Ten years ago, we couldn't have imagined how tools like machine learning, eDNA, and satellites would advance and transform conservation work. Now technology is advancing faster than ever, and as tools become smaller, lighter, and more affordable, it's vital to have a space where community members can discuss the next big thing, share ideas, compare tool options, and tell the story of their experiences - positive, negative, and anything in between - while using new technologies.
In 2021, the WILDLABS State of Conservation Tech report detailed what tools show the most promise according to community members, as well as what tools are currently seen as the most effective. And as new tools enter the field, we're excited to see how this data will change over time, and how this group grows over time as well.
Our State of Conservation Tech research also discusses something called the "Hype Cycle" - the pattern that occurs when a new technology bursts onto the scene, promises to be an exciting solution, encounters challenges as new users adopt the tool and put it into practice beyond just theory, and eventually settles into its most effective state as users acquire the right skills to use it to its actual potential. Machine learning, one of the most promising technologies, is currently in the middle of its own hype cycle, and we see community members working through their own hurdles to incorporate ML into their work effectively. Despite what you may think, this Hype Cycle can also be positive for tech development, as it means that users have big ideas for new tools, and with the right resources and skills, they can work toward bringing those ideas to life. And as our community members experiences the Hype Cycle for various tools at their own paces, we hope this group will also serve as a place to discuss that process and overcome hurdles together.
Ready to discover new possibilities? Join our Emerging Tech group now and get to know your forward-thinking conservation tech peers!
Header photo: Internet of Elephants
Technologist, birder, photographer and mountain guide.
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- 18 Groups
- @vandita_shukla
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PhD candidate studying drone flight planning for enabling tracking and identification of individual characteristics of wildlife; member of the WildDrone, an MSCA Doctoral Network funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research
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- 20 Groups
- @amykukulya
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Amy Kukulya is an ocean tech innovator and conservationist from the US. She has captured thrilling footage of megafauna using novel biologger and oceanrobotCams—SharkCam, TurtleCam featured across the globe on mainstream media outlets.
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- 7 Groups
- @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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- 14 Groups
Environmentalist and Python developer working in the realm of Remote Sensing. Fascinated by the intersection of technology and nature, with a focus on machine learning, ecological modeling, and biodiversity monitoring. 🌍
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- 11 Groups
Conservation Science Coordinator for the Giraffe Conservation FoundationCo-Chair of IUCN Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group
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- 1 Discussions
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- @LindyClydeKnowles
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- 6 Discussions
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- @nadyam
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Michigan State University
Conservation geneticist at Michigan State University. Co-founder of iCatch. Solving problems in monitoring, traceability, and enforcement through rapid species identification tech.
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- 3 Discussions
- 6 Groups
- @Alex.S
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MSc Marine Biologist and Data Scientist, Co-Founder and CSO & CTO of Galene Pathways
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- 8 Groups
- @Hansa
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- @KelseyGrace
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Hello! I am PhD student studying Animal behaviour and welfare at the University of Lincoln. I am specializing in studying gopher tortoise cognition and applying what we learn to conservation practices.
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Article
GRO is the story of what on Earth is going on
Esther Githinji
Why you should know about Kenya-founded data analytics company - Gro Intelligence, arguably the largest funded tech startup within the African startup ecosystem and the only platform that brings together live, global...
5 May 2023
Careers
Machine Learning Researcher - Computer Vision (Remote)
Cameron Frayling
We are a team of ecologists and technologists who believe good business must be good for nature. We’re building an economy that puts nature and business in balance by incentivising the restoration of nature at scale.
2 May 2023
Article
Running a startup addressing the biodiversity crisis and generating early revenues or looking to pivot your business model? Don’t miss this great chance to grow alongside a like-minded community of founders, investors,...
2 May 2023
Building on the previous GSMA Innovation Fund for Climate Resilience and Adaptation, the objective of this new Fund is to pilot and scale-up digital technology innovations that make a positive socio-economic and...
21 April 2023
Careers
Office & Warehouse Exec
SafetyNet Technologies
We create Precision Fishing technology to help commercial fishermen catch their target species more consistently & sustainably.
