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!
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Hello, I am a PhD student studying birds and box turtles!
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I am a conservation technology advisor with New Zealand's Department of Conservation. I have experience in developing remote monitoring tech, sensors, remote comms and data management.
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PhD student at Stanford University studying marine migratory species and human-wildlife interactions through biologging, remote sensing, and participatory science.
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- @eliminatha
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Passionate wildlife researcher dedicated to uncovering the secrets of the natural world via the lens of camera traps. With a sharp eye for detail and a strong commitment to wildlife conservation.
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Experienced Biologist with a Master of Science degree and 15 years of international experience in the fields of nature resource management, ecological restoration, and human rights in agriculture, forestry, and cattle ranching for sustainable production and sourcing
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- @DeepakSathyanarayan
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Deepak is an experienced professional who has served in multiple leadership roles in technology, science, product development, and engineering programs. He has proven expertise in shaping and executing technology strategies across defense, space, health, and environment sectors.
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- @emilydorne
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DrivenData
Lead Data Scientist and developer of zamba, a tool for automatic species classification from camera traps
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Technical Specialist at FFI: loves data management, maps, remote sensing & GIS for conservation
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- @erinconnolly
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University College London (UCL)
PhD Student at UCL's People and Nature Lab. Studying human-livestock-wildlife coexistence in the Greater Maasai Mara Ecosystem, Kenya.
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- @gabyavm97
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Gabriela A. Valencia-Macias, B.Sc. (Universidad Veracruzana), is achieving a master's degree in science at the Ecology Institute (INECOL A.C). She is Colombian-Mexican and has focused her studies on the conservation and biodiversity of amphibians.
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Careers
Spatial Data Analysis, TNC
The Nature Conservancy
Working with a team of conservation practioners, scientists, and technologists, the Spatial Data Analyst uses leading-edge earth observation data in new and effective ways to inform conservation practice locally,...
8 November 2022
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Senior AI Research Scientist, Earth Species Project
Earth Species Project
The Earth Species Project (ESP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to decoding animal communication and translating non-human language.
8 November 2022
Link
Opinion paper describing "how data acquired from remote sensing, citizen science & other monitoring approaches could feed in near-real time to an early warning system for biodiversity that integrates automated red-...
7 November 2022
The large gap between data availability & use.
28 October 2022
Careers
Conservation Technology Intern (Vietnam)
Stephanie O'Donnell and 1 more
*New closing date!* WILDLABS and Fauna & Flora International are seeking an early career conservationist for 12-month paid internship position to grow and support the Southeast Asia regional community in our global...
19 October 2022
Article
Can we build an AI-driven system for managing the planet? Perhaps — but let’s be realistic about the challenges & what it can achieve. First in a series on the promise and challenges to using AI and machine learning...
13 October 2022
Article
Try AI Micro-Internship 2023
Elizabeth Bondi-Kelly
Try AI is seeking mentors for our upcoming 2023 Micro-internship Program, a two-week, virtual micro-internship exploring artificial intelligence research and its potential application in society.
11 October 2022
Article
Upcoming WWF Webinar Series: Artificial Intelligence and Conservation
World Wide Fund for Nature/ World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
The series will focus on how AI is being used to support conservation efforts. The series will discuss the past, present and future of how these technologies advance sustainability, with a focus on the future, and an...
11 October 2022
Article
Audio Across Domains Workshop 2022
Tessa Rhinehart
A collaborative and cross-disciplinary meeting of audio data scientists spawns creative research collaborations
3 October 2022
Careers
18 Sustainability Job Opportunities at Google
Stephanie O'Donnell
Check out these openings to join Google's global Sustainability Programme. Location varies.
3 October 2022
Link
Authors developed system to acoustically identify individual animals (under varying conditions) using combo of multi-scale information integration, multi-channel audio & multi-task learning. Tested on captive group...
3 October 2022
Link
Open-source image database that standardizes & aggregates expertly curated labeled underwater data, enabling AI in the ocean. Seeded with existing imagery of marine animals, underwater equipment, debris, etc. &...
