Week 7 - Green Mapping for Metchosin

General maps typically assist in Direction, while green maps enable communities to show off their assets. Highlands has acquired a green map already. Metchosin wants their own version. Green maps are artistic representations of communities including; historical, cultural, agricultural and geographical features. Together, Metchosin residents, es Elaine Limbrick (West Shore Arts Council) and Ken Josephson from UVic (Geography Dept.) discussed green mapping. Josephson has help many communities throughout Greater Victoria such as the Highlands acquire green mapping. "Green Maps are an artists version of the community," Josephson.

Green maps include; paintings, drawings and photographs of a community. Icons are placed on the maps to identify anything from shopping facilities to animal habitats. Icons in Metchosin could also represent; surf smelts and Pacific sand lance breeds for people seeking beaches where the fish spawn. Elaine is not only trying to spark Mechosin to begin green mapping but is also trying to convince Colwood and View Royal as well. It is important to note that the Highlands green map was funded by a $15,000 Union of British Columbia Municipalities grant.

Source: Gold Stream News Gazette, Green Mapping Eyed for Metchosin, by Charla Huber, Friday 13, 2009.

I think green mapping could lead to awareness within one's own community about animals and their habitats. Also bring awareness to unique trails, sites and plant species that may be unique and need protection. What better way get a community aware about their own plant and animal species than providing a map. I downside I can see is the disturbance of sensitive areas. Meaning know that more people know where a certain breeding or sensitive species is may cause damage with so many people wanting to visit and now knowing where on a map to find what is desired.
Just a thought. But perhaps more thought should go into what is allowed to be map to avoid such problems in the future.

Green Collar