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
Wildlife conservationist currently working on biodiversity monitoring and community development for AFOLU VCS & CCB projects.
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- 14 Groups
Web & connected devices (IOT) developer, software development manager and passionate environmentalist.
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- 5 Groups
Saint Louis Zoo & Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute
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- 1 Discussions
- 7 Groups
I work in sustainability and social impact in the tech sector, and study AI, Ethics & Society at Cambridge. For my dissertation, I am investigating the ethical and societal implications of wildlife conservation technologies.
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- 4 Groups
- @nickschurch
- | Dr
Principal Statistician for Ecology and Environmental Science with Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland.
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- 7 Groups
Zoological Society London (ZSL)
Water-landing fixed-wing drones in marine ecology and maritime surveillance in MPAs and beyond.
- 1 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 10 Groups
Stanford University
Doctoral Research at Stanford University | Interested in data science and observational approaches for issues in coastal health
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- 8 Groups
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
Video producer, videographer and editor for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
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- 5 Groups
- @patrick
- | He/Him
Space signal processing engineer by day, environmental data analyst by night.
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- 10 Groups
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- 2 Groups
Conservation Newbie, Technologist, Applications Developer, Hardware Tinkerer
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- 17 Discussions
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- @Alex_Tytgat
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Junior machine learning engineer with a background in data science and physics
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- 20 Groups
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
Article
Introducing The Inventory!
Jake Burton
The Inventory is your one-stop shop for conservation technology tools, organisations, and R&D projects. Start contributing to it now!
1 May 2024
Careers
Hiring Chief Engineer at Conservation X Labs
Henrik Cox
Technology to End the Sixth Mass Extinction. Salary: $132 - $160k; Location: Seattle WA; 7+ years of experience in hardware product development and manufacturing; View post for full job description
1 May 2024
Article
Earth Blox dataset review: Meta Global Canopy Height (1m)
Cassie Anderson
Review by Professor Iain H Woodhouse
29 April 2024
Careers
The Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute is seeking a Program Manager to help coordinate multiple organizations in an effort to integrate movement data & camera trap data with global...
22 April 2024
Link
Technology Trends that Would Drive Business Innovation in 2024
Indepth Research Institute
The rapidly evolving digital landscape and its fusion with business operations has given rise to a new buzzword: Digital Transformation. Therefore, there’s been an urgent imperative for organizations to adopt digital...
19 April 2024
Article
In a recent publication we tested Underwater Passive Acoustic Monitoring (UPAM) as a feasible non-invasive technique to study the calling behavior of therathened aquatic Andean frogs under natural conditions in the...
6 April 2024
June 2025
event
Nalini
event
Joel Masselink
July 2025
October 2023
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
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| Thank you for the help! |
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Animal Movement, Emerging Tech | 1 year 3 months ago | |
| Hi Danilo. you seem very passionate about this initiative which is a good start.It is an interesting coincidence that I am starting another project for the coral reefs in the... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Camera Traps, Citizen Science, Climate Change, Community Base, Connectivity, Drones, Emerging Tech, Human-Wildlife Conflict, Open Source Solutions, Sensors, Software Development, Wildlife Crime, Funding and Finance | 1 year 3 months ago | |
| Hi!I would take a look at Although developed for camera trap imagery, it is by no means restricted to such.Cheers,Lars |
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Camera Traps, Community Base, Data management and processing tools, Drones, Emerging Tech, Geospatial, Software Development | 1 year 3 months ago | |
| Hi folks! Happy 2024 and thanks in advance for your patience in case I over-used tags. If you’re using any form of natural language... |
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AI for Conservation, Citizen Science, Climate Change, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Data management and processing tools, Early Career, East Africa Community, Emerging Tech, Ending Wildlife Trafficking Online, Ethics of Conservation Tech, Human-Wildlife Conflict, Open Source Solutions, Software Development, Wildlife Crime, Women in Conservation Tech Programme (WiCT) | 1 year 4 months ago | |
| Will you accept personal/hobbyist focused on conservation on their small plots of land (10-100 acres)?I would, and know others, who would happily pay more than the official... |
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Camera Traps, Climate Change, Community Base, Connectivity, Emerging Tech, Human-Wildlife Conflict, Sensors, Wildlife Crime | 1 year 5 months ago | |
| Thank you Stefan! Will follow up with your email shortly. |
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Acoustics, Emerging Tech, Ethics of Conservation Tech | 1 year 5 months ago | |
| @JakeBurton and @HollyCormack have a first look at The Inventory, a WILDLABS project to build a dynamic, collaborative, wiki-inspired... |
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Emerging Tech | 1 year 5 months ago | |
| @TaliaSpeaker and @Fanni joined our last Variety Hour to talk us through the key trends and takeaways from this first global assessment... |
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Emerging Tech, Community Base | 1 year 5 months ago | |
| I always thought a tracker that attached like a slap bracelet would be sweet. |
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Emerging Tech, Footprint Identification Technique (FIT), Sensors | 1 year 5 months ago | |
| My suggestion would probably be a 3D printer and Solder Station with a stock of common components. With those two things you can solve most problems. |
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Community Base, Emerging Tech, Marine Conservation, Protected Area Management Tools, Sensors | 1 year 5 months ago | |
| Hi Emma, In your new project, if you have interest in a direct to satellite platform perspective, you can contact me on info@cerestag.com Would be interested to see your outcomes... |
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Emerging Tech, Ethics of Conservation Tech | 1 year 7 months ago | |
| Makes sense if you have the cash... |
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Animal Movement, Climate Change, Sensors, Build Your Own Data Logger Community, Emerging Tech | 1 year 8 months ago |
