Despite critical advancements in the tech solutions available to conservationists worldwide, many existing tools are cost-prohibitive in the landscapes that need them most. Additionally, those who create low-cost and open-source alternatives to pricey market tech often operate on tight budgets themselves, meaning they need more resources to promote their solutions to a broader market. We need increased communication around these solutions to highlight their availability, share lessons learned in their creation, and avoid duplication of efforts.
This group is a place to share low-cost, open-source devices for conservation; describe how they are used, including what needs they are addressing and how they fit into the wider conservation tech market; identify the obstacles in advancing the capacity of these technologies; and to discuss the future of these solutions, particularly their sustainability and how best to collaborate moving forward. We welcome contributions from both makers and users, whether active or prospective.
Here is how we see the current OSS space and how this group plans to change it by supporting both makers and users:
Many users do not appreciate the significant benefits of open-source tech. This group will educate users about the advantages and the need for open-source tech, specifically in the context of ecology work. We achieve this by stimulating regular discussions on the forum and by encouraging and supporting users to use open-source tools wherever possible.
Building OSS can be difficult. We want to support both established and potential makers who wish to develop OSS. The OSS group is a place where makers can find funding opportunities, ask current and potential users questions, and share their technologies.
Using OSS can be difficult. We also want to support adopters of OSS tech. We do this by offering a place for users to share challenges they face and crowdsource advice on things like technology choice or technical support.
Makers do not know what users want or need. The OSS group is a place that facilitates conversations between makers and users. This will give users a voice and ensure that makers are aware of the needs of users, enabling them to build better solutions.
The community is small and scattered. We want to grow an inclusive community of OSS practitioners. Our goal is to become the go-to place for discussions on the topic where people feel a sense of belonging.
Resources for getting started
- How do I use open source remote sensing data in Google Earth Engine? | Tech Tutors
- How do I use open source remote sensing data to monitor fishing? | Tech Tutors
- Low Cost, Open Source Solutions | Virtual Meetup
- What would an open source conservation technology toolkit look like? | Discussion
- December 2024 Open Source Solutions Community Call
Header image: Shawn F. McCracken
Group curators
- @Nycticebus_scientia
- | he/they
MammalWeb.org
Co-founded citizen science camera-trapping project with interest in developing 100% open source wildlife tech. Advocate for open science/open research. Former Community Councilor of the Gathering for Open Science Hardware.



- 4 Resources
- 25 Discussions
- 3 Groups
trying to understand and improve the welfare of all animals that can suffer


- 4 Resources
- 6 Discussions
- 7 Groups
- @briannajohns
- | she/they
Gathering for Open Science Hardware (GOSH)
Interested in the application of open source technologies for conservation research.



- 9 Resources
- 5 Discussions
- 4 Groups
No showcases have been added to this group yet.
- @eleanorhorvath
- | she/her
Water Daughter
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 10 Groups
- @Jen_NZ
- | she/her
- 0 Resources
- 3 Discussions
- 7 Groups
- @cappel
- | she/her
Wildlife Science PhD candidate working on computer vision with camera traps and bioacoustics
- 0 Resources
- 5 Discussions
- 13 Groups
- @capreolus
- | he/him
Capreolus e.U.
wildlife biologist with capreolus.at





- 1 Resources
- 78 Discussions
- 16 Groups
- @JakobWiren
- | He,him
Swedish soon-to-be graduate engineer in AI/ML and robotics. Writing my master thesis in using decision trees for anti-poaching in Limpopo, South Africa. Am passionate about conservation, AI and travelling. Help me find a way to help you!
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 13 Groups
Software Engineer, Web Developer, Tech Enthusiast. I am software engineer with a background in instrumentation, primarily developing using C/C ++. Skilled in web development, with a Grad Cert in Web Development. Enjoy experimenting with tech, e.g. Raspberry Pi, Arduino and IoT.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 7 Groups
Conservation X Labs
Inventor/Engineer at Parula Innovations, Hardware Engineer for Sentinel at Conservation X Labs, (Recovering) Field Biologist
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 6 Groups
- @Jmortensen
- | he/him
I am a software engineering student making a career pivot from hands-on habitat conservation.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 4 Groups
Research software engineer working in computer vision for animal behaviour
- 1 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 13 Groups
- @ppalencia
- | Dr
I am Pablo Palencia, a postdoctoral researcher at Biodiversity Research Institute (IMIB). I am interested on develop and fine-tuning cutting-edge tools for wildlife management and conservation, wit a special mention of camera trapping ;)
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 7 Groups
Natural Solutions
Computational ecologist - Engineer at Natural Solutions (France)



- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 13 Groups
The World Can Be Better
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 9 Groups
In this instalment: BioSense for environmental sensing, a UV data logger, KRILLSCAN for estimating krill biomass and more!
3 October 2024
Article
SnapperGPS is an open source GNSS receiver for non-real-time wildlife tracking. Learn more about the project below!
1 October 2024
Article
In this instalment: HyperCoast for hyperspectral data, Fluxbot 2.0 for soil CO2 flux sensing, BirdVoxDetect for identifying bird calls, snipit for single nucleotide polymorphism visualisation and more!
15 September 2024
The OpenFlexure Microscope is a low-cost, open source, and customizable microscope used worldwide. Find out more about the project and its benefits to conservation and ecology research in this post!
22 August 2024
Join us in celebrating this year’s Judging Panele Award winners!
19 August 2024
Join us in celebrating this year’s Community Choice Award winners!
15 August 2024
Vote for your favorite submissions that best demonstrate conservation impact, novel innovation/discovery, and strong storytelling of the work and the sector.
12 August 2024
Article
In this instalment: ExMove for handling animal tracking data, HawkEar for spying on animals using cameras on birds, Pytorch-wildlife for species recognition and more!
11 August 2024
We are thrilled to welcome our 3 new Group Leaders for the 2024-2025 term, Bri Johns, Amanda Matthes, and Pen-Yuan Hsing!
8 August 2024
We are recruiting an (extendable) 2-year postdoc in my group to develop new technologies (cameras, microphones, deep learning, etc) to track earthworm activity in the field.
16 July 2024
Hi everyone - I wanted to share a fantastic opportunity at Keele University for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) position with Arribada Initiative: to be responsible for developing and writing embedded software to...
8 July 2024
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Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
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