Creating Your First Project

Step-by-step guide to setting up your first ecological design project on EcoDesign. This comprehensive walkthrough will help you create a successful project from start to finish.

Ready to Start?

Creating your first ecological project is an exciting step! This guide will walk you through every detail, from choosing the right project type to getting your first AI research insights.

Before You Begin

Essential Preparation

Project Preparation Checklist

Use our comprehensive Project Preparation Guide to gather essential information:

Site Location: Exact address or coordinates
Site Dimensions: Area in square meters or hectares
Current Conditions: Existing vegetation, structures, land use
Project Goals: What you want to achieve
Timeline: When you want to start and complete phases
Budget Constraints: Financial limitations or resources
Local Information: Climate zone, soil type, water access

Pro Tip: The preparation guide includes forms you can copy to Microsoft Word for offline data collection!

Project Creation Process

There are two ways to create a project in EcoDesign. Choose whichever suits your workflow best.

Method A: Research a Site (Recommended)

Start with Site Research

This newer, streamlined approach lets you create a project while simultaneously researching your site with AI-powered analysis.

Click "Research a Site" from the top navigation bar
On the landing page, click "Start New Site Research"
Define your project location and site boundaries on the interactive map
AI will automatically analyze your site's characteristics including topography, climate, vegetation, hydrology, soil, and resilience
Your project is created with all research data already populated

Bonus: If you already have projects, you can also select "Continue with Existing Project" from the same page to resume research on a previously created project.

Video Tutorial: Research a Site

Watch this training video to see the "Research a Site" flow in action:

This video covers defining your site, setting boundaries, and the automated AI site analysis.

What "Research a Site" Analyzes

Topography
Elevation, slope, aspect

Climate
Temperature, rainfall, frost

Vegetation
Land cover and types

Hydrology
Water flow and drainage

Soil
Texture, composition

Resilience
Design resilience score

Location Selection (Critical Step)

Precise Location is Essential

Accurate location selection enables our AI agents to provide:

Local climate data and patterns
Regional plant recommendations
Soil type information
Local regulations and permits
Seasonal growing information

Location Selection Tips:

Zoom in close: Use the map zoom to get as precise as possible
Use address search: Enter your exact address in the search box
Click the exact spot: Click directly on your project area
Verify the pin: Make sure the red pin is exactly where your project will be
Double-check coordinates: The latitude/longitude should match your location

Basic Project Information

Required Information

Project Name: Choose a descriptive, memorable name
Description: Brief overview of your goals and vision
Project Area: Size in square meters or hectares
Primary Purpose: Food production, ecosystem restoration, education, etc.

Naming Best Practices

Include location: "Sunshine Community Garden" or "Riverside Food Forest"
Include purpose: "Urban Rooftop Vegetables" or "Native Plant Restoration"
Be specific: "Phase 1 - North Field" for larger projects
Keep it manageable: Names you can easily remember and reference

Method B: From the Home Page

Go to the EcoDesign Home Page
Click either "Create Garden Project" or "Create Bigger Project"
You'll be redirected to the location selection page

Video Tutorial: Creating Your First Project

Watch this comprehensive walkthrough to see the project creation process in action:

This video covers the complete process from project type selection to your first AI research session.

Initial Project Settings

The 8 Configuration Sections

After creating your project, you'll access the comprehensive project settings. Don't worry about completing everything immediately - you can always return and add more information as you learn about your site.

1. Project Basics

Start here first:

Detailed project description
Goals and objectives
Timeline and phases
Budget considerations

2. Climate

Essential for plant selection:

Local climate zone
Temperature extremes
Rainfall patterns
Seasonal variations

3. Soil

Foundation of your project:

Soil type and texture
pH levels
Nutrient content
Drainage characteristics

4. Water

Critical for sustainability:

Water sources
Quality and treatment
Irrigation options
Conservation strategies

5. Hydrology

Water flow and management:

Drainage patterns
Flood risk assessment
Groundwater levels
Erosion concerns

6. Topography

Land shape and features:

