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!
Zoologist, currently serving as Head of Field Studies at Absolute Adventure (UAE). An environmental education professional with expertise in program development: field studies, wildlife conservation, research-based fieldwork, and outdoor education.
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- @LukeSwaby
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Data Research Scientist at a leading multinational aerospace and defence company, looking to transition to a career in conservation AI. Experience covering a broad range of cutting-edge research topics across bioinformatics and machine learning.
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- 5 Discussions
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Control and Automation Engineer, currently enrolled in the Automation and Systems Postgraduate Program at Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) in Brazil to obtain a Master's degree. Areas of interest: Multi Agent Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics.
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- 1 Discussions
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I'm a PhD student at UW working with the Smithsonian and Center for One Health Research. I develop models to predict and explain zoonotic disease patterns, with a strong emphasis on how these diseases impact wildlife populations and communities sharing the same landscape.
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- 9 Discussions
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World Wide Fund for Nature/ World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
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- @Rewildman
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Eco-entrepreneur. Concerned with the fundamental interconnectedness of all things creative and environmental.
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- 2 Discussions
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Monitoring and Evidence Manager, Kent Wildlife Trust
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- 1 Discussions
- 6 Groups
- @Naythin
- | He/Him
I’m an 18-year-old passionate about wildlife conservation and interested in how technology can help protect endangered species. I’m just starting out and eager to learn more about AI, and conservation.
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- @emmlub
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Interested in soil health and acoustic monitoring
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- @johnjoseph
- | He/Him
I am a mechanical engineer with diverse industry experience and a passion for innovative technology. As a technology and engineering entrepreneur, I focus on creating solutions that blend advanced engineering with a commitment to nature and forest conservation.
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- @tobiaspetri
- | he/him
Schäuffelhut Berger GmbH
data science & algorithmic developmentfor movement ecology
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PhD student in animal biology working on AI for wildlife conservation
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Article
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Jacqueline Ramos explains how artificial intelligence can help to track and prevent chimpanzee trafficking across the globe.
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The Open Data Institute and the Office for AI are partnering to explore how data trusts could help to solve environmental, societal and industry challenges by enabling increased access to data while retaining trust....
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With the aim of advancing rewildling-related technology in the UK and introducing new talent and ideas into the field of rewildling, Ecosulis is thrilled to announce the launch of their first ever Rewilding Tech...
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Canopy cameras shed new light on monkey business in Brazil
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A team of Brazilian biologists supported by the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) is unlocking the secrets of one of the world’s most fragile and threatened biodiversity hotspots thanks to the success of a...
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Ted Schmitt joined us for a lunchtime lecture in which he shared his experiences working across Africa the past five years with protected area managers, anti-trafficking organisations, and scientists to effectively...
22 November 2018
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Machine learning is widely recognized as the solution to camera trap data processing, but a user-friendly and broadly-accessible system for putting this tech to use has not yet been developed. In this case study,...
1 October 2018
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In this case study, conservation ecologist Ayesha Tulloch takes us behind the scenes of her recent paper, which came out in Nature Ecology & Evolution earlier this month. In this paper, Ayesha and her team present a...
20 August 2018
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Thermal Sensor Project Update: Testing with live animals at the San Diego Zoo
Arribada Initiative
The winners of our Human Wildlife Conflict Tech Challenge are offering regular updates throughout the year to chronicle their failures, successes and what they learn along the way as they develop their solutions. In...
27 July 2018
Funding
$90K in grants from the Con X Tech Prize
WILDLABS Admin
Looking to prototype or pilot a new conservation tech idea or approach? Conservation X Labs is running an idea competition for teams to create a first draft (i.e. prototype) of their conservation solution. 20 finalists...
11 June 2018
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HWC Tech Challenge: Thermopile Sensor Project
Arribada Initiative
Conflict between humans and wildlife is increasing as human communities expand and wild habitats are destroyed, prompting need for new mitigation techniques. As a winner of the Human Wildlife Conflict Tech Challenge,...
