn about plant characteristics, and see relevant safety considerations within a single web application.

To increase engagement among younger audiences, Forage Friends incorporates gamified features that reward users for exploring local flora, contributing to the community map, and expanding their knowledge. This approach helps transform environmental education into an interactive and enjoyable experience. Throughout the project, we researched local plant species, evaluated reliable information sources, and refined the application through feedback and testing. One of our key learnings was the importance of balancing accessibility, engagement, and information accuracy when designing educational technology. In our testing we found that delivery of the same information in a more approachable format can be the catalyst to inspire learners to engage with educational media.

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Next Steps

Forage Friends was shared with our City staff partner as a proof-of-concept demonstrating how technology can support environmental education and plant safety. The project successfully brought together plant identification, community mapping, educational resources, and gamification into a single platform designed for young people. The concepts, findings, and recommendations developed through this project provide valuable insights for future initiatives related to environmental education, urban biodiversity, and community learning. Forage Friends highlights how digital tools can encourage curiosity about local flora while promoting safe and informed interactions with plant life. The project serves as an example of how educational technology and media can make environmental learning more accessible, interactive, and engaging.