I’m pleased to share that the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) has officially approved the new Drones and Data Working Group (D&D WG) for provisional status: https://lnkd.in/g2Zavkfe

The SCB Drones and Data Working Group exists to promote the ethical, safe and environmentally responsible use of drones and drone-derived data in conservation.

Our focus is on strengthening scientific standards, data quality and transparent workflows across imagery, mapping, sensing and AI used for biodiversity monitoring. We aim to support both practitioners and researchers with practical guidance on aviation regulations, protected-area permitting, wildlife-safe operations, and responsible data governance.

By coordinating closely with The Wildlife Society Drone Working Group, WILDLABS Community, ConservationDrones.org, WildDrone and regional partners, the goal is to complement existing efforts rather than duplicate them, while providing a clear home for applied conservation-technology practice within SCB.

The Working Group will:
• Promote ethical, environmentally responsible and safe deployment of drones in conservation  
• Improve data quality, transparency and scientific standards for imagery, mapping, sensors and AI  
• Provide guidance on aviation regulations, protected-area permitting and operational safety  
• Support wildlife-safe flight practices that minimise disturbance  
• Develop best-practice documents, case studies and training materials  
• Strengthen data governance, privacy and responsible-use principles  
• Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration across ecology, geospatial science and AI  
• Build capacity for members at all career stages across SCB Sections  

Over the next six months, we will build membership, develop guidance resources and launch activities for 2025–2026 focused on field impact and conservation outcomes.

If you are an SCB member working with drones, remote sensing, geospatial data, AI/ML, wildlife monitoring or habitat mapping, or if you want to build skills in these areas, you are warmly invited to join and help shape this community.

Our first meeting will be held on 20th January 2026:

SCB Working Groups: https://conbio.org/groups/working-groups/about-working-groups

Registration for the WG: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKxh3-e2duORzdqvuD2UCqC-Cpp7booTdWu7zFSHYPV0HOfw/viewform

(David Guerin; Provisional chair)  [email protected]