With new technologies revolutionizing data collection, wildlife researchers are becoming increasingly able to collect data at much higher volumes than ever before. Now we are facing the challenges of putting this information to use, bringing the science of big data into the conservation arena. With the help of machine learning tools, this area holds immense potential for conservation practices. The applications range from online trafficking alerts to species-specific early warning systems to efficient movement and biodiversity monitoring and beyond.
However, the process of building effective machine learning tools depends upon large amounts of standardized training data, and conservationists currently lack an established system for standardization. How to best develop such a system and incentivize data sharing are questions at the forefront of this work. There are currently multiple AI-based conservation initiatives, including Wildlife Insights and WildBook, that are pioneering applications on this front.
This group is the perfect place to ask all your AI-related questions, no matter your skill level or previous familiarity! You'll find resources, meet other members with similar questions and experts who can answer them, and engage in exciting collaborative opportunities together.
Just getting started with AI in conservation? Check out our introduction tutorial, How Do I Train My First Machine Learning Model? with Daniel Situnayake, and our Virtual Meetup on Big Data. If you're coming from the more technical side of AI/ML, Sara Beery runs an AI for Conservation slack channel that might be of interest. Message her for an invite.
Header Image: Dr Claire Burke / @CBurkeSci
Explore the Basics: AI
Understanding the possibilities for incorporating new technology into your work can feel overwhelming. With so many tools available, so many resources to keep up with, and so many innovative projects happening around the world and in our community, it's easy to lose sight of how and why these new technologies matter, and how they can be practically applied to your projects.
Machine learning has huge potential in conservation tech, and its applications are growing every day! But the tradeoff of that potential is a big learning curve - or so it seems to those starting out with this powerful tool!
To help you explore the potential of AI (and prepare for some of our upcoming AI-themed events!), we've compiled simple, key resources, conversations, and videos to highlight the possibilities:
Three Resources for Beginners:
- Everything I know about Machine Learning and Camera Traps, Dan Morris | Resource library, camera traps, machine learning
- Using Computer Vision to Protect Endangered Species, Kasim Rafiq | Machine learning, data analysis, big cats
- Resource: WildID | WildID
Three Forum Threads for Beginners:
- I made an open-source tool to help you sort camera trap images | Petar Gyurov, Camera Traps
- Batch / Automated Cloud Processing | Chris Nicolas, Acoustic Monitoring
- Looking for help with camera trapping for Jaguars: Software for species ID and database building | Carmina Gutierrez, AI for Conservation
Three Tutorials for Beginners:
- How do I get started using machine learning for my camera traps? | Sara Beery, Tech Tutors
- How do I train my first machine learning model? | Daniel Situnayake, Tech Tutors
- Big Data in Conservation | Dave Thau, Dan Morris, Sarah Davidson, Virtual Meetups
Want to know more about AI, or have your specific machine learning questions answered by experts in the WILDLABS community? Make sure you join the conversation in our AI for Conservation group!
- @valengsb
- | she / her
GIS specialist for Audubon Americas | Biologist with an emphasis on Conservation and Sustainable Development | Innovative approaches in the study and monitoring of biodiversity for possible, biodiverse, and just futures.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 18 Groups
Ecologist at Noe NGO, Project manager in restauration, rewilding, and citizen sciences program for grassland ecosystems and wild pollinators
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 7 Groups
- @capreolus
- | he/him
Capreolus e.U.
wildlife biologist with capreolus.at
- 1 Resources
- 78 Discussions
- 16 Groups
- @JakobWiren
- | He,him
Swedish soon-to-be graduate engineer in AI/ML and robotics. Writing my master thesis in using decision trees for anti-poaching in Limpopo, South Africa. Am passionate about conservation, AI and travelling. Help me find a way to help you!
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 13 Groups
- @fshort
- | He / Him
Boston University PhD Candidate, Biological Anthropology. Engaging in passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) of Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii), Bornean white-bearded gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis), and red leaf monkeys (Presbytis rubicunda)
- 0 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 2 Groups
- @Gabonia
- | He/him
GABriel ONIfade A. (GABONIA / mrGab), is an educator, a CS and AI advocate, a Data Engineer, an AI Engineer, an Entrepreneur, and curriculum developer based in Brooklyn, New York (NYC DOE District 19). With a background in Systems Engineering, Gabriel specializes in CS & AI Edu.
- 1 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 4 Groups
- @siddharth119
- | He/Him
Co-founder of Habitat Robotics, a conservation-tech non-profit
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 3 Groups
- @Kwabs22
- | He
I'm a dynamic environmental conservationist driving change through research and innovation. I merge farming experience with agroforestry skills and drone technology, fueled by a passion for sustainable agriculture, championing a greener future for a sustainable food system.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 3 Groups
Conservation X Labs
Inventor/Engineer at Parula Innovations, Hardware Engineer for Sentinel at Conservation X Labs, (Recovering) Field Biologist
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 6 Groups
Research software engineer working in computer vision for animal behaviour
- 1 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 13 Groups
Xeno-canto
Co-founder and admin of Xeno-canto.
