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
- 9 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 9 Groups
Data Scientist/AI Engineer, Birdwatcher, Trail Runner: here to learn about conservation tech & contribute where I can.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 11 Groups
- 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.
- 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.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 9 Groups
- @lvgliarose
- | she/her
Bat Conservation Trust
Research Manager at Bat Conservation Trust
- 0 Resources
- 8 Discussions
- 12 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 6 Groups
- @Kyle_Birchard
- | He/Him
Building tools for research and management of insect populations
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 6 Groups
- @diego_ellis_soto
- | he/him
University of California & California Academy of Sciences
Biodiversity |Technology | Socio-Ecological Systems | Wildlife Ecology | Remote Sensing | Conservation | K12STEM-education | Music | diegoellissoto.org
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 20 Groups
- @mattaudette
- | he, him, his
Software Tester and Test Automator at Wildlife Protection Solutions
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 24 Groups
- @Rutwik
- | Mr
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 13 Groups
Wildlife Protection Solutions (WPS)
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 8 Groups
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Funding
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Community Announcement
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May 2025
June 2025
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June 2023
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| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yep we are working on it 1/ segment 2/remote unwanted ecosytem3/get local potential habitat4/generate5/add to picture |
|
Geospatial, AI for Conservation, Data management and processing tools, Open Source Solutions, Software Development | 1 month 3 weeks ago | |
| All sound, would be nice if there were only 5, though! |
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AI for Conservation, Citizen Science, Data management and processing tools, Emerging Tech, Ethics of Conservation Tech, Funding and Finance, Geospatial, Open Source Solutions, Software Development | 1 month 4 weeks ago | |
| It's great to see so much interest in presenting at this webinar. We have also received interest through direct messages and meetings that we've happened to have had. Thank you... |
|
Open Source Solutions, Community Base, Funding and Finance | 2 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Thanks again for the interesting discussion everyone! Just a note that while I touched on it in my opening post above, there were still questions in this thread about what... |
+28
|
Open Source Solutions, AI for Conservation, Ethics of Conservation Tech, Software Development | 2 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Thanks @VAR1 great insights! Funny you mentioned the honey thing, @hikinghack said the same in response on the GOSH forum. I think the point I'm trying to make with the vegan... |
|
Open Source Solutions, AI for Conservation, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Ethics of Conservation Tech, Geospatial, Software Development | 2 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Sure, Akio! Happy to answer!1. Yes, something like that. The few existing i guess applied already for GPS collar (literally collar) that usually for big cats and some other big... |
|
Sensors, Animal Movement, Open Source Solutions | 2 months 2 weeks ago | |
| How much does it cost to incorporate machine learning into your conservation drone geospatial analysis? How does it speed up your workflow... |
|
Conservation Tech Training and Education, Drones, Geospatial, Open Source Solutions, Sensors, Software Development | 2 months 3 weeks ago | |
| Another question. Right now pretty much all camera traps trigger on either PIR sensors or small AI models. Small AI models would tend to have a limitation that they would... |
|
AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Data management and processing tools, Open Source Solutions, Software Development | 3 months 1 week ago | |
| Hi Lorenzo,I highly recommend the OpenSoundscapes package (developed by the Kitzes Lab at U Pittsburgh) - there are workflows to build your own CNNs there, the documentation is... |
|
Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Open Source Solutions | 3 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Thanks! I am familiar with EarthRanger but wasn't aware it could be used for behavioural data collection |
+6
|
Build Your Own Data Logger Community, Data management and processing tools, Open Source Solutions | 3 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Steve and I are looking to develop a low-cost benthic drift camera with a live video feed. Our hope is to use an acoustic modem to give us a low quality feed for navigation /... |
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Marine Conservation, Build Your Own Data Logger Community, Connectivity, Emerging Tech, Open Source Solutions | 5 months ago | |
| Today, I'm really grateful for the chance to present at the first WILDLABS Open Source Solutions online community meeting. Here are two... |
|
Open Source Solutions | 5 months 2 weeks ago |
