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
- @mbkowalski11
- | he/him
University of California Santa Cruz
PhD Student (UCSC, Wilmers Lab) interested in large carnivores, behavioral ecology, human-wildlife coexistence, and biologging
- 0 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 11 Groups
- @Morgane
- | Her/She
I am a highly motivated and passionate young professional, working for NGOs and nonprofits. Technologies, systems and change communications are my expertise and I am constantly looking to push the envelope of what a collaborative digital ecosystem looks like.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 3 Groups
- @kadambarid
- | she, her, hers
Dr. Kadambari Devarajan is an engineer-turned-ecologist working on biodiversity monitoring. (Website - http://kadambarid.in/)
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 14 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 10 Groups
- 1 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 13 Groups
Retired Engineer/Scientist/Entreprenuer
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 1 Groups
- @rosalie.tribe
- | She/her
Arm
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 5 Groups
- 1 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 2 Groups
- @magali
- | she/her
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Postdoctoral researcher at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 16 Groups
Faculty Manager for Higher Education. Lecturer in Animal Behaviour, Animal Welfare and Wildlife Conservation
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 11 Groups
I am a ecologist and conservationist particularly excited about tech to aid biodiversity monitoring with a growing interest in analytics and AI. I am also a Project Manager at Rainforest Connection.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 8 Groups
- @rgaston5
- | he/him
I am an educator, and a certified California Climate Steward. I have skills in machine learning and a passion for the environment and conservation
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 13 Groups
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
December 2023
November 2023
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The European project Nature FIRST is hosting its final conference at Ouwehands Dierenpark in the Netherlands on 25–26 June 2025,... |
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Community Base, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Data management and processing tools, Earth Observation 101 Community, Emerging Tech, Human-Wildlife Conflict, Protected Area Management Tools, Wildlife Crime | 19 hours 49 minutes ago | |
| Hi Nick,At Wildlife.ai, from the other side of the world, we would be happy to chat with you. PM if interested Victor |
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AI for Conservation, Emerging Tech | 2 days 11 hours 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 | 2 weeks 1 day 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 | 1 month 1 week ago | |
| 15 years ago I had to rebuild the dams on a game reserve I was managing due to flood damage and neglect. How I wished there was an easier,... |
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Drones, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Data management and processing tools, Emerging Tech, Geospatial, Open Source Solutions | 1 month 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 | 1 month 1 week 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 | 1 month 2 weeks 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 | 1 month 2 weeks 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 | 1 month 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 | 1 month 4 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 | 1 month 4 weeks ago | |
| Hi Nikita, If you haven't already, I'd recommend reaching out to the folks at the Cornell Ornithology lab. They're really glued into all things bird. In particular, I... |
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Animal Movement, Drones, Emerging Tech, Human-Wildlife Conflict | 2 months ago |