- 0 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 2 Groups
- @annavallery
- | she/her
Seabird biologist experienced in research and applied conservation. Dedicated to conducting and using innovative research to inform conservation decisions.
- 0 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 5 Groups
Funding
Travel grants for insect monitoring an AI
Tom August
€2,000 travel grants are available for researchers interested in insect monitoring using automated cameras and computer vision
3 May 2024
Careers
Save the Elephants is seeking a Principal Investigator for our Elephant Collective Behaviour Project. This role will spearhead research initiatives using cutting-edge video analysis tools to study elephant group...
1 May 2024
Article
The Inventory User Guide
Jake Burton
Read in detail about how to use The Inventory, our new living directory of conservation technology tools, organisations, and R&D projects.
1 May 2024
Article
Introducing The Inventory!
Jake Burton
The Inventory is your one-stop shop for conservation technology tools, organisations, and R&D projects. Start contributing to it now!
1 May 2024
Careers
Hiring Chief Engineer at Conservation X Labs
Henrik Cox
Technology to End the Sixth Mass Extinction. Salary: $132 - $160k; Location: Seattle WA; 7+ years of experience in hardware product development and manufacturing; View post for full job description
1 May 2024
Article
Earth Blox dataset review: Meta Global Canopy Height (1m)
Cassie Anderson
Review by Professor Iain H Woodhouse
29 April 2024
Careers
The Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute is seeking a Program Manager to help coordinate multiple organizations in an effort to integrate movement data & camera trap data with global...
22 April 2024
Careers
Postdoc: Biologging & Camera Trap Data Integration
Lacey Hughey
The Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to help us integrate movement data & camera trap data with global conservation policy.
22 April 2024
Article
Join the Seeed Vision Challenge, an opportunity for conservation innovators to harness the power of AI vision sensors for environmental monitoring and protection.
10 April 2024
Careers
Job Opportunity - Wildlife Protection Solutions
Wildlife Protection Solutions
Full-Stack Software Developer (Python/React) - Specializing in AI/ML for Wildlife Conservation
5 April 2024
Article
Completely irrational animals...
Rob Appleby
Article from Ars Technica about how difficult it is to detect and avoid kangaroos...
3 April 2024
Finwave, while currently in beta-testing, is being used to help reunite an orphaned whale with its family.
3 April 2024
June 2025
event
Maximilian Sittinger
event
Nalini
July 2025
October 2025
event
Lacey Hughey and 3 more
November 2018
event
WILDLABS Team
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| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| That's amazing thanks so much! |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Data management and processing tools, Early Career | 2 months 3 weeks ago | |
| Thanks again for the interesting discussion everyone! Just a note that while I touched on it in my opening post above, there were still questions in this thread about what... |
+28
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Open Source Solutions, AI for Conservation, Ethics of Conservation Tech, Software Development | 2 months 3 weeks ago | |
| Thanks @VAR1 great insights! Funny you mentioned the honey thing, @hikinghack said the same in response on the GOSH forum. I think the point I'm trying to make with the vegan... |
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Open Source Solutions, AI for Conservation, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Ethics of Conservation Tech, Geospatial, Software Development | 2 months 3 weeks ago | |
| Linkedin mainly. iNaturalist and eBird ofc but these are more communities than real social networks. But, and this is a real advice, a good RSS feed reader with all your... |
+5
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AI for Conservation, Community Base | 2 months 3 weeks ago | |
| Hi Maureen, thanks a lot for this. Seemed more or less perfect so I applied :)Also didn't realise there was a slack community so I'll be scanning that too... |
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AI for Conservation | 3 months ago | |
| Hey everyone,On Monday, we are starting the test phase of our first MVP version!We are looking for a limited number of testers and still... |
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AI for Conservation | 3 months ago | |
| Hi Dan, Not right now but I can envision many uses. A key problem in RS is data streams for validation and training of ML models, its really not yet a solved problem. Any... |
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Emerging Tech, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Build Your Own Data Logger Community, Camera Traps, Connectivity, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Data management and processing tools, Geospatial, Sensors | 3 months 1 week ago | |
| Thanks @eugenegalaxy . Much appreciated and I will go through this thoroughly! |
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AI for Conservation | 3 months ago | |
| Hey Bob, thanks for the kind words! Your articles on Winterberry Wildlife have really been a big inspiration for me! There are extremely limited numbers of articles on trial... |
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AI for Conservation, Camera Traps | 3 months ago | |
| This is probably the most realistic one I've seen made by this tool (stable-difussion v1.5) |
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AI for Conservation | 3 months 1 week ago | |
| We just wanted to share this news outside the core robotics community - hoping to connect more with conservationists, researchers,... |
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AI for Conservation, Drones | 3 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Hi Lucie @luciegallegos ,Great to see ecoSecrets and happy to collaborate in any way I can! All EcoAssist's models are open-source, and the inference code too. With regards to... |
+10
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Software Development, AI for Conservation, Camera Traps | 3 months 2 weeks ago |
Mangrove soundscape
27 August 2022 4:57pm
30 August 2022 10:10pm
Camilo--
Are you interested only in airborne sounds or do you want to deploy hydrophones? That decision would inform a lot of other decisions about your purchase of equipment, as would having a clearer picture of your budget.
