Clean Lakes Alliance: How Mobile Data Collection Supports Environmental Action
Environmental protection efforts increasingly rely on smart technology to support data-driven decisions. The Clean Lakes Alliance, a non profit organisation based in Wisconsin, USA, is a shining example of how digital tools can transform public engagement and environmental research. Using the NestForms mobile data collection app, Clean Lakes Alliance was able to reach lake users directly, capturing valuable insights through in-person interviews and structured field surveys.
This article explores how Clean Lakes Alliance used NestForms to streamline data collection, increase efficiency, and produce high-quality results in support of freshwater conservation.
Who Are Clean Lakes Alliance?
Clean Lakes Alliance is a community-driven nonprofit focused on restoring and protecting the lakes, streams, and wetlands in the Yahara River Watershed. By working with local authorities, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals, the organisation champions lake health and public awareness.
Their work includes education campaigns, advocacy, and on-the-ground efforts that help safeguard water quality for future generations. A key part of their mission is understanding how people interact with lakes — a vital step in shaping future conservation strategies.
The Data Challenge: Capturing Human Interaction
To better understand how the public interacts with local lakes, Clean Lakes Alliance launched a large-scale effort to survey activity types such as swimming, boating, fishing, and more. Their aim was to gather qualitative and quantitative data that reflected public engagement, environmental conditions, and perceived water quality.
This type of work is often challenging:
- Multiple field researchers conducting face-to-face interviews across different sites
- Tracking high volumes of submissions
- Ensuring accurate data entry in the moment
- Maintaining consistency in survey structure
Traditional pen-and-paper forms introduced delays, errors, and extra admin overhead. The solution? A fully digital surveying app that worked seamlessly in the field.
NestForms in Action: Real-Time Environmental Surveys
The Clean Lakes Alliance team used NestForms to create a custom survey using form items like Single Answer, Dropdowns, and Multiple Answers. With the help of this mobile platform, their field teams were able to interview more than 1,500 lake users throughout the summer.
NestForms supported them in:
- Collecting uniform responses across multiple locations.
- Recording results directly within the mobile form app.
- Conducting offline surveys when out of signal range.
- Analysing trends quickly through the admin dashboard.
Because data was collected digitally, results were available instantly for analysis — saving time and improving accuracy.
"Your service helped facilitate the completion of over 1,500 face-to-face interviews and related data analysis."
— Paul Dearlove, Program Manager, Clean Lakes Alliance
Why NestForms Was a Good Fit
Clean Lakes Alliance benefited from several NestForms features that align with field-based research:
- Offline Survey App: Field researchers could collect data even in remote areas without internet access.
- Customisable Form Builder: The team built forms with dropdowns and multi-choice options tailored to their needs.
- Mobile Data Collection App: The platform was accessible across devices, ensuring the majority of survey team members can participate.
- Simple Interface: Volunteers and part-time staff with minimal training could start using the app almost immediately.
Clean Data for Clean Lakes
By collecting consistent, structured responses, Clean Lakes Alliance gained valuable insight into how the public perceives their surrounding water quality — and which activities were most common. This would then enable them to:
- Better inform local agencies about lake usage.
- Support advocacy efforts with real data.
- Secure funding with evidence of community engagement.
- Identify areas of concern in real time.
This kind of focused data helped fuel their mission of improving and protecting freshwater resources across the watershed.
Strong Customer Support, Stronger Results
Another part of the Clean Lakes Alliance experience was the quality of support they received from NestForms. According to their team:
"Whenever we had questions or concerns, your customer service was excellent."
Fast, responsive assistance ensured the survey process was smooth — even for new users.
Final Thoughts
The success of the Clean Lakes Alliance summer survey demonstrates how the right field management system can help nonprofits and community groups drive meaningful environmental impact. NestForms empowered their team to:
- Conduct real-time interviews
- Collect accurate field data
- Analyse responses quickly
- Operate smoothly, even when offline
Whether you're tracking human activity, monitoring wildlife, or recording inspection checklists, NestForms offers a flexible, powerful solution that adapts to your needs.
Ready to see how NestForms can help your project? You can start your free 14-day trial and explore how easy it is to build your own forms, collect data, and make your fieldwork count.
We also offer a Training Demo available for free if you have questions when setting up.
