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.
Wildlife Protection Solutions (WPS)
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 8 Groups
- @KathHecht
- | she/her
I am a biologist/ecologist without concrete specialisation. New Zealand's unique but fragile flora & fauna have taught me the importance of increasing awareness with locals and visitors alike. This is my constant motivator.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 10 Groups
An ex-Physicist getting involved in conservation through tech and interpreting/translating (EN-PT). tiagosarmento.co.uk
- 1 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 4 Groups
- @tmcgrath
- | He / Him
Geographer, Program Manager, Engineering Manager
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 11 Groups
Lecturer and researcher interested in rural applications of Interaction Design. Spent more than a decade teaching in Asia-Pacific (India, China, Singapore, Australia); now based at Glasgow School of Art's rural campus in Forres, Scottish Highlands.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 5 Groups
- @kricherds
- | she/her
Technologist. Civic Science Fellow & Data Inclusion Specialist at OEDP.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 14 Groups
- @NinaTuttie
- | She
An avid learner interested in wildlife ecology, conservation technology and community development
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 8 Groups
- @KiaraHaylock
- | She/Her
PhD in Animal Ecology and Behavioural Physiology. Interested in the movement, behavioural and physiological responses of animals to environmental variability.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 13 Groups
20+ years traveler and management consultant turned tech founder and conservationist. Founder & CEO of ZAMBEZI ZERØ; super intelligence to safeguard biodiversity.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 15 Groups
Sea Mammal Research Unit Univ' St Andrews
I work in marine bioacoustics with a focus on the conservation of marine mammals. Most of the time I'm developing and using passive acoustic technology to study the underwater behaviour of dolphins and porpoises. I'm also a keen developer on the PAMGuard project.
- 0 Resources
- 23 Discussions
- 6 Groups
- @brunameneses
- | she/her
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 8 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 8 Groups
Article
September 2024 OSS paper round-up
Amanda Matthes
In this instalment: BioSense for environmental sensing, a UV data logger, KRILLSCAN for estimating krill biomass and more!
3 October 2024
Article
Project Spotlight: SnapperGPS
Brianna Johns
SnapperGPS is an open source GNSS receiver for non-real-time wildlife tracking. Learn more about the project below!
1 October 2024
Article
August 2024 OSS paper round-up
Amanda Matthes
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
Article
Project Spotlight: OpenFlexure Microscope
Brianna Johns
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
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
August 2025
event
Louisa Richmond-Coggan
September 2025
event
Louisa Richmond-Coggan
event
Louisa Richmond-Coggan
October 2025
event
Lacey Hughey and 3 more
September 2022
June 2022
event
Oliver_Metcalf
December 2020
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hi Lucy,I now realised it is an old thread and you most likely have already found a solution long ago but this might be of interest to others.As mentioned previously, it is... |
+5
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Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools, Open Source Solutions, Software Development | 9 months 2 weeks ago | |
| No problem at all Yu (@JY) and good luck with your studies! Happy to discuss this and any other ideas any time.All the best,Rob |
+10
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Sensors, Animal Movement, Connectivity, Drones, Open Source Solutions, Emerging Tech | 9 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Hi all! I wanted to open a discussion on a topic that I've been thinking about ever since I entered the job market-- how to get a... |
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Software Development, AI for Conservation, Early Career, Open Source Solutions | 9 months 3 weeks ago | |
| Hi Brett, I am interested in developing really low cost multi channel underwater acoustic recorders. Can you tell me a bit more about the board and stuff you were using... |
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Build Your Own Data Logger Community, Acoustics, Camera Traps, Climate Change, East Africa Community, Marine Conservation, Open Source Solutions, Protected Area Management Tools | 9 months 3 weeks ago | |
| Jared's answer is excellent IMHO. One level down, you have a couple of options. One is to charge for the convenience of buying a finished, assembled, and tested product, that's... |
+8
|
Emerging Tech, Funding and Finance, Open Source Solutions | 10 months ago | |
| Do you use camera traps? If so, we'd love if you could take five minutes to fill out this survey: tinyurl.com/zambasurveyWith our WILDLABS... |
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AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools, Software Development, Open Source Solutions | 10 months 1 week ago | |
| Hi @benweinstein !Surely a general detector might be very useful for detecting objects in aerial imagery! Maybe something similar to what MegaDetector does in camera trap images,... |
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AI for Conservation, Open Source Solutions, Protected Area Management Tools, Drones, Geospatial | 11 months ago | |
| Very interesting topic |
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Citizen Science, Community Base, Open Source Solutions, Geospatial | 1 year ago | |
| Thank you so much! Now everything is in the hands of amazing organizations and companies! But the first results of the Disaster Management cohort are bringing a very optimistic... |
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AI for Conservation, Climate Change, Early Career, East Africa Community, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech, Ending Wildlife Trafficking Online, Human-Wildlife Coexistence, Open Source Solutions | 1 year ago | |
| A community device isn’t just about the technology; it’s also about creating a collaborative community. Shout out to all innovators... |
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Animal Movement, Marine Conservation, Open Source Solutions, Sensors | 1 year 1 month ago | |
| Fantastic!! |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Build Your Own Data Logger Community, Community Base, Early Career, Ethics of Conservation Tech, Marine Conservation, Open Source Solutions | 1 year 2 months ago | |
| Hi Steph, We appreciate the support! Thanks for the tag and your help managing the community!Patrick |
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Sensors, Acoustics, Conservation Dogs, Emerging Tech, Open Source Solutions | 1 year 3 months ago |
