If you're with an organization or municipality and would like to build your own invasive species map, follow the detailed instructions here to do so using Google My Maps.

This method allows members of your community to submit geotagged photos via email, which you then import into Google My Maps to automatically plot locations on a shared map that will look similar to the Newtown Knotweed Initiative map.

Step 1: Instruct Photo Contributors
Create instructions for your community members to send you their photos of knotweed.
Critical requirement - Enable location services:Contributors MUST have location services enabled when taking photos. The GPS coordinates embedded in the photo metadata are what make automatic mapping possible.
Instructions for enabling location on phones:
iPhone:

• Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services
• Turn on Location Services
• Scroll down to Camera
• Select "While Using the App"

Android:

• Open Camera app
• Go to Settings (gear icon)
• Enable "Save location" or "GPS tag"

           (Note: exact wording varies by manufacturer)
How to submit:

• Take photos with location enabled
• Email photos to your designated collection email address
• Include any additional details in the email (exact location description, date observed, etc.)
  
  

Step 2: Collect Photos

• Set up a dedicated email address for photo submissions
• As photos arrive, download them to your computer
• Organize them in folders by batch or date if desired
• Keep original photos unchanged (don't edit or resize, as this may strip metadata)

 
Step 3: Start a New Map

• Go to google.com/mymaps
• Sign in with your Google account
• Click "Create a New Map"
• Click on "Untitled map" at the top and give your map a meaningful name

          Example: "Japanese Knotweed Locations in [Your Town]"

• Add a description explaining the map's purpose
  
  

Step 4: Upload Photos to Google Photos
Before importing photos to your map, you need to organize them in Google Photos:

• Go to photos.google.com
• Sign in with the same Google account you'll use for My Maps
• Click on Albums under Collections
• Create a new album by clicking the "+" icon at the top right
• • Give the album a descriptive name (e.g., "Knotweed Photos - October 2025")
• Upload your geotagged photos:

            • Click the "Upload" button (cloud icon with up arrow) in the top right
            • Select "Computer" to upload from your device
            • Select all the photos from a single batch and upload them

• Create an album for your uploaded photos:

• Once photos are uploaded, select all the photos from your batch
          • Click the "+" icon at the top right
          • Select "Album"
          • Give the album a descriptive name (e.g., "Knotweed Photos - October 2025")
          • Click "Done"
Important tips:

• Don't edit or rename photos before uploading - keep the original filenames and metadata intact. The GPS location data in the photo metadata is what Google My Maps will use to place markers
  
  

Step 5: Import Photos to Create Location Points

• In your map, click "Add layer" (this keeps submissions organized by date or batch)
• Give the layer a name (e.g., "October 2024 Reports" or "Batch 1")
• Click "Import" under the layer name
• In the import window, you'll see several tabs at the top - click on "Google Photos"
• You'll see your Google Photos albums listed
• Select the album containing your geotagged photos
• Select all the photos you want to upload and click on Insert.

What happens next:

• Google My Maps reads the GPS coordinates from each photo's metadata
• Each photo automatically creates a map marker at its location
• The photo appears as a thumbnail on the marker
  
  

Step 6: Organize and Edit Markers (Optional)
After importing, you can:

• Click on individual markers to add descriptions
• Edit the automatically generated names
• Add additional information (date reported, severity, property owner contacted, etc.)
• Change marker icons or colors
• Delete any markers that didn't import correctly

To add more photos later:

• Upload new photos to Google Photos
• Add them to a new or existing album
• Select the appropriate layer in your map
• Click "Import" again
• Select the album from Google Photos
• Select the photos in the album to add.
  
  

Understanding Google My Maps Limits
Google My Maps has specific limitations you should be aware of when planning your project, especially if you're tracking many locations over time.
Current Limits (as of 2025)
Per Layer:

• Maximum of 2,000 features (points, lines, or shapes) per layer
• This includes photos imported as location markers

Per Map:

• Maximum of 10 layers per map
• Maximum of 10,000 total features across all layers
• Maximum of 50,000 total points (in lines and shapes combined)

File Size:

• Unzipped KML and KMZ files can be up to 5 MB

If you're tracking a widespread invasive species:

• Once a single layer reaches 2,000 photo submissions, you'll need to create a new layer
• After 10 layers (20,000 photos maximum if fully using each layer), you'll need to create a new map

Important: Google My Maps will silently truncate data that exceeds the 2,000 feature limit when importing. You won't receive an error message, but your map will simply stop adding markers after 2,000 in a single layer. Always verify your import completed fully by checking the count.
 
Step 7: Share Your Map
Option 1: Get an Embed Code for Your Website

• Click the "Share" button (below the map title)
• In the sharing settings, make sure the map is set to:

"Anyone with the link can view" OR

• Click "Done"
• Click the three-dot menu (⋮) next to the map title
• Select "Embed on my site"
• Copy the HTML iframe code
• Paste this code into your website's HTML where you want the map to appear

Option 2: Share Direct Link

• Click the "Share" button
• Copy the sharing link
• Post this link on social media, newsletters, or your website

 
Troubleshooting
Problem: Photos won't import or show no location

• Cause: Location services weren't enabled when photo was taken
• Solution: Contact submitter to enable location services and retake photo

Problem: Marker appears in wrong location

• Cause: GPS was inaccurate when photo taken (poor signal, indoors)
• Solution: Manually drag marker to correct location on map

Problem: Can't see imported photos

• Cause: Photos may be too large or in unsupported format
• Solution: Google My Maps works best with JPG/JPEG format; try re-importing

Problem: Map won't embed on website

• Cause: Privacy settings too restrictive
• Solution: Change map sharing to "Anyone with the link" or "Public"

Problem: Layer won't accept more photos

• Cause: You've reached the 2,000 feature limit for that layer
• Solution: Create a new layer and continue importing there. The silent truncation means your map simply stops adding markers without warning.