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. Community member of the Gathering for Open Science Hardware.
- 3 Resources
- 24 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
- 4 Discussions
- 4 Groups
- 1 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 7 Groups
- @womble
- | he/him
AI Researcher, with 30+ years experience in academia and industry. Currently consulting for a company using drone imagery to analyse property heat loss. Expertise in machine learning, NLP, python, Google Cloud. https://julianrichardson.net
- 0 Resources
- 6 Discussions
- 6 Groups
- @Harsha
- | He/Him
I am a marine biologist / acoustic ecologist from Australia. Fascinated by bioacoustics, I always look forward to learning from people in conservation!
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 11 Groups
- @adamsteer
- | Dr/He/Him
Researcher and consultant focused on snow, ice and landscapes, drone pilot, lidar and airborne remote sensing analyst. Based in Australia, thinks a lot about connected systems in mountain and polar landscapes. Open source geospatial specialist.
- 0 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 4 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 3 Discussions
- 8 Groups
- @LucyD
- | She/Her
Software developer and wildlife ecologist
- 0 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 5 Groups
- @PhilAtkin
- | He/Him
Embedded software developer of 40+ years experience, hardware designer.
- 3 Resources
- 22 Discussions
- 6 Groups
- @stevef
- | he/him
Tech Matters
Project Director, Terraso.org (1000 Landscapes for 1 Billion People): open source software for farmers, ranchers & communities.
- 0 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 4 Groups
- @IvanIoSA
- | He/Him
CTO of IoSA, the Internet of Small Animals. Creator of ProxLogs
- 0 Resources
- 5 Discussions
- 7 Groups
St. Lawrence University
Professor of Biology at St. Lawrence University
- 0 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 13 Groups
- @diego_lizcano
- | He/Him
Wildlife biologist interested in biodiversity monitoring and the conservation of mammals. Passionate photographer.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 7 Groups
Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior
- 0 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 5 Groups
Article
Join us in celebrating this year’s Judging Panele Award winners!
19 August 2024
Article
Join us in celebrating this year’s Community Choice Award winners!
15 August 2024
Article
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
July 2024 OSS paper round-up
Amanda Matthes
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
Article
Open Source Solutions Announcement: Introducing New OSS Group Leaders
Brianna Johns and 2 more
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
Careers
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
Link
Keele University - KTP position
Claire Painton
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
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
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
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
May 2025
June 2025
event
Nalini
October 2025
event
Lacey Hughey and 3 more
May 2023
December 2022
October 2022
event
Carly Batist
September 2022
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thanks so much!! |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Camera Traps, Community Base, Data management and processing tools, Drones, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech, Open Source Solutions, Geospatial, Software Development | 2 years 7 months ago | |
| I've been working with a current visiting scholar who's from China and has been interested in getting started with some acoustic monitoring studies when he goes back to China... |
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Open Source Solutions | 2 years 10 months ago | |
| If you're looking to identify collaborators - probably lots of organizations listed in the Conservation Tech Directory would be interested (quick prelim search yields orgs like... |
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Marine Conservation, Open Source Solutions | 2 years 11 months ago | |
| Hey all!I'm well into my journey into the field of conservation now, after volunteering and freelancing for a couple of different... |
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Animal Movement, Community Base, Open Source Solutions | 2 years 11 months ago | |
| Dear Community,Together with Hackster.io, Seeed Studio is very happy to jointly organize “IoT Into the Wild Contest for Sustainable Plant... |
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AI for Conservation, Connectivity, Emerging Tech, Open Source Solutions, Sensors | 2 years 11 months ago | |
| There are only a few days left to apply to the 2022 Gathering for Open Science Hardware! Join a community of scientists, hardware developers, artists, and activists... |
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Community Base, Open Source Solutions | 3 years ago | |
| We are excited to announce that the 2022 Gathering will be held in Panamá from October 26-29. Applications to attend are now open,... |
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Open Source Solutions | 3 years 1 month ago | |
| The Gathering for Open Science Hardware (GOSH) has opened its second round of regional events funding! This program is perfect for groups... |
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Community Base, Open Source Solutions | 3 years 2 months ago | |
| At IUCN, we are collecting examples of best practices and case studies of tech use in and around protected and conserved... |
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Open Source Solutions | 3 years 2 months ago | |
| Hi Wildlabbers! Tomorrow Shah Selbe will be our Tech Tutor and guide us through how to turn an innovative conservation tech... |
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Open Source Solutions, Sensors | 3 years 6 months ago | |
| Hi Akiba, Just found out from the marketing dept at my work the cost to host multiple specs - very expensive [$NZ 7K-10K]. Host it on GitHub for starters then. I... |
+18
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Open Source Solutions | 4 years ago | |
| Amazingly nice offer! Thanks! I know how projects can sometimes be stressful. I had a bit of that feeling lately when having to figure out how to code a trap alarm my... |
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Open Source Solutions | 4 years 1 month ago |
