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WILDLABS logoWildlabs.net : The conservation technology network

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Just starting your conservation tech career path? Our Early Career group is the best place to network, chat about your master's projects, and seek advice from your peers and those who have been down this path before! Join now to get to know community members and students from around the world!

funding

Roddenberry Catalyst Grant (<$15,000)

Henry Rees

13 August 2024 1:36pm

The Catalyst Fund makes grants between $2,500–$15,000 to anyone, anywhere in the world who has an early-stage idea or project that addresses pressing global challenges. There is no deadline for this opportunity,...

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discussion

Volunteering in Bioacoustics

Cesar Rouer

10 July 2024 9:46am

Hi everyone! I have just joined Wildlabs and I am deeply passionate about bioacoustics and biodiversity conservation. I have been following various impactful work in the field...

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discussion

Looking for a data job in conservation

Alexander Merdian-Tarko

1 August 2024 1:21pm

Hi everybody,I've been around here on WILDLABS for a while and have been following what's going on. Yesterday I finally participated in the Variety Hour for the...

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Kim Lane

2 August 2024 8:06am

Hi Alex,

There are now many synergies between wildlife, conservation, and livestock. All are using geolocation software, and with the upcoming EUDR, it might be worth looking into this area. 

While it's not strictly conservation work, these companies could provide you with valuable connections. These connections could potentially lead to a role in conservation.

Kim

 

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discussion

AI accelerator for nonprofits working in the Climate area

Angelika Nocon

31 July 2024 3:01pm

Hello everyone! I'm here today to share an interesting opportunity with you! As part of the Tech To The Rescue team, I am thrilled to unveil our latest transformative initiative!...

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Angelika Nocon

1 August 2024 1:39pm

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 vision! :) I hope for the same in the Climate cohort!

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article

Internship opportunity, Honeyguide

Nyangeta Magesa

24 July 2024 11:48am

Honeyguide is grass roots, non-governmental organization based in Tanzania dedicated to support communities and their conservation of wildlife and natural resources

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Alex Rood

24 July 2024 5:18pm

Hi @nyangetamagesa , I'm Alex on the WILDLABS community team :) Thanks for sharing this! Unfortunately it looks like the deadline was July 23. In the future, career postings like...
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discussion

Advice on an educational pathway to a career in conservation tech? 

Robin Doolin

2 July 2024 1:10am

Hi everyone!I'm a new Wildlabs member, and I'm seeking advice on transitioning to a career in conservation tech. I have a BSc in Wildlife Ecology and experience as a field...

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Agripina Cletus

7 July 2024 8:26am

Transitioning into conservation tech with a background in wildlife ecology and an interest in AI involves choosing between a bridge program to an MSCS and a second undergraduate degree in Computer Science.

  • Bridge Program (to MSCS): Pros include efficiency and flexibility for future program choices, but it may not provide as deep a CS foundation as a full degree.
  • Second Undergraduate Degree (in CS): Offers thorough CS knowledge and academic immersion but requires more time and cost.

Considerations:

  • Career Goals: Applied roles may benefit from a bridge program, while a second degree could be better for research or PhD aspirations.
  • Program Quality: Evaluate reputation, curriculum, faculty, and alumni outcomes.
  • Practical Steps: Research programs, consult advisors, and consider online options for flexibility.

Choose based on how well each option aligns with your career goals and preferred learning style.

 

 

 

 

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discussion

Thoughts on new MSc in Conservation Technology

Emma Higgins

24 May 2024 3:54pm

Hello everyone, We are in the process of developing a new MSc in Conservation Technology at my university and would welcome your feedback. If you would be willing to give...

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Stephanie O'Donnell

29 May 2024 12:44pm

Building on Frank's comments, I'd also think about including some conversation about the ethical use of technology - Trishant's talk at Tech Tutors a little while ago sparked a really important conversation here in our community, one that would be valueable to have with your students. 

Emma Higgins

25 June 2024 9:19am

Hello, 

Thanks for your comments both, and the information, this is really helpful. I agree correct use and validation is so important here. And thank you for the contact for Kate, the course looks really interesting. 

Thank you for your offer, Frank, I'll send an email through. 

 

Best, 

 

Emma 

Alistair Stewart

29 June 2024 6:15am

It would be great to address data collection, handling and storage. It starts with keeping good records of field deployments so that devices can be refound and helps at the time of analysis and reporting and so studies can be reproduced. Having an understanding of metadata standards for data types as these are often overlooked when projects are starting up. Knowing if there are existing databases or repositories for your data or if you will have to 'roll your own' (something more than an Excel spreadsheet, or at least knowing the potential pitfalls of relying on spreadsheets). That would be a great advantage when entering the workforce and working in this field.

