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
No showcases have been added to this group yet.
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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Conservation Science Coordinator for the Giraffe Conservation FoundationCo-Chair of IUCN Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group
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- @LindyClydeKnowles
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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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- @Alex.S
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MSc Marine Biologist and Data Scientist, Co-Founder and CSO & CTO of Galene Pathways
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- @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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- @bioNathan
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Innovation Design Engineer studying at MSc + MA level. Previously a Robotics engineer with specialisms in remote sensing, control systems & electronics design. Transitioning to ecological contexts. I use bioinspiration to inform tech design, both product & infrastructure.
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Tech 4 Conservation
President, Tech 4 Conservation
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- @donovantye
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Savanna Ecologist, Field Station Director and Head of Conservation Tech Projects for Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS).
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Article
Listen to the Future: A Bioacoustics Horizon Scan
Vanesa Reyes
We are thrilled to introduce our new horizon scan, which will chart the future of bioacoustics. By collectively prioritizing emerging innovations that could transform the field, we aim to build consensus, facilitate...
5 August 2024
Link
Rapid Camera Trap labeling with ChatGPT
Sara Olsson
Hi all, I've published a blog post on rapidly labeling camera trap data using ChatGPT for species identification and a simple object detection model to get the bounding boxes. While presented in Edge Impulse, this...
17 July 2024
Article
Enter to win a free thermal camera!
Alex Rood
WILDLABS is partnering with FLIR to give away a FLIR ONE Edge Pro to 5 community members.
26 June 2024
Article
Case Study: Drone-based radio-tracking of Eastern Bandicoots
Wildlife Drones
Wildlife Drones was deployed by Zoos Victoria in a trial project tracking captive-bred Eastern Barred Bandicoots that were tagged and released into the wild
14 June 2024
Funding
€4,000 travel grants are available for researchers interested in insect monitoring using automated cameras and computer vision
6 June 2024
Article
New WILDLABS Funding & Finance group
Frank van der Most
WildLabs will soon launch a 'Funding and Finance' group. What would be your wish list for such a group? Would you be interested in co-managing or otherwise helping out?
5 June 2024
Funding
Apply! 2024 Conservation Tech Award
Jordan Steward
Now accepting applications for two $15,000 grants to help protect wildlife through cutting-edge, technology-driven efforts
3 June 2024
Article
Share Your Work in a Conservation Technology Video
Robin Marti Sarasa
Do you have photos and videos of your conservation tech work? We want to include them in a conservation technology showcase video
17 May 2024
Article
In 1987, sustainability was defined by the United Nations Brundtland Commission as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”In 1987,...
7 May 2024
Funding
Travel grants for insect monitoring an AI
Tom August
€2,000 travel grants are available for researchers interested in insect monitoring using automated cameras and computer vision
3 May 2024
Careers
Save the Elephants is seeking a Principal Investigator for our Elephant Collective Behaviour Project. This role will spearhead research initiatives using cutting-edge video analysis tools to study elephant group...
1 May 2024
Article
The Inventory User Guide
Jake Burton
Read in detail about how to use The Inventory, our new living directory of conservation technology tools, organisations, and R&D projects.
1 May 2024
August 2025
event
Louisa Richmond-Coggan
September 2025
event
Louisa Richmond-Coggan
event
Louisa Richmond-Coggan
March 2026
March 2024
February 2024
event
Catherine Greene
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
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| Hello, could you please elaborate on what the purpose of this project is? Thanks a lot :) Lukas |
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AI for Conservation, Emerging Tech, Sensors | 2 months 1 week ago | |
| Hi, My name is Gina. I'm currently working on my Bachelor's Thesis and would like some feedback on my final concept. It is a ... |
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Acoustics, Emerging Tech, Marine Conservation, Sensors, Women in Conservation Tech Programme (WiCT) | 2 months 1 week ago | |
| I'm excited to see this project begin; I think its focus on versatility and functionality for users in diverse environments will allow Trapper Keeper to have a broad impact,... |
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Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools, Emerging Tech, Open Source Solutions, Software Development | 2 months 2 weeks ago | |
| HiThis is great! So just to double check - there is no way to join online? I would love to be part of this conference. Thanks, Els van Lavieren |
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Community Base, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Data management and processing tools, Emerging Tech, Human-Wildlife Coexistence, Protected Area Management Tools, Wildlife Crime | 2 months 2 weeks ago | |
| True, the US ecosystem is a challenging space right now, for basically all sectors. We should not let the US chaos prevent us from engaging with opportunities in other... |
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AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Connectivity, Drones, Emerging Tech, Ethics of Conservation Tech, Marine Conservation, Sensors | 4 months ago | |
| Hi Ryan, hmm, I had no idea there was a microphone named that. I thought about how it’s used to lure birds for netting, and I like Greek Mythology. I thought it was a perfect fit... |
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Acoustics, Emerging Tech, Funding and Finance, Protected Area Management Tools, Software Development | 4 months 1 week ago | |
| My name is Frank Short and I am a PhD Candidate at Boston University in Biological Anthropology. I am currently doing fieldwork in Indonesia using machine-learning powered passive... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Data management and processing tools, Early Career, Emerging Tech, Ethics of Conservation Tech, Protected Area Management Tools, Software Development | 3 months 1 week ago | |
| Hi, we've gotten more than 20 replies until now so thank you if you took the time to answer.And we would really appreciate if you could spare a few minutes to answer if you haven'... |
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Emerging Tech, Animal Movement, Build Your Own Data Logger Community | 4 months ago | |
| Reposting the original post from the GOSH Community:Cool news from the mothbox team! We still don’t have any funding, but our next big goal... |
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Open Source Solutions, Emerging Tech, Funding and Finance | 4 months 1 week ago | |
| Yep see you on friday |
+3
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Geospatial, Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Citizen Science, Community Base, Data management and processing tools, Emerging Tech, Open Source Solutions, Protected Area Management Tools | 4 months 3 weeks ago | |
| All sound, would be nice if there were only 5, though! |
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AI for Conservation, Citizen Science, Data management and processing tools, Emerging Tech, Ethics of Conservation Tech, Funding and Finance, Geospatial, Open Source Solutions, Software Development | 4 months 3 weeks ago | |
| Hi, Thank you for your message I think there's some kind of application for this app not by itself by complementing technologies like NABIT, mentioned in an earlier comment.... |
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Emerging Tech, Community Base | 4 months 3 weeks ago |
