The talk is really interesting and I agree that it's important to think about the bigger issues of the world and then use technology as just one of the tools to try and tackle them. 

Love the name. I am doing work around sensor networks for conservation. You have grown quite the team. I am also leavine the corporate IT world as a software engineer to start a conserve/agri tech start-up. I would like to keep it as a social enterprise as well.

Hi, everyone, I'm John Waugh.  I manage the climate and environment program for a small but growing consultancy, Integra LLC, based in Washington DC. Another core area for Integra is information and communications technology for development, hence my interest in the intersection between technology and biodiversity conservation.  I'm convinced that there's a bright future for the Internet of Things in the area of conservation, and I look forward to working with you to build a community of practice.  It would be very helpful to me to hear your thoughts about what information is most needed. Should we have a directory of experts?  Of vendors of hardware and software?  Or documentation of existing projects and the technologies being used? I'm sure all of these and more are in demand.  I'd like to help get the ball rolling; what should our initial focus be?  I'm looking forward to being in touch.

best

John

Hi everyone.

I'm Akiba and I'm an engineer by trade specializing in wireless sensor networks and communications. I generally work with groups like World Bank on technology for development and we are working with UNESCO and other organizations to put on an ICT4D (Information and Communications Technology For Development) conference in Japan later this year.

I've also started and run a communal farm which houses both farmers and techies and as the farm is expanding, we have found that we've been given a forest and part of a mountain to manage along with all its inhabitants. We are planning animal surveys and will also be studying very hard on forestry management. Wildlife conservation has been an interest of mine for a while and I'm looking forward to working and collaborating with people on WildLabs in that realm.

Akiba

Hi Ted,

I don't have experience with that chip either but this sounds like an interesting idea.  But zooming out a bit, may I ask what PIT reader are you using?

Thanks,

-harold

Hi Ted,

This is all very interesting.  The solution you describe seems eminently doable and in fact quite cheap.  So doable and cheap that it may behoove one to also ask what the higher level vision is, in order to further constrain the solution.

For instance is there a wider need for this kind of monitoring (e.g. other birds or animals, other localities); or perhaps a need to generate greater outreach or involve new volunteers.

Thanks,

-harold

Hi Aurelie,

I do some work in underwater robotics and it's a tough problem!  Maybe there is a way around the problem instead of through.  May I ask, is the goal specifically to map where the nets are within a certain stretch of river, or to be able to ensure there are no nets wihin the area, or...?

Thanks,

-harold