Group curators
Pen-Yuan Hsing
- @Nycticebus_scientia
- | he/they
MammalWeb.org
Amanda Matthes
Brianna Johns
- @briannajohns
- | she/they
Gathering for Open Science Hardware (GOSH)
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
Careers
Hardware Lead - Biodiversity / Conservation
Ben Williamson
New role at Pivotal Earth
4 April 2023
Link
$500 micro grants for open science events
Andrew Quitmeyer
The gathering for open science hardware is giving up grants for people putting on events that promote open science hardware A simple and free application! https://forum.openhardware.science/t/usd-500-microgrants-...
10 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
Article
The Arbimon newsletter is back!
Carly Batist
Rainforest Connection (RFCx) is bringing back the Arbimon newsletter for 2023! We're excited to share new features and tools of the platform, what's coming up, and some insights into our projects on bioacoustic...
23 February 2023
Careers
Technology to End the Sixth Mass Extinction. Salary: $104k-144K; Location: Washington DC or Seattle WA, potential hybrid; 5+ years of Full stack development experience; Deadline March 15th - view post for full job...
10 February 2023
Careers
Software Engineer
Anne Dangerfield
Join the Arribada Initiative! We have a unique opportunity for a software developer to create mobile / desktop applications and intuitive user interfaces that assist researchers and fieldworkers to conserve wildlife.
16 January 2023
Link
Sending real-time alerts from ecological sensors such as camera traps in areas with poor data connectivity is complex and involves integrating a large number of potentially complex hardware and software components. Our...
13 January 2023
Careers
Join NASA’s harmful algal bloom ML challenge and win prizes!
Katie Wetstone
Using satellite imagery to detect and classify the severity of cyanobacteria blooms in small, inland water bodies.
15 December 2022
Careers
Junior Electrical Engineer (Hardware)
Lindsay Starke
As the FieldKit hardware ecosystem grows, Conservify is seeking a Junior Electrical Engineer to assist with testing, troubleshooting, prototype development, and developing production test fixtures for our growing...
9 December 2022
Careers
Senior Software Engineer
Lindsay Starke
Conservify is seeking a hands-on Senior Software Engineer with front end and back end experience developing rich web and mobile applications, and a strong desire to build a best-in-class product that stands out in both...
9 December 2022
Careers
Senior Product & Production Manager (Maternity Cover)
Lindsay Starke
Conservify is seeking a hands-on Senior Product and Production Manager with strong interpersonal and organizational skills to remotely lead a small seasoned team of thinkers, designers and engineers who are shaping the...
9 December 2022
August 2025
event
Louisa Richmond-Coggan
September 2025
event
Louisa Richmond-Coggan
event
Louisa Richmond-Coggan
October 2025
event
Lacey Hughey and 3 more
August 2023
July 2023
event
Alasdair Davies
June 2023
event
Hirari Sasaki
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yep we are working on it 1/ segment 2/remote unwanted ecosytem3/get local potential habitat4/generate5/add to picture |
|
Geospatial, AI for Conservation, Data management and processing tools, Open Source Solutions, Software Development | 4 months 2 weeks ago | |
| All sound, would be nice if there were only 5, though! |
|
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 | |
| It's great to see so much interest in presenting at this webinar. We have also received interest through direct messages and meetings that we've happened to have had. Thank you... |
|
Open Source Solutions, Community Base, Funding and Finance | 5 months 1 week ago | |
| Thanks again for the interesting discussion everyone! Just a note that while I touched on it in my opening post above, there were still questions in this thread about what... |
+28
|
Open Source Solutions, AI for Conservation, Ethics of Conservation Tech, Software Development | 5 months 1 week ago | |
| Thanks @VAR1 great insights! Funny you mentioned the honey thing, @hikinghack said the same in response on the GOSH forum. I think the point I'm trying to make with the vegan... |
|
Open Source Solutions, AI for Conservation, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Ethics of Conservation Tech, Geospatial, Software Development | 5 months 1 week ago | |
| Sure, Akio! Happy to answer!1. Yes, something like that. The few existing i guess applied already for GPS collar (literally collar) that usually for big cats and some other big... |
|
Sensors, Animal Movement, Open Source Solutions | 5 months 1 week ago | |
| How much does it cost to incorporate machine learning into your conservation drone geospatial analysis? How does it speed up your workflow... |
|
Conservation Tech Training and Education, Drones, Geospatial, Open Source Solutions, Sensors, Software Development | 5 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Another question. Right now pretty much all camera traps trigger on either PIR sensors or small AI models. Small AI models would tend to have a limitation that they would... |
|
AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools, Open Source Solutions, Software Development | 6 months ago | |
| Hi Lorenzo,I highly recommend the OpenSoundscapes package (developed by the Kitzes Lab at U Pittsburgh) - there are workflows to build your own CNNs there, the documentation is... |
|
Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Open Source Solutions | 6 months 1 week ago | |
| Thanks! I am familiar with EarthRanger but wasn't aware it could be used for behavioural data collection |
+6
|
Build Your Own Data Logger Community, Data management and processing tools, Open Source Solutions | 6 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 /... |
|
Marine Conservation, Build Your Own Data Logger Community, Connectivity, Emerging Tech, Open Source Solutions | 7 months 4 weeks ago | |
| Today, I'm really grateful for the chance to present at the first WILDLABS Open Source Solutions online community meeting. Here are two... |
|
Open Source Solutions | 8 months 1 week ago |
