This presentation described my master's thesis project to create and test a wikimap to capture local landscape values in the Bad River Watershed. The application, scheduled for beta release in September, will initially be monitored with interaction logging tools assess which interactions supported by the wikimap are most frequently applied by its users, revealing participation patterns that will be useful for the future design and development of similar wikimaps. A final focus group study will evaluate the impact of the wikimap on public discourse surrounding land use and natural resource management in the watershed.

1. Mapmaking for Change
Wikimapping the Bad River
Watershed
Carl Sack
UW-Madison Geography Department

2. Problem
How can online maps empower the views of local
people in decisions regarding land use policy and
natural resource development?

3. Online Participatory Mapping
From Beverly et. al. 2008 (Canadian Journal of Forestry Research)

5. Case Study
The Bad River Watershed:
1,061 Square Miles
Mix of forest, wetlands,
agriculture
Bad River Indian
Reservation (Ojibwe)
2010-2012 Mining
Proposal
Variety of landscape
values

6. Design & Development
User-Centered Design
After Robinson et al. (2005)

7. Design & Development
Stakeholder themes:
Uses for science, information, narrative
Stakeholder support and engagement
Local outreach vital
Concerns: moderation, private
information control
UCD Stages:

8. Design and Development
Web application construction
UCD Stages:

9. Deployment
Wikimap Demo
Behind the Scenes
UCD Stages:

10. Evaluation
Focus groups:
Did the wikimap have a public impact on
landscape values perception?
True Value by Ann Singsaas

11. Acknowledgements
Funding and support:
Cartography Specialty Group
Special thanks to
Dr. Robert E. Roth