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.
- @ImaniWilson
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Zoology with a placement year graduate from Bangor University. Interested in large African mammal movement and behaviour in response to climate change, particularly African elephants
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- @Fatuma
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I aim to transition my career towards conservation technology after gaining two years of experience in the tech industry.
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- @Heloise
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Bio-acoustician, marine biologist, marine mammal specialist, drone enthusiast
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- @Ferrugem
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Latin American environmental scientist.
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- @TempleB
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- @katja
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AI/ML consultant for climate/environment solutions industry
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- @karinnacvijanovich
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- @amklovrza
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Hello! My name is Anabelle Marques Klovrza and I am a Ph.D. student at Dawson's lab. I am studying community assembly of island-like environments, and in trying to connect it with the vulnerability and fragility of the ecosystem.
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- @Giu.Appel
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Brazilian biologist, PhD in Ecology and 10 yrs of experience in the Amazon with bat bioacoustics
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- @Dominik
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PhD Student on bio- and ecoacoustics at the University of Freiburg (GER)
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I am nature lover and now lost the tolerance to just be an admirer watching its destruction. Hence joining this crew to contribute my supportive work much lesser than a penny worth
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Article
Zooplankton Prosome and Lipid Sac Segmentation
Andrzej Białaś
A machine learning-based solution that can segment the Prosomes and Lipid sacs with sufficient accuracy helps to recognize the ecological plasticity of key Arctic copepods. It allows scientists to learn more about the...
15 February 2023
Link
AI, sensors enhance wildfire detection
Stephanie O'Donnell
A pilot program in Oregon’s Willamette Valley will test how well artificial intelligence-enabled sensors can identify and characterize wildfires, which will help with responder resource allocation and boost community...
15 February 2023
Careers
Technology to End the Sixth Mass Extinction. Salary: $104k-144K; Location: Washington DC or Seattle WA, potential hybrid; 5+ years of Full stack development experience; Deadline March 15th - view post for full job...
10 February 2023
Careers
Machine Learning Scientist
British Antarctic Survey
The British Antarctic Survey’s Artificial Intelligence Lab is looking to hire a machine learning engineer/researcher.
10 February 2023
Careers
Research Associate - Machine Learning (Underwater Sound)
Stephanie O'Donnell
You will develop and apply novel approaches and machine learning techniques for the detection, classification and identification of marine fauna from passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) validated with paired visual...
10 February 2023
Careers
Engineering Manager, Skylight
Allen Institute for AI
On the AST Skylight team, you will work with talented engineers, domain experts, and product managers to uncover illegal fishing by developing the tools that help countries around the globe combat this problem.
10 February 2023
Link
AI for Biodiversity Webinars
Isobel Ashbey
Just had this in my inbox, thought I'd share!
9 February 2023
Link
Hi! I created a new tutorial video on how to annotate high density acceleration data using Firetail 10 (www.firetail.de). In particular, I cover * how to automatically segment your data * how to edit and modify...
8 February 2023
Careers
Are you excited by the potential for new technologies to help monitor the natural world? Do you enjoy communicating your passion for technology and nature with diverse audiences? We are seeking an enthusiastic...
2 February 2023
Careers
Consultancy opportunity: Wildlife monitoring specialist
Anthony Dancer
Consultancy opportunity at ZSL for an experienced monitoring specialist to support species monitoring in rewilding landscapes across Europe
31 January 2023
Careers
Assistant Professor in Conservation Science
Sara Beery
The Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (ESPM) at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
25 January 2023
Article
Apply Now: AI for Conservation Office Hours
WILDLABS Team
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! Applications due 27th January 2023
18 January 2023
August 2025
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Louisa Richmond-Coggan
September 2025
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Louisa Richmond-Coggan
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Louisa Richmond-Coggan
October 2025
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Lacey Hughey and 3 more
December 2025
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Alex Rood
March 2026
February 2023
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Stephanie O'Donnell
January 2023
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| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| This works very well, and can remove the movie strip icons from the edges of the thumbnails, which obscure animals just coming into the frame. https://icaros.en.softonic... |
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AI for Conservation | 4 years 6 months ago | |
| Dan's comments about the need for technologists and conservationists to manage and share (properly annotated) data struck a chord with me, it was right at the end of the... |
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AI for Conservation, Data management and processing tools | 4 years 6 months ago | |
| Hi Alex, that sounds great! Feel free to email me at luisa.teixeira@vizzuality.com, that may be simpler. |
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AI for Conservation | 4 years 6 months ago | |
| Hi. Just watched the Youtube version (I'm in the unable to watch live hemisphere) and wanted to say that was a great talk. I wish it could have gone for another hour. I liked... |
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AI for Conservation, Camera Traps | 4 years 6 months ago | |
| The IUCN Otter Specialist Group is hosting a Virtual Eurasian Otter Workshop on 26-28.February.2021. There will be invited talks and... |
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AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, eDNA & Genomics | 4 years 6 months ago | |
| I know I'm very late, but I only discovered this recently. Is your team still active/accepting new members? |
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AI for Conservation | 4 years 7 months ago | |
| Hi @pmnguyen1224 , thanks for reaching out and checking out the system! We would love to help ensure that you're able to get pattern matching to work for... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation | 4 years 7 months ago | |
| Hi Andrew, Yo need to train a lightweight DNN model for bird flocks which can then be deployed on Raspberry Pi. For initial starters, you can look into the below tutorial:... |
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AI for Conservation | 4 years 8 months ago | |
| This is great, thanks for sharing. |
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AI for Conservation | 4 years 9 months ago | |
| Dear Zoe, I wonder whether FIT would be good for species-level (rather than individual level) identification of small mammals. We use track tunnels to get prints of dormice (3... |
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AI for Conservation, Emerging Tech | 4 years 9 months ago | |
| AI for Climate Forum: Lightning Talks Bonnie Lei, Microsoft AI for Earth - 4pm GMT, October 30 Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/... |
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AI for Conservation | 4 years 9 months ago | |
| Hi Wildlabbers, Just popping in to share this very cool primer for beginners to embedded machine learning from our tutor Daniel Situnayake! If you're interested in... |
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AI for Conservation, Camera Traps | 4 years 10 months ago |
