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
- 0 Resources
- 8 Discussions
- 4 Groups
University of Suffolk
Sustainability Researcher • Environmental Data Scientist & Technologist • Earth Scientist
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 13 Groups
Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), University of Kent
Conservation Science PhD student at DICE, Kent. I am a GIS and remote sensing enthusiast as well as researcher. Been in love with the interaction between AI and conservation ever since I picked up a python crash course book out of curiosity during my undergraduate degree.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 12 Groups
- @pchwalek
- | He/him/his
I'm a PhD candidate in the Responsive Environments Group, working on electronic systems for human and wildlife monitoring.
- 0 Resources
- 18 Discussions
- 9 Groups
- @LauraKloepper
- | she/her
Associate Professor at the University of New Hampshire. Our research aims to uncover behavioral principles underlying acoustic sensing, inspire the design of active sensing technology, and improve population monitoring for animal conservation.
- 1 Resources
- 3 Discussions
- 5 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 3 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 14 Groups
Fauna & Flora
- 0 Resources
- 3 Discussions
- 10 Groups
- @Phillip_Swart
- | He
I'm a conservationist working in the Vulture conservation space in South Africa with a huge passion for technology.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 18 Groups
- @GrunCrow
- | She/They
Computer Scientist
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 10 Groups
- @Prabisha
- | she/her
Dedicated research scientist with over 8 years of experience in cartography, spatial analysis, and statistical modeling to tackle environmental, public health, and socio-economic challenges. Passionate about leveraging geospatial technology to drive impactful solutions.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 12 Groups
- @hannahilea
- | she/her
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 6 Groups
Article
CERES TAG
Kim Lane
Ceres Tag sends just in time alerts and GPS location to have the power to track and trace.
22 July 2022
Careers
Earth Species Project - Senior AI Research Scientist
Andrea Austin
The Earth Species Project (ESP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to decoding animal communication and translating non-human language.
15 July 2022
Article
Identification of Wildlife in Camera Trap Images
Ellie Warren
Camera trap wildlife surveys can generate vast amounts of imagery. A key problem in the wildlife ecology field is that vast amounts of time is spent reviewing this imagery to identify the species detected. Valuable...
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This article provides a review of deep learning (predominantly ML) used in marine ecology and considerations for its future directions in conservation. In plain language, the authors provide a methodology for training...
20 December 2021
Article
The 2021 Ebbe Nielsen Challenge has opened with the aim of recognizing innovative entries that leverage biodiversity data and tools from the GBIF network to advance open science.
20 January 2021
Funding
Argos Satellite Tag Open-Source Grant
Thomas Gray
WILDLABS community member Thomas Gray from Argos has given us a preview of an upcoming grant program to develop open-source tags. Three years ago, Argos worked with the Arribada Initiative to develop an open-source...
17 August 2020
Community Announcement
Have your say: take the WILDLABS Tech Community Survey 2020
WILDLABS Admin
WILDLABS is evaluating the State of Conservation Technology alongside researchers at Colorado State University in our third annual survey. Take the survey to contribute your thoughts on the community’s progress, needs, ...
8 July 2020
Article
Creating bold conservation tech solutions requires each of us to find the intersection between our skills and passions. In this case study on the new Aqualink reef monitoring system, a unique citizen science project...
9 June 2020
Funding
Competition: 2020 Hackaday Prize
Conservation X Labs
The 2020 Hackaday Prize competition has begun! This year, Conservation X Labs has partnered with the Hackaday Prizes as one of four nonprofits seeking tech-based solutions to urgent challenges. Conservation X Labs'...
26 May 2020
May 2025
June 2025
event
Nalini
October 2025
event
Lacey Hughey and 3 more
November 2023
August 2023
| 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 |
