Kristen Hazard's unique set of skills, commitment to preserving the environment, and sheer grit, have helped her build Wildnote's innovative data collection, management and environmental compliance reporting software. Not only is her software cutting-edge, but also her confidence in fostering a company predominantly lead by women.
Success to date has been hard-won. While Hazard imagined the biggest challenge would be developing her app technology, it has in fact been educating potential clients about the benefits of her groundbreaking product. Environmental consultants and field biologists have largely proven to be late adopters of technology, despite the shortcomings of old-school pen and paper surveys.
However, some evangelical early adopters were quick to appreciate how using the app makes environmental compliance projects 40%—80% more efficient and, therefore, much more profitable. They spread the word, paving the way for an impressive set of statistics over the past five years:
- 27,716 environmental reports submitted
- 143,845 survey photos uploaded
- 100,239 field data collection survey forms submitted
Optimizing Environmental Data Management Potential
But spreading the Wildnote message was going to take longer than originally envisaged. Hazard gradually realized that the potential of Wildnote’s environmental data management software could only be achieved with the support of VC investment. Her realization coincided with an opportunity to take part in an accelerator program with the Heritage Group, powered by Techstars.
The Techstars accelerator program was a pivotal experience that helped to shape the direction of the business, and led directly to Seed Round funding from Entrada Ventures and Heritage Group Ventures.
environmental compliance, field data collection app, Kristen Hazard, awards and recognition, media
We really see our platform as a way to help the regulated, the regulators and the community; all parties can meet their respective goals to protect the environment.
Swamp School class engaged in field training
The Swamp School
Based in Angier, North Carolina, the Swamp School offers post-secondary/college classes and webinars in wetland assessment, delineation and design, and other topics relating to the management of wetlands. The classes are designed to help environmental professionals enhance their skills and expand their business. Wildnote will be included in all of the Swamp School’s wetland delineation courses, whether offered in the classroom, online or on-demand sessions.
Automated Forms with Professional Wetland Training
The Swamp School has the ability to provide the wetland and IT technical support that students need to successfully use technology to collect data and report on wetland delineations. Marc pointed out that many of the issues with the wetland delineation data collection software products arise not from an inability to use the software but from a fundamental misunderstanding of what data needs to be collected, how, and why. By combining the wetland training with the software training, students will seamlessly integrate digital technology into their delineation projects. The newly-formed partnership was immediately put to use.
Senior PWS and Swamp School Founder, Marc Seelinger, is excited about the changes ahead.
“The Swamp School is committed to providing a cutting-edge education for modern wetland scientists, who expect technology solutions to better their work. Wildnote elevates our curriculum, making the Swamp School the only wetland training program in the U.S. to offer a mobile technology component. We look forward to working with Wildnote to help our students perform more accurate and reliable delineations and to advance the state of the art in wetland evaluation technology.”
- Marc Seelinger
Senior PWS and Swamp School Founder, Marc Seelinger, is excited about the changes ahead.
“The Swamp School is committed to providing a cutting-edge education for modern wetland scientists, who expect technology solutions to better their work. Wildnote elevates our curriculum, making the Swamp School the only wetland training program in the U.S. to offer a mobile technology component. We look forward to working with Wildnote to help our students perform more accurate and reliable delineations and to advance the state of the art in wetland evaluation technology.”
- Marc Seelinger
While Wildnote is committed to making the best field data collection app and expanding this market’s horizons, its strong environmental mission and committed staff have also served to guide the business.
What resonates most strongly for Kristen is that the environmental data collected with the app, and the story it reveals, is more reliable, accessible, and most importantly, actionable. “We really see our platform as a way to help the regulated, the regulators and the community; all parties can meet their respective goals to protect the environment.”
Note: Read John Greathouse's engaging full interview with Wildnote CEO Kristen Hazard on Forbes.com.
Download a PDF version of this article: Kristen Hazard interview with John Greathouse, Forbes
Copyright – John Greathouse All rights reserved
Image credit: Vanessa Plakias, SLO LIFE Magazine
Senior PWS and Swamp School Founder, Marc Seelinger, is excited about the changes ahead.
