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.
World Wide Fund for Nature/ World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
- 0 Resources
- 12 Discussions
- 15 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
University of Antwerp
- 0 Resources
- 12 Discussions
- 7 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
- 12 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
OpenForests
Back-end developer at OpenForests
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 4 Groups
Link
New paper - "acoupi integrates audio recording, AI-based data processing, data management, and real-time wireless messaging into a unified and configurable framework. We demonstrate the flexibility of acoupi by...
7 February 2025
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Over the years, a large number of developments have gone up in the area that I live in and the municipality is not doing what they should when it comes to upholding the laws that have been put in place to protect the...
20 January 2025
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Throughout November and December, the Mothbox team has been running field tests in Panama, cleaning up their data for post-processing, and starting an online shop with moth-themed merch!
19 December 2024
Article
Announcement of Project SPARROW
Zhongqi Miao
SPARROW: Solar-Powered Acoustics and Remote Recording Observation Watch
18 December 2024
Article
October + November 2024 OSS paper round-up
Amanda Matthes
In this instalment: ESPressoscope for microscopy, geographical feature extraction from OpenStreetMap, DEBEcoMod for predicting traits using dynamic energy budget theory, and more!
15 December 2024
Link
Open Sustainable Technology directory
Pen-Yuan Hsing
May be of interest to WILDLABS in terms of open source solutions, conservation tech, and learning about similar efforts. The founder of Open Sustainable Technology wrote this post about their work: https://...
2 December 2024
Careers
Computer Vision Developer
Ben Weinstein
We are hiring a computer vision developer at the University of Florida!
20 November 2024
Article
Catch up on the highlights from our two-day Mothbox v4.5 workshop at Georgia Tech, where participants gained hands-on experience building and testing the Mothbox.
13 November 2024
Link
ClimateTriage
Tobias Augspurger
Discover a meaningful way to contribute to open source projects focused on climate technology and sustainability.
22 October 2024
Link
Open Sustainable Technology
Tobias Augspurger
A directory and analysis of the open source ecosystem in the areas of climate change, sustainable energy, biodiversity and natural resources.
22 October 2024
Careers
MS and PhD Opportunities in Ocean Engineering and Oceanography
Camille Pagniello
The Marine Innovation Lab for Leading-edge Oceanography develops hardware and software to expand the ocean observing network and for the sustainable management of natural resources. For Fall 2025, we are actively...
6 October 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
December 2020
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| want to join 2025 contest for humpback whale photos in Juneo Alaska of Kelp |
|
Citizen Science, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Drones, Emerging Tech, Geospatial, Human-Wildlife Coexistence, Marine Conservation, Open Source Solutions | 1 day 13 hours ago | |
| This is awesome!! |
|
Conservation Tech Training and Education, Drones, Emerging Tech, Geospatial, Open Source Solutions | 2 days 5 hours ago | |
| Hi Elsa, We have used InVEST for a pollinator project we supported (the crop pollination model - details here), and looking to using it more for marine and coastal... |
|
Geospatial, Software Development, Climate Change, Funding and Finance, Marine Conservation, Open Source Solutions | 1 week ago | |
| Kudos for such an innovative approach—integrating additional sensors with acoustic recorders is a brilliant step forward! I'm especially interested in how you tackle energy... |
|
Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Latin America Community, Open Source Solutions | 1 week ago | |
| Hi Chris Great to meet you — and I love that you called it convergent evolution! That’s exactly how it feels when two people independently reach a similar idea because the need... |
|
Open Source Solutions | 1 week 4 days ago | |
| Amazing. Thanks for pointing them out. Didn't see it. |
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Open Source Solutions | 1 month ago | |
| Do you know a nonprofit or organization that is looking to work with students passionate about the environment? Code the Change... |
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AI for Conservation, Citizen Science, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Open Source Solutions, Software Development | 1 month 1 week ago | |
| 15 years ago I had to rebuild the dams on a game reserve I was managing due to flood damage and neglect. How I wished there was an easier,... |
|
Drones, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Data management and processing tools, Emerging Tech, Geospatial, Open Source Solutions | 4 months ago | |
| Thank you for your comment Chris! Using these tools has made a huge difference in the way we can monitor and manage Invasive Alien Vegetation. I hope you are able to integrate... |
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AI for Conservation, Citizen Science, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Drones, Geospatial, Human-Wildlife Coexistence, Open Source Solutions | 1 month 4 weeks ago | |
| I would love to hear updates on this if you have a mailing list or list of intersted parties! |
|
AI for Conservation, Community Base, Drones, Latin America Community, Marine Conservation, Open Source Solutions, Software Development | 2 months ago | |
| Passing along a question from the Gathering for Open Science Hardware, asking about sources of funding to support in-person events... |
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Open Source Solutions, Funding and Finance, Community Base | 2 months ago | |
| I'm excited to see this project begin; I think its focus on versatility and functionality for users in diverse environments will allow Trapper Keeper to have a broad impact,... |
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Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools, Emerging Tech, Open Source Solutions, Software Development | 2 months 1 week ago |
