In 2019, water researcher Sukhmani Mantel created a map of rivers in southern Africa.
It went viral.
Two years on, people still download it and use it.
In fact, her survey showed that most people found the map so well drawn, coloured, and laid out that it opened their eyes to the vastness and beauty of southern Africa's rivers. Instead of mere squiggles on a map, people began thinking of rivers as living, breathing structures, connected with one another.
Sukhmani hopes to use this public interest to raise awareness around conversation, pollution and biodiversity in the rivers of southern Africa.
It seems to be working - for example, she created a map - based on user requests - that shows the natural state of rivers and how seasons and human activities change it.
Sukhmani's river map is using public engagement in science to build bridges between governments, citizens and scientists to raise environmental awareness.
Original article:
Maps can bridge gaps between citizens, scientists and policymakers