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!
No showcases have been added to this group yet.
Sea Mammal Research Unit Univ' St Andrews
I work in marine bioacoustics with a focus on the conservation of marine mammals. Most of the time I'm developing and using passive acoustic technology to study the underwater behaviour of dolphins and porpoises. I'm also a keen developer on the PAMGuard project.
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BirdLife International
I deliver policy and advocacy components of cross-regional projects and initiatives concerning international site-based conservation, including through international mechanisms such as the Ramsar Convention, Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and World Heritage Convention.
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- @billoxbury
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Mathematician and data/AI scientist, interested in environmental applications; wildlife photographer and volunteer.
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- @TheDataEnthusiastic
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Hi, I'm pursuing Master's in Data Science. And I want work help protect nature and wildlife.
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World Wide Fund for Nature/ World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
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- @Alejandro
- | He
This climate crisis does not have to be a story of loss but rather a story of redemption, rebirth, and change. My paintings capture the spiritual nature, the grounding energy of our shared existence with the natural world. AML-ART.COM
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- @jodirowley
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Conservation biologist obsessed with frogs
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Sound art and design
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- @apcxs
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I am a Geoscientist interested in using geospatial data science to contribute to solutions of today’s environmental challenges. I mostly worked with land surafce temperature data from satellites and drones to study how high mountain landscapes respond to climate change.
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- @Helga_Kuechly
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World Wide Fund for Nature/ World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
I am a Geo-ecologist, who loves to use GIS, remote sensing, citizen science and knowledge transfer to shape for a better future for nature - We are part of nature, so let's act like it!
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Article
The recent Ramsar Conference in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, underscored the critical importance of wetland conservation and the need for innovative solutions to protect these vital ecosystems.
16 August 2025
Funding
The AI for Climate Resilience Program is a new initiative by Klarna that aims to support pioneering projects that leverage artificial intelligence for climate adaptation in underserved, climate-vulnerable regions.
6 August 2025
Article
AI for Conservation Office Hours: 2025 Review
Jake Burton and 1 more
Read about the advice provided by AI specialists in AI Conservation Office Hours 2025 earlier this year and reflect on how this helped projects so far.
6 August 2025
Careers
If you're a Post-Doctoral Fellow, a PhD student, or a member of the research staff interested in applying your computational skills to support active research publications, please read on to learn about the Cross-...
5 August 2025
Careers
If you're a PhD student, post-doc, advisor, or marine expert - Plan Vivo is looking for you!
5 August 2025
A free, self-paced course series for nonprofit professionals is available through August 31.
31 July 2025
Link
GeoCroissant Survey
Alex Rood
The GeoCroissant team is conducting a short survey (5–10 minutes) to better understand user needs and preferences around geospatial metadata in machine learning. Your input will support the development of an open...
28 July 2025
Careers
PhD position AI for coral reefs
Alex Rood
This role will investigate the potential of large-scale deep learning models, for constructing 3D models of coral reefs
28 July 2025
Article
Leveraging AI & Big Data For Love Of The Environment
Robert Chonge
🔥 Excited to join the WILDLAB community! I’m Robert Chonge — a Full Stack Developer with a passion for AI and Big Data, now channeling that tech firepower toward environmental conservation.Let’s turn data into action...
26 July 2025
Careers
Búsqueda de desarrollador de IA - Instituto Humboldt
Vanesa Reyes
El Instituto Humboldt está buscando un(a) Desarrollador(a) de Inteligencia Artificial que quiera aplicar su experiencia en Python y procesamiento de lenguaje natural para proteger la biodiversidad.
25 July 2025
Careers
The Marine Innovation Lab for Leading-edge Oceanography develops hardware and software to expand the ocean observing network and for the sustainable management of natural resources. For Fall 2026, we are actively...
24 July 2025
Link
AI Pipeline for digitalisation of labels
Ginevra Bellini
Dear colleagues, I'd like to share with you the output of the project KIEBIDS, which focused on using AI to extract biodiversity-relevant information from museum labels. Perhaps it can be applied also to other written...
17 July 2025
August 2025
event
Louisa Richmond-Coggan
September 2025
event
Louisa Richmond-Coggan
event
Louisa Richmond-Coggan
October 2025
event
Lacey Hughey and 3 more
December 2025
event
Alex Rood
March 2026
September 2023
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Charles Stewart
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| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
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| @DibblexLesalon looks like a great question for your team at Expert Drones Africa :) |
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AI for Conservation | 1 year ago | |
| However, I think it's important to reflect further to determine exactly what needs to be done. |
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Climate Change, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Citizen Science | 1 year ago | |
| Congrats on the publication! Great work! |
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AI for Conservation | 1 year ago | |
| The German start-up Dryad is also working on early fire detection using sensors and AI. |
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AI for Conservation | 1 year ago | |
| I found this interesting |
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AI for Conservation, Emerging Tech | 1 year ago | |
| Really interesting, I will take a look |
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AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools, Emerging Tech | 1 year ago | |
| Great new!! |
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AI for Conservation | 1 year ago | |
| Hi Carly, thank you for the advice! I am only focusing on the two birds for now - my goal is to use part of the iNaturalist data I have pulled to train the model and the rest to... |
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AI for Conservation | 1 year ago | |
| Thank you so much! Now everything is in the hands of amazing organizations and companies! But the first results of the Disaster Management cohort are bringing a very optimistic... |
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AI for Conservation, Climate Change, Early Career, East Africa Community, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech, Ending Wildlife Trafficking Online, Human-Wildlife Coexistence, Open Source Solutions | 1 year ago | |
| great! |
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AI for Conservation | 1 year ago | |
| interesting!!! |
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AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Data management and processing tools | 1 year ago | |
| so great!!! |
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Software Development, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement | 1 year ago |