5 April 2023
Careers
Hardware Lead - Biodiversity / Conservation
Ben Williamson
New role at Pivotal Earth
4 April 2023
Link
The WILDLABS Variety Hour: March 2023 - YouTube
Stephanie O'Donnell
If you missed our Variety Hour show yesterday, do not fear! It's already live on youtube for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!
30 March 2023
Careers
Skylight | LATAM & Caribbean Partner Relationship Manager
Jordan Steward
Skylight is looking for someone who loves our ocean, has a deep interest in apply cutting-edge tech to protect it, is proficient in English and Spanish, and has a background in partnership building and training.
10 March 2023
Article
New paper in Trends in Parasitology discusses how acoustic monitoring can be used to assess presence and overlap of host or reservoir species, disease vectors and human activity.
8 March 2023
Careers
Proposals wanted for Innovation in Practice
Ellie Warren
The Innovation in Practice edition of Methods in Ecology and Evolution is still seeking proposals about conservation technology
6 March 2023
Link
The WILDLABS Variety Hour: February 2023 - YouTube
Stephanie O'Donnell
Last week's Variety Hour is now up on youtube. It was a great session - we covered Moveapps, an awesome community project building marine biologgers, chatgpt and google earth engine vs microsoft's planetary computer....
3 March 2023
Careers
US Sales Manager for Fishing Tech (full time)
SafetyNet Technologies
We develop Precision Fishing technology to help commercial fishermen catch their target species more consistently & sustainably.
27 February 2023
June 2025
event
Nalini
event
Joel Masselink
July 2025
February 2024
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Catherine Greene
December 2023
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
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| Hi Dan, Not right now but I can envision many uses. A key problem in RS is data streams for validation and training of ML models, its really not yet a solved problem. Any... |
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Emerging Tech, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Build Your Own Data Logger Community, Camera Traps, Connectivity, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Data management and processing tools, Geospatial, Sensors | 3 months ago | |
| Hey Wildlabers,Our group aims to create a low-cost hydrophone for research, education and citizen science. We are soon to build our first... |
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Conservation Tech Training and Education, Emerging Tech, Software Development | 3 months 2 weeks ago | |
| @HeinrichS there’s still time for you or anyone else to make a funding submission to the wildlabs 2025 grants ❤️❤️❤️I haven't applied for wildlabs funding, but I would love for... |
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Human-Wildlife Conflict, AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Emerging Tech | 4 months 1 week ago | |
| Steve and I are looking to develop a low-cost benthic drift camera with a live video feed. Our hope is to use an acoustic modem to give us a low quality feed for navigation /... |
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Marine Conservation, Build Your Own Data Logger Community, Connectivity, Emerging Tech, Open Source Solutions | 5 months ago | |
| Bird Monitoring Data Exchange is a standard often used for birds data. |
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AI for Conservation, Data management and processing tools, Emerging Tech | 5 months 3 weeks ago | |
| Hats off to your team for this absolute game-changing technology! We rescue stray and wild animals in Taiwan, and the bulk of our work is saving animals maimed by wire snares... |
+37
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AI for Conservation, Drones, Emerging Tech, Human-Wildlife Conflict, Wildlife Crime | 6 months ago | |
| No problem at all Yu (@JY) and good luck with your studies! Happy to discuss this and any other ideas any time.All the best,Rob |
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Sensors, Animal Movement, Connectivity, Drones, Open Source Solutions, Emerging Tech | 6 months 3 weeks ago | |
| I've been trying to build a a framework that would then allow for the integration of technological advancements, AI and all, in a manner... |
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Emerging Tech | 7 months ago | |
| Jared's answer is excellent IMHO. One level down, you have a couple of options. One is to charge for the convenience of buying a finished, assembled, and tested product, that's... |
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Emerging Tech, Funding and Finance, Open Source Solutions | 7 months 1 week ago | |
| Odor based methods would be interesting. Provided they didn't need to be replenished too often.We find varied stimulus prevents habituation. |
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AI for Conservation, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Emerging Tech, Human-Wildlife Conflict | 7 months 4 weeks ago | |
| I found this interesting |
+48
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AI for Conservation, Emerging Tech | 9 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Getting to you. |
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Climate Change, Emerging Tech | 9 months 2 weeks ago |
