Sarah Wegmueller
Founder and Owner
How We Operate
We strive to provide affordable access to GIS and remote sensing services. We keep our prices affordable by keeping our overhead low. We use open-source analysis tools and custom-write computer code as needed for projects. We look to freely available data and imagery to support projects whenever possible. When freely available data isn’t available, we will discuss alternatives with you and make suggestions on how to keep costs down.
We recognize that sometimes all that is needed is somebody who “knows the ropes” to pull imagery and do the basic analysis. Can you learn to do some of this yourself? Yes. Is it worth your time to learn the basics for a project you may only do once? Maybe not. Like hiring a plumber or mechanic, sometimes its just simpler (and cheaper!) to let an expert do the job for you.
At this time, we do NOT use AI tools. We do utilize machine learning techniques such as gradient boosting machines or neural networks when needed, but often these advanced techniques are overkill for basic projects, costing the customer more than what they are worth. We can and have created quality products without the need for fancy (and sometimes overrated) techniques. As the technology with AI continues to develop, we may incorporate it in the future if there is value in it for our customers.
Our Journey
“Silva” from Latin meaning “forest or woods”, and “cart” from ancient Greek referring to map making.
Silvacart was originally founded in 2021 by Sarah Wegmueller, a retired veteran of the U.S. Navy with a M.S. in Forest Pathology and PhD in remote sensing. Silvacart was intended to help ecology professionals, particularly those in forestry, of all organizational sizes and budgets. It provided maps for events such as natural disaster damage, insect defoliation severity, and fire extent.
Silvacart was briefly paused between late 2023 and early 2025 while Sarah worked as a remote sensing analyst for the USDA Forest Service. Although she loved her job, changes in the federal government led her back to Silvacart. The LLC was reformed with renewed vigor and valuable experience gained from her time in the Forest Service.
Silvacart is a veteran and woman-owned business.