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article

Tanzania Take Two: Kicking off our new cohort of Women in Conservation Technology Programme 2024 

WILDLABS Team and 2 more

17 June 2024 5:47pm

Last week, we returned from the opening workshop of our third Women in Conservation Technology Programme, hosted by the Research and Innovation in the Serengeti Ecosystem (RISE) Institute at the Grumeti Fund. This...

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Victoria Mkessa

17 June 2024 7:45am

I'm so grateful to be part of this amazing and impactful program. I can't wait to see what these brilliant young ladies are going to achieve in the near future.
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article

NEW PUBLICATION ALERT!

Consolata Gathoni Gitau

17 June 2024 11:33am

One of the most thrilling moments for any researcher is seeing their hard work published for the world to see. As part of the Women in Conservation Technology (WiCT) Kenya Cohort One, we not only learnt about the use of...

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Esther Githinji

17 June 2024 12:57pm

Congratulations Consolata!!! So exciting to read this :)
Sarah Maagi

17 June 2024 7:40pm

Many congratulation Consolata for such a milestone.
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article

Into Conservation: participating in wildlife research at Grumeti-Ikorongo Game reserves.

Sarah Maagi

15 June 2024 7:08pm

As an early career conservationist with a keen interest in utilizing GIS for monitoring wildlife species and their habitats, the WiCT program has served as a pivotal platform for my professional development. 

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discussion

Conservation Technology for Human-Wildlife Conflict in Non-Protected Areas: Advice on Generating Evidence

Amit Kaushik

22 January 2024 11:36pm

Hello,I am interested in human-dominated landscapes around protected areas. In my case study, the local community does not get compensation because they are unable to provide...

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Chavoux Luyt

4 February 2024 8:16am

Hi Amit,

The most important thing is that the livestock owners contact you as soon as possible after finding the carcass. We commonly do two things if they contact us on the same day or just after the livestock was killed:

  1. Use CyberTracker (or similar software) on an Android smart phone to record all tracks, bite marks, feeding pattern and any other relevant signs of the reason for the loss with pictures and GPS coordinates. [BTW, Compensation is a big issue -- What do you do if the livestock was stolen? What do you do if a domestic animal killed the livestock? What if it died from disease or natural causes and was scavenged upon by carnivores afterwards?]
  2. In the case of most cats, they would hide the prey (or just mark it by covering it with grass or branches and urinating in the area). In this case you can put up a camera trap on the carcass to capture the animal when it returns to its kill (Reconyx is good if you can afford it - we use mostly Cuddeback with white flash). This will normally only work if the carcass is fresh (so other predators would not be able to smell it and not know where it is yet), so the camera only has to be up for 3-5 days max.

This is not really high-tech, but can be very useful to not only establish which predator was responsible (or if a predator was responsible), but also to record all the evidence for that.

Aaron Kennedy

13 June 2024 8:58pm

Hey Amit, 

This is a great question; from our work, we've seen people do a couple of things. We've even seen people using Ring doorbell footage in urban areas as evidence. 

The best thing we've seen is matching the community needs with existing infrastructure: 

  • Are there existing cameras you can leverage, like the doorbell cameras? 
  • Can public participation monitoring service this, i.e. public submitted photos and videos? 

It also totally depends on the wildlife species you're working with, the interaction, damages, etc. If you've found any good solutions, let me know. I'd love to share that information with our clients here who have constant bear problems. 

 

Kim Hendrikse

14 June 2024 9:09am

In that case, you might want to keep an eye on the project from @Lars_Holst_Hansen 



 

Read "I have been working hard on this camera based polar bear alarm with Kim Hendrikse and other collaborators including Zoologisk Have in Copenhagen - where the system is now beeing tested. | Lars Holst Hansen | 17 comments" on

I have been working hard on this camera based polar bear alarm with Kim Hendrikse and other collaborators including Zoologisk Have in Copenhagen - where the system is now beeing tested. | Lars Holst Hansen | 17 comments

I have been working hard on this camera based polar bear alarm with Kim Hendrikse and other collaborators including Zoologisk Have in Copenhagen - where the system is now beeing tested. I hope to field test it at Zackenberg Research Station next year. | 17 comments on LinkedIn

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