The core ingredient for LandWatch® is data. But what exactly does LandWatch “watch”? Just as a security guard watches people, cars, behavior, and movement, Terradex watches (monitors) data continuously. The data we monitor includes land-use records, environmental permits, regulatory notices, property transfers, and other sources that reveal changes and activities that could affect institutional controls, land use restrictions, or otherwise pose compliance or environmental risks at individual properties or other defined areas of interest.
Because it serves as the foundation of LandWatch, the data we rely on must be accurate, relevant, comprehensive, and collected continuously to avoid gaps. This data collection process requires a clear understanding of what matters for compliance and redevelopment, and the persistence to track it down.
Accessing the various data sources we need requires both technical and substantive know-how. Much of the data we depend on cannot be easily found on commercial platforms and, instead, involves deep reaches into public sources. While some datasets can be downloaded directly, many others require Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Each agency has its own procedure, sometimes requiring parcel-level detail, and there is no standard form to follow. Other sources must be accessed through APIs or retrieved using custom code.
During the LandWatch site setup process, the Terradex team identifies the specific data types needed for each site and the sources that can provide them. We then implement operational procedures to ensure a consistent and current data supply, typically aligned with each data source’s refresh frequency, usually ranging from daily to monthly.
Creating this continuous flow of data presents challenges. New information needs to arrive quickly, completely, and without interruption. Think of it like tracking the changing price of a flight to New York each day, rather than a one-time flight search. However, very little of the data we use is automatically “pushed” to us through established delivery systems. Instead, most follow a “pull” model, meaning the Terradex team must actively initiate each collection cycle, submitting FOIA requests or taking other steps to retrieve the data.
Herein lies the value of LandWatch. The complexity of this process, which involves tracking dozens of sources that update at different intervals and in various formats, makes automation and consistency critical. Maintaining this flow of timely, verified data allows LandWatch to alert clients the moment a new risk or regulatory change appears, often long before it becomes an issue on the ground.
Our operational systems sustain that flow. LandWatch configures each site with procedures that match the cadence of its data sources, ensuring that updates are captured, processed, and delivered with minimal delay. With this foundation in place, LandWatch continuously monitors for changes that signal potential risks or compliance concerns, helping clients stay informed and ready to act.
****
To learn more about the different types of data we monitor, visit our Toolbox page or Request a Demo to see how Terradex LandWatch can support your projects.