Inspiring New Ways of Reaching the Community
Photo courtesy of Carolina Raptor Center
The Challenge
For the past 25 years, Carolina Raptor Center (CRC) has been dedicated to environmental education and the conservation of raptors through public education, research and the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned raptors. CRC develops and delivers environmental education programs to approximately 30,000 students each year.
The Center wanted to use technology to enhance their educational programs and improve tracking of the birds in rehabilitation. They realized they would need to update some equipment and improve their data management, so they turned to NPower Charlotte Region.
The Solution
NPower Charlotte Region consultants first worked closely with CRC to identify the areas of technology infrastructure that needed upgrading in order to advance the organization's mission, streamline operations and minimize costs.
Then NPower Charlotte Region implemented a new wireless network of laptop computers, new peripherals (such as printers) and a new file server, which has enabled staff to be more productive and spend more time in raptor rehabilitation. New software enables them to share calendars, contacts and documents and perform periodic backups of their system. CRC staff members now have more control to better manage information and communication related to donors, volunteers and members.
The Impact
The operational efficiencies realized through CRC's new technology have lowered expenses and increased the Center's capacity to help more birds, extend their environmental research and create new programs for fundraising. Staff morale has also soared.
In addition, staff see new possibilities for using technology to improve the public's access to the Center, such as web cams that allow donors and visitors to watch the progress of rehabilitation or releases back to the wild. Future plans include mobile technology and distance learning to enhance educational programs, and satellite broadband internet access to improve bird tracking from transport through treatment.
"Without those daily worries about our administrative details, we have begun to reach our dreams and expand our vision for the Center," said CRC Executive Director Alan Barnhardt. "Our new computing capabilities are already paying off for our staff, our volunteers and our birds."
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