Story Maps and Terraso

by | Terraso for Sustainable Economies

A mangrove swamp
Terraso is one of Tech Matters’ two main social enterprises. Launching earlier in 2023, Terraso is building tools for smallholders and local leaders around the world. What’s different about us is that we see these people as our primary users: this is a huge but neglected group of people who need better technology to survive, and hopefully thrive, in the face of a changing world.

Our users told us about the importance of storytelling, and that led to one of Terraso’s hottest features: Story Maps. Communities on the ground are already using it to weave impactful descriptions of their efforts to tackle various land and climate challenges head-on. Story maps breathe life into crucial issues by showcasing the connections between activities across different locations. The ease of blending of text, images, and video adds additional layers of depth and understanding to the tales being told. The outcome? A compelling narrative that connects specific elements of the story with corresponding locations on the map, allowing the viewer to step into the shoes of these communities and understand – or even experience – the strategic solutions being developed.

Story maps can inform, persuade, and unite audiences toward a shared vision. Whether it’s rallying support within the local community, recommending a plan of action to government officials and policymakers, inspiring funders, or capturing the attention of the wider world, story maps serve as powerful catalysts for change in communities around the world.

Guyana’s the mud that makes us

Conservation International’s team in Guyana used the story map below to show how human settlement and structures changed coastal sedimentation patterns, increasing flooding and erosion. They also used the story map to illustrate their recommended strategy to combat these issues by planting mangrove forests, resulting in not only a beautiful coastline but also greater climate resilience. Plant mangroves, not concrete!

ALDEA

Fundación ALDEA used a story map to highlight fraudulent land practices in Ecuador. These practices resulted in land being illegally taken from indigenous and local farmers in the fertile and biodiverse Choco Andino region of Ecuador and being deforested for quick profits.

Seeking water in Amboseli

A young warrior from a Maasai Village in southern Kenya developed a story map to depict the devastating effects of global warming and prolonged drought on their community and how villagers are forced to seek other ways to sustain their livelihood because the land no longer supports their traditional way of life.

We are thrilled to see how communities are using story maps as catalysts for change.

With their compelling narratives and visual appeal, story maps pave the way for collaboration, sparking meaningful conversations and driving collective action toward a better future for all.

To explore how Terraso’s story maps and other tools can help you develop solutions to climate change realities in your community, see the links below: