Open Source Solutions

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Open Source Solutions / Feed

This group is for anyone interested in open-source technologies for ecology and conservation. We welcome contributions from both makers and users, whether active or prospective. Here, we believe in the need for open-source hardware and software to do good science and research. It is a place to share novel or existing technologies, exchange resources, discuss new projects, ask for advice, find collaborators, and advocate for adopting open-source technologies.

Group curators

Pen-Yuan Hsing

@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.

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Amanda Matthes

@Amanda_Matthes

trying to understand and improve the welfare of all animals that can suffer

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Brianna Johns

@briannajohns
| she/they

Gathering for Open Science Hardware (GOSH)

Interested in the application of open source technologies for conservation research.

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374

Active members

Active discussions

337

Comments

111

Resources

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

TBC: xx articles
3 Resources
24 Discussions
3 Groups

@Amanda_Matthes

trying to understand and improve the welfare of all animals that can suffer

TBC: xx articles
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.

TBC: xx articles
9 Resources
4 Discussions
4 Groups

Country based in

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@albags

TBC: xx articles
9 Resources
2 Discussions
9 Groups

@dtoutoungi

Data Scientist/AI Engineer, Birdwatcher, Trail Runner: here to learn about conservation tech & contribute where I can.

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
11 Groups

@GusGoesWild

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
6 Groups

@Stelios
| he/him

I am a Software Developer living in Berlin, Germany. Previously studied Informatics (BSc) and Data Science (MSc) in Athens, Greece.

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0 Resources
0 Discussions
12 Groups

@ctjack1109
| He/Him

I am a graduate student at Purdue University developing low-cost IoT technology to measure wetland methane emissions. This, paired with my undergraduate education in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources, has me naturally drawn to advanced tech coupled with conservation issues.

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
9 Groups

@lvgliarose
| she/her

Bat Conservation Trust

Research Manager at Bat Conservation Trust

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
8 Discussions
12 Groups

@Jan_Kowalik

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
1 Discussions
6 Groups

@Kyle_Birchard
| He/Him

Building tools for research and management of insect populations

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
6 Groups

@diego_ellis_soto
| he/him

University of California & California Academy of Sciences

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
0 Discussions
20 Groups

@mattaudette
| he, him, his

Software Tester and Test Automator at Wildlife Protection Solutions

TBC: xx articles
0 Resources
1 Discussions
24 Groups

@Rutwik
| Mr

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0 Resources
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13 Groups

@Larry_Watkins

Wildlife Protection Solutions (WPS)

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0 Resources
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8 Groups

Description	Activity	Replies	Groups	Updated
Automatic extraction of temperature/moon phase from camera trap video	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	Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools, Open Source Solutions, Software Development	6 months 3 weeks ago
Can wireless charging technology be used for animal sensors?	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	Sensors, Animal Movement, Connectivity, Drones, Open Source Solutions, Emerging Tech	6 months 3 weeks ago
Getting a Software Job in Conservation	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...		Software Development, AI for Conservation, Early Career, Open Source Solutions	6 months 4 weeks ago
Recycled & DIY Remote Monitoring Buoy	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...		Build Your Own Data Logger Community, Acoustics, Camera Traps, Climate Change, East Africa Community, Marine Conservation, Open Source Solutions, Protected Area Management Tools	7 months ago
Resources wanted to advise on the business model of an emerging low-cost device	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	7 months 1 week ago
Support no-code custom AI for camera trap images by filling out this survey	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...		AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools, Software Development, Open Source Solutions	7 months 2 weeks ago
Global model for Livestock detection in airborne imagery - Data, Applications, and Needs	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,...		AI for Conservation, Open Source Solutions, Protected Area Management Tools, Drones, Geospatial	8 months 1 week ago
Integrating Maps with VR/AR for Exploring Environmental Conservation and sensitization	Very interesting topic		Citizen Science, Community Base, Open Source Solutions, Geospatial	9 months 2 weeks ago
AI accelerator for nonprofits working in the Climate area	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...		AI for Conservation, Climate Change, Early Career, East Africa Community, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech, Ending Wildlife Trafficking Online, Human-Wildlife Conflict, Open Source Solutions	9 months 3 weeks ago
Global trials for "Reefie" the coral reef inspector	A community device isn’t just about the technology; it’s also about creating a collaborative community. Shout out to all innovators...		Animal Movement, Marine Conservation, Open Source Solutions, Sensors	10 months 3 weeks ago
VIHAR-2024 deadline extension, June 30th (Interspeech satellite event)	Fantastic!!		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	11 months 2 weeks ago
CollarID: multimodal wearable sensor system for wild and domesticated dogs	Hi Steph, We appreciate the support! Thanks for the tag and your help managing the community!Patrick		Sensors, Acoustics, Conservation Dogs, Emerging Tech, Open Source Solutions	1 year ago

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