“The Swamp School is committed to providing a cutting-edge education for modern wetland scientists, who expect technology solutions to better their work. Wildnote elevates our curriculum, making the Swamp School the only wetland training program in the U.S. to offer a mobile technology component. We look forward to working with Wildnote to help our students perform more accurate and reliable delineations and to advance the state of the art in wetland evaluation technology.”
- Marc Seelinger
Senior PWS and Swamp School Founder, Marc Seelinger, is excited about the changes ahead.
“The Swamp School is committed to providing a cutting-edge education for modern wetland scientists, who expect technology solutions to better their work. Wildnote elevates our curriculum, making the Swamp School the only wetland training program in the U.S. to offer a mobile technology component. We look forward to working with Wildnote to help our students perform more accurate and reliable delineations and to advance the state of the art in wetland evaluation technology.”
- Marc Seelinger
The Wildnote process integrates and streamlines data from the field to final report
Choosing Wildnote for a Wetland Technology Partner
Seelinger spent years looking for the right technology to integrate into the curriculum. He said he chose Wildnote because it is a complete platform that supports the entire process of wetland data collection, management, and reporting.
Swamp School class engaged in field training
The Swamp School
Based in Angier, North Carolina, the Swamp School offers post-secondary/college classes and webinars in wetland assessment, delineation and design, and other topics relating to the management of wetlands. The classes are designed to help environmental professionals enhance their skills and expand their business. Wildnote will be included in all of the Swamp School’s wetland delineation courses, whether offered in the classroom, online or on-demand sessions.
Automated Forms with Professional Wetland Training
The Swamp School has the ability to provide the wetland and IT technical support that students need to successfully use technology to collect data and report on wetland delineations. Marc pointed out that many of the issues with the wetland delineation data collection software products arise not from an inability to use the software but from a fundamental misunderstanding of what data needs to be collected, how, and why. By combining the wetland training with the software training, students will seamlessly integrate digital technology into their delineation projects. The newly-formed partnership was immediately put to use.
Senior PWS and Swamp School Founder, Marc Seelinger, is excited about the changes ahead.
“The Swamp School is committed to providing a cutting-edge education for modern wetland scientists, who expect technology solutions to better their work. Wildnote elevates our curriculum, making the Swamp School the only wetland training program in the U.S. to offer a mobile technology component. We look forward to working with Wildnote to help our students perform more accurate and reliable delineations and to advance the state of the art in wetland evaluation technology.”
- Marc Seelinger
Senior PWS and Swamp School Founder, Marc Seelinger, is excited about the changes ahead.
“The Swamp School is committed to providing a cutting-edge education for modern wetland scientists, who expect technology solutions to better their work. Wildnote elevates our curriculum, making the Swamp School the only wetland training program in the U.S. to offer a mobile technology component. We look forward to working with Wildnote to help our students perform more accurate and reliable delineations and to advance the state of the art in wetland evaluation technology.”
- Marc Seelinger
The Wildnote process integrates and streamlines data from the field to final report
Choosing Wildnote for a Wetland Technology Partner
Seelinger spent years looking for the right technology to integrate into the curriculum. He said he chose Wildnote because it is a complete platform that supports the entire process of wetland data collection, management, and reporting.
Senior PWS and Swamp School Founder, Marc Seelinger, is excited about the changes ahead.
“The Swamp School is committed to providing a cutting-edge education for modern wetland scientists, who expect technology solutions to better their work. Wildnote elevates our curriculum, making the Swamp School the only wetland training program in the U.S. to offer a mobile technology component. We look forward to working with Wildnote to help our students perform more accurate and reliable delineations and to advance the state of the art in wetland evaluation technology.”
- Marc Seelinger
Senior PWS and Swamp School Founder, Marc Seelinger, is excited about the changes ahead.
“The Swamp School is committed to providing a cutting-edge education for modern wetland scientists, who expect technology solutions to better their work. Wildnote elevates our curriculum, making the Swamp School the only wetland training program in the U.S. to offer a mobile technology component. We look forward to working with Wildnote to help our students perform more accurate and reliable delineations and to advance the state of the art in wetland evaluation technology.”
- Marc Seelinger
The Wildnote process integrates and streamlines data from the field to final report
Choosing Wildnote for a Wetland Technology Partner
Seelinger spent years looking for the right technology to integrate into the curriculum. He said he chose Wildnote because it is a complete platform that supports the entire process of wetland data collection, management, and reporting.
