Back country data hunting

A passion for the outdoors, built in the Marlborough Sounds and developed through university study, could revolutionise data gathering in the outdoors. Amy Gibbs is building an information bridge between hunters, fishers, conservationists and scientists via an outdoors wildlife tracking and reporting app called WildMark.

With the app build now being two months in and almost ready for a trial web app launch to registered, interested, outdoorsy Kiwis, she’s hoping to start early trials this September.

“I saw the gap in the market and decided to try use my personal experiences and passions, using the love and perceptiveness of hunters and fishers out in the back country to benefit science and conservation efforts”, said Amy, while driving between Mount Hutt and Christchurch after a week in the high country.

“And I know how outdoors people are secretive about their spots, so while there is GPS tracking for reporting in the app it won’t give away any secret spots as it all gets aggregated into the wider region’s statistics with limited access for researchers.

“I was born and raised in Marlborough and spent many summers down the Sounds, and used to tour the country through showjumping which led me into studying animal science at Massey University.

“It’s a win/win scenario as recreational users are becoming smarter in their environment having their own personal smart diary and records, understanding their surroundings more and what’s influencing their catches & sightings movements, as well as the environmental & ecological data helping with the science & conservation purposes of WildMark.

And while juggling her own outdoor adventures and working 12-hour shifts through harvest at Spy Valley Wines, Amy’s app creation process needs those out there doing it to trial the first build on a web app.

“WildMark’s app development needs people to be out there and testing it, so we can see the data flow through.

“By having the monitoring and reporting of wildlife available to everyone in their pockets, it allows smarter, accurate decision making for our environment.”

Register your interest for the beta web app at www.wildmark.co.nz.