Unfortunately, there are numerous conservation Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) — particularly those in remote, developing countries — who have GIS equipment yet have had inadequate training to maximize the benefits of this technology… or, they need both the equipment and training to do so. Their meaningful use of computer spatial technologies (GIS) is critical to the collection and analysis of data that will enable people, communities, governments to make solid, informed decisions about resource use and other environmental and conservation issues.

We plan to successfully empower NGO’s with a technology none could otherwise afford to acquire or learn, and help to unfold new areas of critical unmet need. The key unmet need is to be able to inject meaning, significance and substance into the scientific and technology work an NGO does.

While “dumb” maps sufficed 10 years ago to bring victory to a conservation battle, increasing opposition and resources conflict requires that NGO’s be able to present the best science and most defensible techniques and methods. The complexity of ecological problems in fact demands the clarity and simplicity of maps in order to present a conservation message that voters and decision-makers can act upon.