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!
- @ryanhuang
- | He/Him/His
Conservation scientist based in Pretoria, South Africa
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 6 Groups
- @jsstamn
- | She/her
PhD student at the University of Mississippi; research interests include predator/prey dynamics, particularly the landscape of fear in relation to species conservation. Rookie at using arduino
- 0 Resources
- 4 Discussions
- 5 Groups
Neuroscientist & engineer looking for a data/R&D role in conservation.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 17 Groups
I am a research scientist from the AI for Good Lab at Microsoft, working on AI applications in environmental science and ecology, including camera traps, bioacoustics, and overhead imagery.
- 1 Resources
- 7 Discussions
- 1 Groups
An Environmental sciences and Management graduate from SUA, passionate and eager to drive change to the Environment, making World a better place for present and future generations.
- 4 Resources
- 35 Discussions
- 14 Groups
- @hyodopenguin
- | she/her
I am currently a rising junior at UC Berkeley studying data science. I hope to apply data with biodiversity, especially by utilizing camera traps for species classification. People in conservation tech are truly living my dream careers, and I can't wait to get even more inspired!
- 0 Resources
- 5 Discussions
- 23 Groups
- @AngelikaNocon
- | she/her
I am a Nonprofit Relations Manager at Tech To The Rescue - a global platform connecting nonprofit organizations with tech companies.
- 0 Resources
- 3 Discussions
- 4 Groups
- @Slater
- | he/him
I am the Conservation Science Director at HawkWatch International, where I've worked since 2006. My work focuses mainly on conservation and research of Golden Eagles, including nesting, tracking, and winter ecology.
- 0 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 4 Groups
Mobile developer w/ a passion for nature and conservation
- 0 Resources
- 16 Discussions
- 6 Groups
I'm a researcher in aquatic sciences, studying connections between fish biology and endocrine systems that govern growth and reproduction, contributing to fisheries management, conservation efforts and aquaculture innovations.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 5 Groups
- @christinebarry
- | she/her
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 2 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 4 Groups
Article
Announcement of Project SPARROW
Zhongqi Miao
SPARROW: Solar-Powered Acoustics and Remote Recording Observation Watch
18 December 2024
Article
Horizon scan of AI in nature conservation
Frank van der Most
Comments on Reynolds, S.A et all (2024) 'The potential for AI to revolutionize conservation: a horizon scan'. A very interesting read, perhaps more for the discussion on negative effects of AI and consequences for the...
18 December 2024
Careers
Postdoc on camera trapping, remote sensing, and AI for wildlife studies
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
The Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies (WFE), SLU, Umeå, is looking for a postdoc with strong interests in wildlife conservation technology. She/he will work within Big Picture, a European project...
18 December 2024
Careers
Postdoc on camera trapping, remote sensing, and AI for wildlife studies
Tim R. Hofmeester
Fully funded 2 year position within a Biodiversa+ funded project
16 December 2024
Careers
AI Researcher / Doctoral Candidate
Thiago Gouvêa
Develop state-of-the-art interactive ML-based tools for biodiverstiy conservation and related applications
11 December 2024
Careers
Join the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance as a Postdoctoral Fellow! Lead groundbreaking bioacoustic and ML research to conserve burrowing owls in SoCal.
26 November 2024
Link
High-resolution sensors and deep learning models for tree resource monitoring
Elsa Carla De Grandi
The paper looks at technology advances for vegetation cover changes monitoring. For example, computer vision methods to infer 3D parameters via contextual learning from optical images.
25 November 2024
Link
AmazonTEC: 4D Technology for Biodiversity Monitoring in the Amazon (English)
Elsa Carla De Grandi
Interesting webinar on the use of advanced technologies(e.g. Artificial Intelligence, cloud computing, drones, camera traps and satellites) for biodiversity monitoring in the Amazon. Also available in Spanish.
25 November 2024
Careers
Computer Vision Developer
Ben Weinstein
We are hiring a computer vision developer at the University of Florida!
20 November 2024
Article
FathomVerse: Gaming for the Good of the Ocean
Lilli Wakinekona Carlsen
Dive into meaningful play with FathomVerse!
20 November 2024
Careers
1 year research role working on the FrogID citizen science project
13 November 2024
Article
Apply Now: AI for Conservation Office Hours 2025
Jake Burton and 1 more
Are you stuck on an AI or ML challenge in your conservation work? Apply now for the chance to receive tailored expert advice from data scientists! The deadline for applications is Monday 9 December 2024.
13 November 2024
June 2025
event
Nalini
July 2025
October 2025
event
Lacey Hughey and 3 more
May 2023
73 Products
Recently updated products
16 Products
Recently updated products
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Really interesting, I will take a look |
|
AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools, Emerging Tech | 9 months 3 weeks ago | |
| Great new!! |
+15
|
AI for Conservation | 9 months 3 weeks 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... |
|
AI for Conservation | 9 months 3 weeks 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... |
|
AI for Conservation, Climate Change, Early Career, East Africa Community, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech, Ending Wildlife Trafficking Online, Human-Wildlife Conflict, Open Source Solutions | 9 months 3 weeks ago | |
| great! |
|
AI for Conservation | 9 months 3 weeks ago | |
| interesting!!! |
|
AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Data management and processing tools | 9 months 3 weeks ago | |
| so great!!! |
|
Software Development, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement | 9 months 3 weeks ago | |
| @bluevalhalla thanks for sharing the awesome video, sounds like a great project! |
|
AI for Conservation | 9 months 4 weeks ago | |
| Hi everyone, I am conducting a research project as part of my MSc in Environment and Development at the London School of Economics. I... |
|
Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Autonomous Camera Traps for Insects, Ethics of Conservation Tech | 10 months ago | |
| @cmwainaina please take a look |
|
Animal Movement, AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Connectivity, Data management and processing tools, East Africa Community, Emerging Tech, Ethics of Conservation Tech, Human-Wildlife Conflict, Marine Conservation, Protected Area Management Tools, Geospatial, Sensors, Software Development | 10 months ago | |
| Glad to announce that a new tutorial is available on Firetail: |
|
AI for Conservation, Animal Movement | 10 months 2 weeks ago | |
| The use of synthetic training data such as interpolated sequence values is common, but fraught with the issue of your synthetic signal generating features that are not true to... |
|
Data management and processing tools, AI for Conservation | 10 months 3 weeks ago |
