Phase III Preview: Information Management and Analysis Project

Good information is the foundation of effective decision-making. BCTF works to collect and share information on bushmeat and wildlife trade with key decision makers in government, industry and NGOs. We are particularly interested in best practices, policies and solutions for mitigating wildlife trade. The Information Management and Analysis Project (IMAP) was created to be a central repository of information and a tool for analyzing African bushmeat hunting and Asian wildlife trade causes and solutions.

The IMAP incorporates three primary components:

1. A digital library that has catalogued more than 1700 peer review publications, bushmeat related projects, reporters and media publications
2. An online customized map server for locating and mapping information on protected areas, roads, logging concessions, human settlements and wildlife distribution in Central Africa
3. An interactive map that allows a spatial search of our bushmeat projects database.

To upgrade the existing IMAP and to improve the user experience with it, we have moved our databases and website to a new system hosted by Conservation International to be launched very soon.

We will soon unveil new IMAP features including:

• A Google Maps interface for the Bushmeat MapServer, which will allow for more rapid updates of data and a more user-friendly interface.
• Online data entry forms for peer review publications, media, reports and projects, which will allow colleagues around the world to share their information with our entire network.
• A new Asia Wildlife Trade IMAP, which will allow users to access maps, data, publications and projects addressing wildlife trade in Asia.
• Summary analysis of bushmeat related projects, data and trends, which will provide members and key decision makers with critical information regarding the state of the bushmeat issue.
• Regular updates to members and partners of IMAP highlights and developments on the ground.

The Information Management Coordinator will lead the development and execution of the BCTF website and IMAP with support from the Director and Assistant Director.