Elevation and slope
Sun exposure patterns
Microclimates
Access routes

7. Vegetation

Existing plant life:

Current vegetation
Native species
Invasive plants
Biodiversity goals

8. Expertise

Team and skills:

Available skills
Team resources
Learning needs
External support

Configuration Strategy

Recommended approach:

Start simple: Fill in what you know with basic information
Use AI research: Get help identifying what you don't know
Iterate and improve: Return to settings as you learn more
Focus on accuracy: Precise information leads to better AI recommendations

Step 4: Your First AI Research

Getting Started with AI Agents

Recommended First Steps

Start with TerraScope Agent: Get comprehensive site analysis
Ask broad questions first: "What should I know about this site for ecological design?"
Follow up with specifics: Based on initial analysis, dive deeper into specific topics
Use specialized agents: Move to Soil, Climate-Smart, or EcoGarden agents for focused help

Effective First Questions

Great First Questions

"I have a [size] site in [location] for [purpose]. What are the key factors I should consider?"
"What are the main challenges and opportunities for sustainable design at this location?"
"What climate and soil information do I need to gather for my project?"
"What native plants would thrive in this area for [specific goal]?"

Avoid These Initially

Extremely specific technical questions without context
Questions about advanced techniques before understanding basics
Multiple unrelated questions in a single conversation
Questions without providing your project information

Step 5: Interpreting AI Results

Understanding AI Recommendations

How to Process AI Insights

Read thoroughly: AI agents provide comprehensive, detailed responses
Take notes: Copy important recommendations to your project planning documents
Ask follow-up questions: Seek clarification on anything unclear
Cross-reference: Use multiple agents to get different perspectives
Update project settings: Add new information you've learned to your project configuration

Common First Insights

Typical first AI research sessions reveal:

Climate considerations: Temperature zones, frost dates, rainfall patterns
Soil requirements: What testing is needed, potential amendments
Site challenges: Drainage issues, exposure problems, access limitations
Opportunities: Favorable conditions, existing assets, synergies
Next steps: What information to gather, what to research further
Plant suggestions: Initial recommendations for your climate and goals

Step 6: Building on Your Foundation

Project Development Cycle

Iterative Improvement

Research → Learn: Use AI agents to understand your site and options
Learn → Update: Add new information to your project settings
Update → Research: Ask more specific questions with better context
Research → Plan: Develop concrete next steps and timelines
Plan → Implement: Take action on recommendations
Implement → Evaluate: Return to AI agents with results and new questions

Common Next Steps

After your initial setup and research, common next actions include:

Site testing: Soil tests, water quality analysis, sun exposure mapping
Detailed planning: Create specific planting plans and timelines
Resource gathering: Identify suppliers, tools, and materials needed
Permit research: Investigate local regulations and requirements
Team building: Engage others who will help with implementation
Phase planning: Break large projects into manageable phases

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Project Creation Problems

If you can't create a project:

Check credits: Ensure you have project credits available
Verify location: Make sure you've selected a precise location on the map
Complete required fields: All mandatory information must be filled
Try a different browser: Sometimes browser issues affect functionality
Contact support: We're here to help if technical issues persist

AI Research Issues

If AI agents aren't helpful:

Provide more context: Include project type, location, and specific goals
Be more specific: Ask focused questions rather than extremely broad ones
Complete project settings: More site information leads to better recommendations
Try different agents: Each has specialized knowledge areas
Ask follow-up questions: Build on initial responses with clarifying questions

Success Tips from Experienced Users

Pro Tips for Project Success

Document everything: Keep notes on AI insights, decisions, and lessons learned
Start small and expand: Better to succeed with a smaller initial scope
Engage with community: Share your project and learn from others
Plan for maintenance: Consider long-term care from the beginning
Be patient: Ecological projects develop over months and years
Stay flexible: Be ready to adapt based on what you learn
Celebrate milestones: Acknowledge progress and achievements

Remember

Creating your first ecological design project is a learning journey. Every successful project starts with a single step, and our AI agents and support team are here to guide you every step of the way. Don't aim for perfection immediately - focus on getting started and improving as you learn!