IIT Winter Newsletter - New Data Tools for IIT!
IIT has some exciting new Data Tools we are using! Little Green Light, a membership database and Landscape, a land management program.
Exploring Little Green Light with Kizzi Barton
An essential part of IIT's fundraising efforts involves tracking donations and donor information. For nearly 20 years, the trust relied on Giftworks, a database commonly used by many charitable organizations. However, in October 2024, we made a significant shift to a new, cloud-based database: Little Green Light. The program had been on our radar for several years and we had heard from other landtrusts that made the switch and were very enthusiastic about LGL. Key factors in our decision included waning customer support from Giftworks on what was a bulky, difficult-to-navigate software, and the significant price difference. To ensure a smooth transition, we brought in an external consultant to manage the data migration and provide staff training.
So far, we’ve been thrilled with the switch! The new system has offered deeper insights into donation levels and trends, is far more intuitive, and provides the ability to access information remotely—a feature that has proven to be incredibly useful.
Exploring Landscape with Dan Tutor
When the weather has been especially bitter, and the trails are in good shape, I’ve been working with the new Landscape Conservation software Chloe discovered at the 2024 Land Trust Alliance Rally. It is proving to be incredibly useful in a variety of ways, from mapping trails to project management. We are looking forward to testing out the programs ability to aid in conservation easement monitoring. The software includes a mobile app specifically to be used by conservation easement monitors. It allows a monitor to fill out the reporting form, take photos and locate them on a property map using GPS, then submit the report to the office all at the same time, from their smart phone. This is a big improvement from the current method of filling out a paper report, taking photos with a smart phone or camera, and marking the approximate location and direction the photo was taken on a paper map before delivering it to the office along with emailing in photos.
I’ve so far mapped the boundaries of the preserves, and now I’m working to map trails by GPS, adding bridges and points of interest, and marking current and future projects. The software also can keep track of recurring and one-time tasks, site visits, along with many more functions, enabling more efficient project and time management.