Walia Special Edition on the Bale Mountains (2011) - Zoologische ...

the flattery doesn’t end there: donors go weak in the knees to see progress reports with interesting
analyses and their logos pasted on it. Showing actions and promising developments of money well
spent is the easiest way into a benefactor’s pockets. Reporting also provides an important feedback
loop; measuring, analyzing, making a decision, taking action, and re-measuring. Feedback loops
are also a good way of cleaning your data. If you are constantly using your data and querying it, you
will be verifying it as you proceed.
Establishing reporting schedules and outlines greatly assists in kick starting a database into
action. For instance, having a simple one page monthly report from the ecology department means
that by the end of each month the rainfall data must be entered. A more detailed quarterly report
ensures that trends are analyzed, summary statistics are calculated, and activities are prioritized.
In the annual report, threats are highlighted based on the information collected, future actions are
recommended, and a budget is proposed. Insisting on reports has the added benefit that people learn
how to maintain the data and have the opportunity to review their work.
Sometimes people lose interest in collecting or summarizing data, especially if it is tedious.
Often the best incentives are individual recognition for outstanding work. Everyone enjoys praise
particularly when they have gone an extra mile. And chances are, people will be willing to go
the extra mile again if their efforts have been recognized. Small useful gifts such as rechargeable
torches, leathermans, thermos flasks, or solar panels for top rangers provide a sense of pride and
achievement. It also builds commitment and a feeling of reciprocity.
Here are some simple ideas that get information flowing: (1) Compile a searchable list of
publications in a reference managing software package (such as EndNote or Reference Manager)
that pertain to the park. Put it onto a CD along with the digital copies of the articles, books, progress
reports, and gray literature for distribution. This is the easiest way to provide people with information.
(2) Compile GIS base layer information on a CD for distribution to collaborators. The CD can be
distributed for free, or in exchange for additional information. Trading is a great way of increasing
your data pool. (3) Design a website with contacts of collaborators, sources of information, free
downloads, training materials and donor sites (for example look at www.serengetidata.org).
Conclusion
Designing and implementing a database can be a daunting task, however the best databases are the
ones that have the capacity to grow. Clearly, compiling a large comprehensive database is far too
much for any one person to do and therefore collaboration is imperative. Starting simply with the
contacts of collaborators and stakeholders is probably the best launching point. Data swapping,
linking databases, and historical data (particularly in the form of photos and field notes) can be an
excellent way to add to a database with minimal effort, and it also encourages support and awareness.
The database should grow to fill its requirements, and should be closely linked to the threats facing
the park, as well as its objectives outlined in the General Management Plan. Collecting additional
data should be determined primarily by the level of detail required to answer the questions, the
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