Department’s Apple Watch App Wins National Information Technology Award

(L to R) Whitney Garner, NIC; Jesse King & Gene Deems, Dept. of Natural Resources; Greg Urban, Maryland State CIO; and Janet Grard, NIC

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ AccessDNR Apple Watch App earned the Innovation of the Year Award Wednesday night at the StateScoop 50 ceremony honoring tech initiatives, innovators, and up-and-comers in state and local governments. AccessDNR was one of more than 30 mobile apps and programs nominated within the award category.

“The AccessDNR app was developed to help Maryland’s citizens and visitors get outside and easily locate some of the wonderful recreational opportunities our state has to offer,” the department’s E-Government Manager Gene Deems said.  “We are so grateful to StateScoop for this recognition, and to our many partners who made this idea a reality. We hope to continue to develop and pioneer innovative tools to better serve our valued customers.”

When paired with the AccessDNR mobile app, the Apple Watch app helps users easily discover water trails, boat launches and fishing areas without having to rummage for a phone or paper map. The app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or online here.

The mobile and watch apps were developed at no charge for the department by NIC Maryland, a  collaborative public/private partnership that creates, maintains and markets the state’s website and associated services.

This year’s recipients were selected by members of the state and local government information technology community, in a nationwide voting process. The winners were honored with a reception on May 4 at the Hyatt Regency in Baltimore.