27 September 2022
August 2025
event
Louisa Richmond-Coggan
September 2025
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October 2025
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December 2025
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March 2026
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| Thank you for your reply, ChadI meant 10 as a whole, indeed. Perhaps you see your post in one group, but since it is tagged for all groups, I assumed you meant 10 in total.In your... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Camera Traps, Citizen Science, Climate Change, Community Base, Connectivity, Drones, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech, Funding and Finance, Geospatial, Human-Wildlife Coexistence, Software Development, Wildlife Crime | 1 month 4 weeks ago | |
| Thanks Fadhilla! I met with your colleague Henrick at the booth. :-) |
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AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Camera Traps, Citizen Science, Community Base, Data management and processing tools, Early Career, Geospatial | 1 month 4 weeks ago | |
| Thank you for your comment Chris! Using these tools has made a huge difference in the way we can monitor and manage Invasive Alien Vegetation. I hope you are able to integrate... |
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AI for Conservation, Citizen Science, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Drones, Geospatial, Human-Wildlife Coexistence, Open Source Solutions | 2 months ago | |
| Hi Nick,Thank you for reaching out and for the incredible work you’re doing to spotlight conservation through film. We’d be very interested in learning more about your documentary... |
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AI for Conservation, Emerging Tech | 2 months ago | |
| I would love to hear updates on this if you have a mailing list or list of intersted parties! |
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AI for Conservation, Community Base, Drones, Latin America Community, Marine Conservation, Open Source Solutions, Software Development | 2 months ago | |
| Hello, could you please elaborate on what the purpose of this project is? Thanks a lot :) Lukas |
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AI for Conservation, Emerging Tech, Sensors | 2 months 1 week ago | |
| This survey on camera trap use is a valuable effort to improve data quality and consistency in wildlife monitoring. Looking forward to the results and how they will help shape... |
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Camera Traps, AI for Conservation, Open Source Solutions | 2 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Ritika, All the best! I hope someone provides a more substantive answer! I have also graduated with masters in AI and ML recently. Difference being I am at the end of my... |
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AI for Conservation, Software Development | 3 months 4 weeks ago | |
| We’re excited to announce that Deep Voice has received a 2025 Wildlabs Award to develop a public, web-based platform for marine mammal... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Marine Conservation | 2 months 3 weeks ago | |
| True, the US ecosystem is a challenging space right now, for basically all sectors. We should not let the US chaos prevent us from engaging with opportunities in other... |
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AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Connectivity, Drones, Emerging Tech, Ethics of Conservation Tech, Marine Conservation, Sensors | 4 months ago | |
| Fascinating article, combining machine learning and acoustical signals to correlate coral reef health.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Marine Conservation | 3 years 2 months ago | |
| MIT has this Moo Deng-based fun challenge! More seriously it relates to AI and human-nature interaction. I imagine people on Wildlabs would... |
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AI for Conservation | 2 months 3 weeks ago |
Innovation wanted: Technology Testing to Mitigate Human-Elephant Conflict in West Bengal
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The Wildlife Society Conference
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Catch up with The Variety Hour: June 2023
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CV4Animals: Computer Vision for Animal Behavior Tracking and Modeling
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9 June 2023 10:14am
Think | IBM
Experience an integrated media property for tech workers—latest news, explainers and market insights to help stay ahead of the curve.
Imageomics Institute Image Datapalooza, August 2023
2 June 2023 11:44pm
ISO Speakers for Emerging Technologies class.
31 May 2023 4:29pm
2 June 2023 2:08pm
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!
10 AI for the Planet Projects you should be excited about
25 May 2023 11:07am
Looking for AI volunteer positions
24 May 2023 5:41am
24 May 2023 3:45pm
Hi Donya! You might check out the Conservation Tech Directory to see what projects/organizations/tools best align with your interests and skills.
Director of Research
Mbaza AI recognized by UNESCO & new team member
17 May 2023 8:49pm
Happywhale: AI-Powered Whale Identification
16 May 2023 10:00am
Lecturer/Associate Professor of Ecology and Innovative Technologies
16 May 2023 9:25am
Deadline Approaching: Conservation Tech Award
15 May 2023 10:21pm
Photo Quadrats, AI, and MERMAID: A Case Study from Mozambique
12 May 2023 3:44pm
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
5 May 2023 1:50pm
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
[Recordings Now Available!) EarthRanger User Conference
27 April 2023 5:52am
Looking to contribute
27 April 2023 2:41am
Artificial Intelligence and Conservation: Closing Session
26 April 2023 8:54pm
Artificial Intelligence and Conservation with Lily Xu
26 April 2023 8:41pm
Feathered forecast: Tech tools comb weather data for bird migrations
26 April 2023 2:50pm
31 May 2023 10:21pm
Definitely interested! I'm in the ecoacoustics/acoustic monitoring space, working at Rainforest Connection and Arbimon.