AI for Conservation

Group

AI for Conservation / Feed

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in the field to analyse information collected by wildlife conservationists, from camera trap and satellite images to audio recordings. AI can learn how to identify which photos out of thousands contain rare species; or pinpoint an animal call out of hours of field recordings - hugely reducing the manual labour required to collect vital conservation data.

1099

Active members

285

Active discussions

1173

Comments

535

Resources

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!

Country based in

Sort by

@nsitoula

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
14 Groups

@Thorondor
| He/Him

AI engineering working on cutting edge AI research and product for detecting objects. Big wildlife and conservation enthusiast and amateur wildlife photographer.

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
2 Groups

@beaverdome

finding ecological solutions using sound and conservation tech

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
4 Groups

@lmwall

Currently a data scientist in industry working on mechanistic models of risk, previously worked on modeling coral reefs. I am interested in the potential for emerging technologies and new ideas to help us solve environmental crises.

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
14 Groups

@philine

Fauna & Flora

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
3 Discussions
10 Groups

@OakAlice
| She/her

PhD researcher standardising machine learning approaches for behaviour classification in free-roaming wild animals.

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
7 Groups

@Kasi
| He/him

Game Rangers International

Kasi Amor Kalande is a young conservationist with experience in elephant movement research, GIS, and conservation technology.

TBC: xx articles
1 Resources
0 Discussions
7 Groups

@Manahil_ijaz
| she

I’m a nature enthusiast who loves exploring wildlife and ecosystems. Through my research in ecology, I channel this passion into protecting and preserving biodiversity.

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
3 Groups

@Kari

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
4 Groups

@Doris0511
| She/Her

Founder of Life on Purpose Detroit, we work with Detroit Youth to learn about technology and conservation.

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
3 Groups

@Phillip_Swart
| He

I'm a conservationist working in the Vulture conservation space in South Africa with a huge passion for technology.

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
17 Groups

@GrunCrow
| She/They

Computer Scientist

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
10 Groups

Description	Activity	Replies	Groups	Updated
Excited about AI in Conservation	Hi everyone! I am so excited to be a part of this group for two reasons. First, as part of my job, i manage computers and other devices. On...		AI for Conservation	4 weeks ago
Exploring the Wild Edge: A Proposal for a New WILDLABS Group	Hello Youssef,Yes, let's keep contact. I'm currently looking for good conferences to publish my work, if you are aware of something, please let me know.	+53	AI for Conservation, Community Base	1 month ago
Software for tortoise re-identification	Also, I would generally interested to contribute to the Internet of Turtles with sea turtle photos. There are a lot of Green and Hawksbill sea turtles of various ages in the sea...		AI for Conservation	1 month ago
G-DiNC 2026: Global Drones in Nature Conservation Symposium & Expo	G-DiNC 2026: Global Drones in Nature Conservation Symposium & ExpoNairobi & Naivasha, Kenya \| March 3–6,...		Drones, AI for Conservation, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Emerging Tech, Marine Conservation, Sensors	1 month ago
Halow wifi, local AI, thermal + visible	Idles around 2W, peaks a bit more than 6W.		Camera Traps, AI for Conservation	1 month ago
Monitoring bat and bird collisions at MET Tower	Yes, thanks Riley and Kim. Someone suggested WIS and I am currently in discussions with them. Their system seems especially well suited for the purpose and I am hoping it works...		AI for Conservation, Emerging Tech, Sensors	1 month 2 weeks ago
Tech for Impact Collaboration	Do you know a nonprofit or organization that is looking to work with students passionate about the environment? Code the Change...		AI for Conservation, Citizen Science, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Open Source Solutions, Software Development	1 month 2 weeks ago
🌊 FathomVerse mobile game debuts new features to help gamers participate in ocean exploration	Play FathomVerse: App Store \| Google Play Join the Community: Discord \| Instagram \| TikTok \| LinkedInStay up-to-date: ...		Marine Conservation, AI for Conservation, Citizen Science	4 months 3 weeks ago
I WANT TO TELL YOUR STORY	I create ocean exploration and marine life content on YouTube, whether it be recording nautilus on BRUVs, swimming with endangered bowmouth...		Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Camera Traps, Citizen Science, Drones, Emerging Tech, Marine Conservation, Sensors, Sustainable Fishing Challenges, Wildlife Crime	1 month 2 weeks ago
Try new SpeciesNet + Animal Detect combination online	Hey, you are asking the right kind of questions! There are quite a lot of things which make Animal Detect unique, while we constantly build on new and improved features. ...		AI for Conservation	1 month 3 weeks ago
Case Studies Wanted! How is AI already being used in the Ecology sector in the UK (and beyond?)	Hi Sam,I'm the Nature Tech and AI Innovation Manager at Conservation International, and we have a number of use cases of AI for different aspects of conservation (sustainable...		AI for Conservation	1 month 3 weeks ago
New Group Proposal: Systems Builders & PACIM Designers	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...		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

Group