Counter-mapping for conservation: Digital conservation atlas case study

Counter-Mapping seeks to empower communities to overturn the power dynamics of mapping by sharing a visual representation of space in a way that is accessible to the public and that presents utility to community conservation goals. Within a participatory action framework in partnership with the Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) Conservation Initiative and local First Nations and communities, I built a web-accessible spatial mapping ‘hub’ for the Peace River Break region of BC. Through interviews with conservationists, First Nations and other community members, I examined the pitfalls and barriers communities in the Peace region face with mapping and mapping technology for conservation, including the case study atlas itself. A GIS-facilitated conservation strategy can address and integrate multiple voices, views understanding of local conservation desires in the context of larger conservation visions such as Y2Y, but building a tool and engaging communities to use it pose very different, unique, challenges.