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#Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge 2018: Our Top 10
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Hundreds of people joined our #Tech4Wildlife photo challenge this year, showcasing all the incredible ways tech is being used to support wildlife conservation. We've seen proximity loggers on Tasmanian Devils in...
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| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| This is probably seen a bit as "self-branding" which I hope is alright, otherwise please let me know! I have spent the past few months... |
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AI for Conservation | 3 months 2 weeks ago | |
| We are putting together a special issue in the journal Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology and are welcoming (review) papers on the use of AI in bird research. https://www.... |
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AI for Conservation, Software Development, Citizen Science, Data management and processing tools | 3 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Hi Adrien,Submissions are open for the special addition. Please email David Ehlers Smith - david.ehlers.smith@birdlife.org.za for more details. We are also soliciting reviewers.... |
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AI for Conservation | 3 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Hello everyone!During my master thesis in engineering (past autumn), I developed Machine Learning for anti-poaching. As such, I recorded a... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Data management and processing tools | 3 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Hey everyone! We’re Deep Voice Foundation, a non-profit using AI to help conserve marine wildlife. We develop acoustic... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation | 3 months 3 weeks ago | |
| Hello everyone. My name is Bilal. I recently graduated with a degree in bioengineering and hold a bachelor's degree in computer science,... |
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AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Human-Wildlife Conflict, Marine Conservation | 4 months ago | |
| Hey, please find here a dataset about nocturnal bird calls in Europe |
+5
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Software Development | 4 months 1 week ago | |
| Hi Simon,We (Reneco International Wildlife Consultants) have an ongoing collaboration with a local University (Abu Dhabi, UAE) for developing AI tools (cameratrap/drone... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Camera Traps, Citizen Science, Connectivity, Drones, Early Career, eDNA & Genomics, Marine Conservation, Protected Area Management Tools, Sensors | 4 months 1 week ago | |
| @HeinrichS there’s still time for you or anyone else to make a funding submission to the wildlabs 2025 grants ❤️❤️❤️I haven't applied for wildlabs funding, but I would love for... |
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Human-Wildlife Conflict, AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Emerging Tech | 4 months 1 week ago | |
| thanks kristy! super helpful list. |
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Data management and processing tools, AI for Conservation | 4 months 1 week ago | |
| And I see now they can walk vertically up walls like Spider-Man. |
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Camera Traps, AI for Conservation | 4 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Thank you for the comments. My team will be glad to have this added to the inventory. |
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AI for Conservation | 4 months 2 weeks ago |
The Wildlife Society Conference
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Carly, that would be great! Thanks! I work with soundscapes and love the work of Rainforest Connection! I'll send you an email (@CUNY) to coordinate!
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Looking for AI volunteer positions
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Hi Donya! You might check out the Conservation Tech Directory to see what projects/organizations/tools best align with your interests and skills.
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AI for Conservation Office Hours: 2023 Review
Dan Morris
and 1 more
11 May 2023 10:00am
Crowdsourcing individual ID for pop dyn?
1 May 2023 5:36pm
5 May 2023 6:15pm
That sounds like a really neat project! Do fish get re-caught often enough that individual ID is useful? Is sample bias (more data from popular spots) an issue?
GRO is the story of what on Earth is going on
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Using computer vision to understand bee vision
5 May 2023 1:10am
How can you tell if a photo is AI generated? Here are some tips.
29 April 2023 3:35pm
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Looking to contribute
27 April 2023 2:41am
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26 April 2023 8:41pm
Feathered forecast: Tech tools comb weather data for bird migrations
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Congo Basin activity?
30 March 2023 9:14pm
25 April 2023 5:08pm
greetings!
i sent you a PM regarding this, feel free to contact me however is most convenient for you -
regards,
chris
31 May 2023 10:21pm
Definitely interested! I'm in the ecoacoustics/acoustic monitoring space, working at Rainforest Connection and Arbimon.