The Mona GeoInformatics Institute (MGI) at The University of the West Indies has won the prestigious Google Geo for Good Impact Award for 2023/2024. This international award is as a result of MGI's outstanding work on the project Implementation of Eco-System Adaptation Measures for Kingston Harbour Communities (KHEAM). MGI has been acknowledged for its innovative use of geospatial tools to generate impactful environmental and socioeconomic outcomes for marginalised communities around the Kingston Harbour.

MGI's Executive Director, Mr. Luke Buchanan, reacted by describing the award as a humbling and gratifying experience. He acknowledged the dedication and hard work of the entire MGI team, whose tireless efforts had been instrumental in achieving this recognition. He said the award was  timely,  given Small Island Developing States double exposure to emerging environmental and socioeconomic shocks, while reaffirmig MGI’s commitment to advancing geospatial science to manage these threats across the Caribbean region.

The KHEAM Project was funded by the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), and co-financed by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety through KfW. The MGI partnered with The Centre for Marine Sciences (CMS), The GraceKennedy Foundation (GKF) and Newer Worlds Ltd (UK) to successfully implement the KHEAM Project. The project was one of 11 selected from more than 100 applications from organisations and institutions across the Caribbean region.

The main objectives of the KHEAM Project were to rehabilitate and restore mangrove habitats in the Kingston Harbour, incorporate social and economic resilience to climate change, through three integrated work-stream components including:

• Restoration and rehabilitation of mangrove habitats to reduce climate risks.
• Reduce land-based sources of pollution that have contributed to degradation of marine and coastal zone ecosystems.
• Education and engagement of coastal communities and diversifying & supplementing their livelihoods.

The award recognises MGI's commitment to producing positive and tangible environmental solutions, and its focus on carbon mitigation, climate adaptation, and nature conservation through the use of Google mapping tools such as Google Earth, Google Earth Engine, My Maps and Maps Platform API.  It is symbolic of MGI's commitment to good project practices, its ability to leverage state-of-the art scientific tools for the greater good, and its ability to impact human lives positively.

MGI and The UWI, thank Google (Alphabet Inc.) and the Google Earth Outreach Programme for this very important award.           

Map of the mangrove monitoring sites in the Kingston Harbour, under the KHEAM Project.