AI for Conservation

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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.

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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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@jamie_mac

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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@Yemisi

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
| he/him

Mathematician and data/AI scientist, interested in environmental applications; wildlife photographer and volunteer.

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@TheDataEnthusiastic
| He/Him

Hi, I'm pursuing Master's in Data Science. And I want work help protect nature and wildlife.

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@Felipe-Spina

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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@Nahun

Sound art and design

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@apcxs
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@Ann_Wambui

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@denizgoek

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
| she/her

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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Description	Activity	Replies	Groups	Updated
Looking for Computer Vision person for citizen science app	Hi, I am a PhD student in computer science and currently working in Animal emotion detection. I would be happy to join your team.		AI for Conservation	3 weeks 2 days ago
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	3 weeks 6 days 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	4 weeks 2 days 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	4 weeks 2 days 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 2 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 2 weeks ago

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