This project is designed and developed by Ivonne Chaves to utilize technology in a way that will support sustainability, ecology, and tourism in Costa Rica. The technology is a website and mobile application that tracks habitat and wildlife in protected areas such as parks and engages rangers, scientists, students, environmental enthusiasts and eco-tourists as stewards.
The promotion of national parks and protected areas and related tourist activity is a significant part of the over $2 billion industry. Costa Rica has around 5% of the world's biodiversity. Protecting flora and the fauna is key to Costa Rica's future along with its economy.
With one click, e-cologic will allow users to report and prevent illegal activities that can harm flora and fauna. They can track species, habitat, animal behavior and any relevant dangers. Not only will this tool foster greater environmental awareness in the general population it can also be extremely useful for professionals who work in the fields of sustainability, eco-tourism, natural sciences, forestry, park management and environmental education.
Specific outcomes of this project include a projected 500 site clicks per week and 100 monthly downloads of the mobile app for Windows Phone. Through 4 workshops delivered to students and 10 workshops delivered to professionals on the use of the tool, e-cologic hopes to engage with over 200 people directly to teach them the value and function of the website and mobile tool. The long-term impact will be preserved biodiversity, greater environmental awareness and a stronger tourism industry.