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.
- @bknight
- | She/Her
I'm a software engineer with experience in bioinformatics, robotics, and machine learning alongside a never-ending penchant to use my skills for good. Looking for opportunities in conservation tech to apply my skills where most needed :)
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 7 Groups
- @mr.kite
- | he/him
Environmental Specialist working with bird surveys and impact assessment. Here I'm focused on acoustic recording technologies and acoustic data analysis for birds.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 8 Groups
- @malikmorg
- | He/Him
Software Developer
Interested in all things technology, system design, and hardware, especially in the spaces of conservation, exploration, and the environment.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 10 Groups
- @fabiola
- | She/her
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 5 Groups
- @Markbowler
- | He/Him
University of Suffolk
Wildlife distributions and the effects that human activity has on populations. Spatial ecology of Amazonian mammals through audio and camera surveys. Hunter and gun tracking in Peru. Bats in suburban and agricultural landscapes in the UK
- 0 Resources
- 4 Discussions
- 11 Groups
I am a biologist who is currently studying for a master's degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Management Sciences, IPB University. In terms of biology, I have passionated in community development and wildlife conservation.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 8 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 6 Groups
A chemist by training and enthusiast about the environment by nature. Currently finishing my PhD where I was lucky to merge several of my passions such as programming, data analysis, aquatic ecology and analytical chemistry.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 7 Groups
- @limburan
- | she/her
Bat Conservation Trust
Research Scientist at Bat Conservation Trust
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 10 Groups
Wildlife Protection Solutions (WPS)
Software Engineer in Conservation Tech
- 2 Resources
- 15 Discussions
- 10 Groups
- @machadoams
- | He/Him
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC)
I am a behavioural ecologist interested in the role of individual variation in ecological interactions and in human-wildlife dimensions
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 9 Groups
- @scottveirs
- | he, him
Orcasound
Oceanographer, marine biologist, educator
- 0 Resources
- 6 Discussions
- 3 Groups
Careers
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 2026, we are actively...
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Executive Director for the Open Science Hardware Foundation
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Lead a growing non-profit to sustain open source solutions for open science!
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Advancing Hierarchical Classification of Ocean Life
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Join the FathomNet Kaggle Competition to show us how you would develop a model that can accurately classify varying taxonomic ranks!
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Last month, we spent four days trekking through Cerro Hoya National Park in Panama, where we hiked from near sea level up to the cloud forest to deploy Mothboxes.
14 February 2025
August 2025
event
Louisa Richmond-Coggan
September 2025
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October 2025
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Lacey Hughey and 3 more
November 2023
August 2023
| 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!! |
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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... |
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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... |
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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... |
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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,... |
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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! |
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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 |
