GOLDIE COLLEGE, HIGH-SCHOOL, STUDENTS, AND GIS

Participatory GIS is central to the goals of this project. Although the efficacy of GIS is clear, critically minded social theorists have raised important issues concerning the epistemology of GIS and power relations associated with its use. It has been pointed out that if research is conducted without taking into consideration the social, political, and economic implications of the technology, certain kinds of knowledge are privileged over others, and that differentials exist in access to the GIS and information (Pickles 1995; Rundstrom 1995; Sheppard 1995). In light of these issues surrounding the use of GIS technology, this project will employ a public-participation GIS approach in which strategies will be developed to make spatial decision-making tools available and accessible to all those with a stake in official decisions (Nietschmann 1995). We intend to maintain a critical eye towards the implementation of GIS and monitor its effect on society.

The GIS-related research in this project will be conducted in tandem with local research assistants and high school students from Biulah and Goldie College schools. We have discussed this with WWF personnel and the Goldie College headmaster and they are very keen to participate. First, Roviana assistants are using their extensive traditional knowledge of the lagoon environment to help Matthew Lauer to precisely map the spatial features of the marine ecosystem. This has involved mapping current and past village locations, reefs, passages, and other marine habitats by using handheld GPS units. As a result, the complexity of the marine ecosystem in the Roviana/Vonavona Lagoons and its mosaic organization, along with the rich traditional knowledge of the area, can be mapped with great precision.

New funds provided by the Packard Foundation will be used to include Solomon Island high school and university students in this project. First, high-school students from the Biulah and Goldie provincial schools in Roviana will be recruited to participate in research and monitoring activities. Rapid ecological assessment techniques, shell monitoring, GIS, and other basic research skills will be taught to selected students. A number of students (over twenty) will participate at various times during the project. Their selection will be based on their academic records and interests. Matthew Lauer and the PI will conduct skill-development workshops to instruct participating students in GIS and monitoring. Further, we plan to make this information accessible to all regional high school students. We will donate a desktop computer loaded with all of our digitized base maps and GIS information to the Goldie College for students to access knowledge about local marine ecosystems. Other forms of local knowledge, including economic, social, historical, and political variables will also be accessible to students. We believe that the GIS database will be a valuable resource that will help empower the people of Roviana and Vonavona Lagoons. With mounting external pressure from industrial fishing fleets and multinational extractive industries such as logging, it is imperative that the current state of Roviana's reef and lagoon resources is documented. An accurate GIS created with Roviana knowledge of the environment will allow the Roviana people to defend themselves from further intrusions of their territory, and will help them to be more autonomous and to maintain control of their resources.

In addition, university students on their summer break will be encouraged to join the project. Personnel from WWF-Solomon Islands initially formulated this idea and they have shown great interest in this initiative (Seri Hite personal comm.). Furthermore, funds will be given to one or two Solomon Islands university students to conduct marine science and/or anthropological research at UCSB or other international institutions. These students will be required to participate in various aspects of the project to qualify for funding. This educational strategy will undoubtedly encourage local students to participate in conservation and engender among them a vision of sustainable resource use for the future.