23 September 2022 5:39pm
Hi there Camilo,
What an interesting project! If you are looking for a lower cost, but effective tools for acoustic monitoring you might want to look into two options:
SoundTraps - are very commonly used and perform quite well:
SonarPoints - these are also a great instrument option:
page/sonarpoint | Desert Star Systems
The SonarPoint system is the third generation of Desert Stars passive underwater acoustics monitoring toolkits.
Senior Conservation Technology Expert Position (Consultancy) with the Global Wildlife Program
22 September 2022 5:35pm
Catch Up with the Variety Hour: October 2022
22 September 2022 1:59pm
WIA After Hours: Episode #5 - AI for Wildlife Conservation and Imageomics with Dr. Tanya Berger-Wolf
21 September 2022 6:53pm
WIA After Hours: Season : Episode #5 - AI for Wildlife Conservation and Imageomics with Dr. Tanya Berger-Wolf
WIA After Hours: Season : Episode #5 - AI for Wildlife Conservation and Imageomics with Dr. Tanya Berger-Wolf
Amazon Sustainability call for proposals — Fall 2022
20 September 2022 11:37am
Google.org commitment on using AI to accelerate progress on global development goals
16 September 2022 6:31pm
Research Software Engineer, Climate & Sustainability, IBM
16 September 2022 2:18pm
CamTrap Ecology meets AI conference
14 September 2022 4:47pm
Join the BirdNET team!
9 September 2022 2:43pm
Postdoc: Interpretable ML for species-based image classification
1 September 2022 9:34pm
New paper - 'soundClass: An automatic sound classification tool for biodiversity monitoring using machine learning'
1 September 2022 8:53pm
Introducing G.AI.A: Artificial Intelligence and Planetary-Scale Environmental Management
31 August 2022 10:25pm
Mara Predators Hackathon
30 August 2022 1:28pm
Research Associate in Conservation Ecology at QUT
29 August 2022 2:54pm
Conservation Technology Research Internship
26 August 2022 4:58pm
Postdoc in the application of AI for wildlife conservation & management
26 August 2022 11:47am
Online Hackathon: Predators conservation in the Maasai Mara
22 August 2022 10:32am
Ceres Wild Rhino application
22 August 2022 1:29am
29 September 2022 4:05am
Lead Software Engineer for ARISE
19 August 2022 8:22am
Lead Software Engineer, Wildlife Insights
10 August 2022 11:06pm
Research Technician - Unoccupied Aircraft Systems Pilot and Geospatial Analyst
10 August 2022 10:40pm
Building a simple AI-powered, human-in-the-loop system to manage wildlife camera trap images & annotations
10 August 2022 8:12pm
Building a simple AI-powered, human-in-the-loop system to manage wildlife camera trap images & annotations - Abhay Kashyap
Abhay Kashyap - 90 day fiancé evangelist. Applied AI/ML, PhD.
3yr Postdoctoral Associate: Remote Sensing and Unoccupied Aircraft Systems
10 August 2022 5:29pm
Catch Up with the WILDLABS Variety Hour: August 2022
10 August 2022 11:44am
Technology may solve climate change problems, but it’s also causing them | VentureBeat
8 August 2022 11:26am
Technology may solve climate change problems, but it’s also causing them | VentureBeat
It’s time for tech leaders to address the sector’s sustainability challenges by questioning supply and demand before it's too late.
Can deep learning identify seabirds? (species, within-species, individual)
25 May 2022 8:24pm
21 June 2022 4:55pm
Update: I asked the same question on twitter so I'm sharing answers I got there:
Let's chat! We've been training models to run on trail cameras as images/videos are captured, and have worked on migratory birds along coastlines (more info: https://t.co/NzW4GO2Wqp)
— Henrik Cox (@henrik_cox) June 1, 2022
21 June 2022 5:41pm
Hi Yvan,
I dropped this into the AI for Conservation slack group as well, you got this reply this morning:
Steph
8 August 2022 11:12am
Hi Yvan,
If you find something which reaches your expectation and especially the ability to identify individual with plumage patterns I will be intereted.
In the same idea that Ultralytics, there is :
Lobe · GitHub
Machine Learning Made Easy. Lobe has 11 repositories available. Follow their code on GitHub.
Which could probably answer your first and second requirements.
And find here a great website showing all the IA-based camera software, you may find solutions or contact throw this list:
Tiger, Tiger, in the Night... Now Visible in Real Time
5 August 2022 4:07pm
7 October 2024 9:47am
7 October 2024 9:55am
What is embedded ML, anyway?
5 August 2022 3:48pm
Biological Data Science Summer Workshop
5 August 2022 3:03pm
29 August 2022 2:47pm
You might check out the devices listed in the Conservation Tech Directory - you can search for 'acoustic recorder' or 'ARU' or something like that.
The most common off-the-shelf models (other than Frontier Labs' BARLTs mentioned above😊) are Open Acoustic Devices Audiomoths & Hydromoths (which may be particularly useful for you since they come in completely watertight cases that can be stuck underwater for deployments), Wildlife Acoustics' SongMeter series, and Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Swift units.