Redengine Inc: Government & Public Sector Clients: Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute

Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute

The Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI) is a monitoring body that provides information on the state of Alberta's biodiversity in an effort toward the responsible management of Alberta's abundant natural resources and environment. ABMI is an agency comprised of Government of Alberta, environmental and non-governmental agencies, industries of forestry, energy and agriculture as well as Provincial research organizations. Its mandate is to ensure that Albertans continue to preserve the rich natural heritage and a support a healthy ecosystem. In so doing, they are charged to provide timely and accurate information and collaborate with Albertans and stakeholders alike so that the environment can continue to serve our economy, provide recreation opportunities and contribute to tourism and industry.

Given their mandate to collect and provide data to their diverse audience, ABMI was looking for a well organized, appealing and highly functional solution would allow key stakeholders to collaborate on tracking of data as it pertains to forestry, natural resources and conservation. Collaboration and collection of abiotic and biotic data using field and remote sensing protocols required a powerful database that could compile raw data and, using specific algorithms, enable the ABMI to track and forecast trends, produce reports and proactively support a healthy ecosystem and species conservation.

In an effort to meet the demands of their diverse audiences and to contribute to the collaborative spirit necessary in acting as guardians of Alberta's resources, our work with the ABMI initially involved strategic planning, focus group sessions, thoughtful information architecture, card sorting and user testing to confirm user acceptance and understanding. As their needs evolved and the requirement for collaboration among stakeholders became fundamental, AMBI looked to us again to develop and integrate some custom GIS/mapping features and database integration and warehousing as well as developing predictive algorithms in an effort to further their ability to communicate and garner information fundamental to tracking and monitoring Provincial resources, infestations and conservation.

The AMBI web portal is well equipped and functional and promotes stakeholder collaboration and customer self service. The solution is scalable and hosts a large document repository and features such as: interactive GIS/mapping features; taxonomic species explorer; raw and compiled data downloads with customized data analytics features, and; an extensive glossary. In turn, ABMI is well equipped to continue their work as guardians of Alberta's resources and act proactively with key stakeholders to that end and continue to provide useful information on the state of Alberta's biodiversity toward responsible management of our environment.

Case Studies

Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute