WILDLABS
One year ago, we launched the WILDLABS Learning Platform with a clear goal: to make conservation technology training more accessible, practical, and relevant to the needs of a global community. Since then, the platform has grown into a dynamic space for learning and knowledge sharing, shaped not only by the WILDLABS team but by the practitioners, researchers, and technologists who use it.
In its first year, the platform has hosted 19 courses across 15 topic areas, with more than 800 course enrollments and over 460 completions. That translates to a completion rate of nearly 58%, a strong signal that learners are not just browsing content, but engaging with it deeply and seeing it through. These early numbers reinforce what we hoped from the outset: that there is real demand for structured, accessible training in conservation technology.
Developing the Learning Platform
Developed with support from Arm and in collaboration with Octophin Digital, the platform integrates directly into WILDLABS.NET and is built around flexibility. Courses are structured in modular formats, allowing learners to engage at their own pace and enabling course creators to design content that fits a wide range of needs, from introductory overviews to more applied, technical lessons. From the beginning, we also prioritized openness. The platform is not just a place to take courses, but a space where community members and partners can contribute their own materials, helping the library grow in ways that reflect the diversity of conservation challenges and contexts.
We initially launched with a set of foundational courses spanning key methods and tools in conservation technology, including camera trapping, acoustic monitoring, and environmental DNA. These have been complemented by externally hosted courses through partnerships with organizations like Fauna & Flora, GeoWing Academy and NASA, demonstrating how the platform can also serve as a hub to surface high-quality resources that already exist but are often difficult to find. It has been so exciting to see the broader community contribute their own courses and materials that reflect a wide range of geographies, contexts, and experience levels.
Over the past year, this combination of original content and curated materials has begun to take shape into a shared learning ecosystem. As more courses are added—by WILDLABS, partners, and community members—the platform is evolving toward a more comprehensive, globally relevant resource. Looking ahead, we are continuing to expand both the breadth and depth of available content.
Looking Ahead
At its core, the Learning Platform is a community-driven effort. Its continued growth depends on the contributions, feedback, and participation of the WILDLABS network. If you have not yet explored the courses, we encourage you to take a look, try something new, and share your thoughts. And if you have knowledge or resources to contribute, we invite you to be part of building this collective learning space. Please reach out to us ([email protected]) if you have questions or want to explore collaborations.
Whether you are new to conservation technology or looking to deepen your expertise, the Learning Platform is designed to support you. One year down, and just getting started!
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