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Melissa Starking enrolled on a new course - "Introduction to Acoustic Monitoring"
3 months ago
Groups
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- New "Human Dimensions" group on Wildlabs?
The WILDLABS Community Base is the ideal place to get oriented with the all that our community platform offers, hear about news and opportunities, and to meet new friends and collaborators.
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- What Happens When Conservation Technology Leaves the Lab? Lessons from Training Rural Communities in the Brazilian Cerrado
Thanks to support from the WILDLABS Awards through the Boring Fund, funded by Arm, we were able to deliver a conservation technology training programme designed to make wildlife monitoring tools more accessible to rural communities.
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Looking for a place to discuss camera trap troubleshooting, compare models, collaborate with members working with other technologies like machine learning and bioacoustics, or share and exchange data from your camera trap research? Get involved in our Camera Traps group! All are welcome whether you are new to camera trapping, have expertise from the field to share, or are curious about how your skill sets can help those working with camera traps.
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- What Happens When Conservation Technology Leaves the Lab? Lessons from Training Rural Communities in the Brazilian Cerrado
Thanks to support from the WILDLABS Awards through the Boring Fund, funded by Arm, we were able to deliver a conservation technology training programme designed to make wildlife monitoring tools more accessible to rural communities.
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- 288
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- Latest Discussion
- Looking To Utilize My Skillsets To Help
The conservation tech community has the power to help us understand and overcome the enormous challenges posed by climate change. Join our Climate Change group to meet others who are passionate about using their expertise to innovate new solutions and find reasons to be optimistic about tech's potential in the fight against climate disasters.
🌍 Conservation technology is transforming how we protect wildlife, but are we thinking carefully enough about the risks? Drones, camera traps, GPS trackers, acoustic sensors, AI, and remote sensing have become essential tools for conservation practitioners around the world. They help us monitor species, detect threats, and respond faster than ever before. But these same technologies can also introduce unintended risks, and in some cases, can be exploited by those seeking to harm the very wildlife we're trying to protect. 🦏 Input now and/or join the discussions/research. Â
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- 526
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Conservation tech work doesn't stop after data is collected in the field. Equally as important to success is navigating data management and processing tools. For the many community members who deal with enormous datasets, this group will be an invaluable resource to trade advice, discuss workflows and tools, and share what works for you.
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- Wild Moves and Wild Album: New GBIF Data Portals for Animal Tracking and Camera Trap Data
New data portals are making it easier to discover and explore wildlife tracking and camera trap datasets from around the world.Â
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Used to pick up signals from tracking gear on the ground, collect images of wildlife and habitats from the air, gather acoustic data with specialized hydrophones, or even collect snot samples from whales' blowholes, drones are capable of collecting high-resolution data quickly, noninvasively, and at relatively low cost.
🌍 Conservation technology is transforming how we protect wildlife, but are we thinking carefully enough about the risks? Drones, camera traps, GPS trackers, acoustic sensors, AI, and remote sensing have become essential tools for conservation practitioners around the world. They help us monitor species, detect threats, and respond faster than ever before. But these same technologies can also introduce unintended risks, and in some cases, can be exploited by those seeking to harm the very wildlife we're trying to protect. 🦏 Input now and/or join the discussions/research. Â
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- 553
- 409
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- Latest Discussion
- Conservation Technology - Paris, France
Just starting your conservation tech career path? Our Early Career group is the best place to network, chat about your master's projects, and seek advice from your peers and those who have been down this path before! Join now to get to know community members and students from around the world!
🌍 Conservation technology is transforming how we protect wildlife, but are we thinking carefully enough about the risks? Drones, camera traps, GPS trackers, acoustic sensors, AI, and remote sensing have become essential tools for conservation practitioners around the world. They help us monitor species, detect threats, and respond faster than ever before. But these same technologies can also introduce unintended risks, and in some cases, can be exploited by those seeking to harm the very wildlife we're trying to protect. 🦏 Input now and/or join the discussions/research. Â
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- 257
- 107
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- Latest Discussion
- Engineer Searching for BiologistsÂ
The eDNA & Genomics Group focuses on advancing biodiversity monitoring, species detection, and ecological research using environmental DNA (eDNA) and genomics technologies. Our members are engaged in the collection, sequencing, and analysis of DNA from environmental samples—such as soil, water, and feces—to detect species presence, assess genetic diversity, and study population structure without the need for direct observation or capture.
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- Assessing Critical Habitats Using Environmental DNA to Conserve the World’s Rarest Heron- White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis
The White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) is the world's rarest heron, with only about 60 individuals remaining globally. Bhutan holds nearly half of the remaining population, making conservation efforts within the country crucial to the species' survival. As part of my PhD research at Texas State University, I have been working to better understand the ecology, habitat suitability, and conservation needs of this critically endangered species. I employ an interdisciplinary approach that integrates field ecology, environmental DNA (eDNA) and portable genomics technologies to improve biodiversity monitoring and conservation planning for White-bellied Heron in Bhutan. Unlike traditional monitoring approaches that rely solely on direct observations, eDNA allows researchers to detect biodiversity from traces of genetic material left behind in the environment. The WILDLABS Award provided an exciting opportunity not only to advance research but also to demonstrate how emerging conservation technologies can be applied in remote landscapes while building local capacity for conservation genetics. Through this project, we sought to explore how portable molecular tools can support conservation decision-making while making advanced genetic technologies more accessible to researchers and practitioners in Bhutan.
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Geospatial data and analysis are critical for conservation, from planning to implementation and measuring success. The Geospatial group focuses on all aspects of this field, from field surveys to remote sensing and data development/analysis to GIS systems. The ability to visualize and analyze spatial data underpins many areas of conservation, this group may serve as a landing point and gateway for those new to conservation technology.
🌍 Conservation technology is transforming how we protect wildlife, but are we thinking carefully enough about the risks? Drones, camera traps, GPS trackers, acoustic sensors, AI, and remote sensing have become essential tools for conservation practitioners around the world. They help us monitor species, detect threats, and respond faster than ever before. But these same technologies can also introduce unintended risks, and in some cases, can be exploited by those seeking to harm the very wildlife we're trying to protect. 🦏 Input now and/or join the discussions/research. Â
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- 225
- 391
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- Latest Discussion
- Looking for partners: Improving conservation funding and reporting
The number one problem in nature conservation is the need for more money or access to funding. This group aims to help all WILDLABS community members with funding and financing their projects. The group is called Funding and Finance to draw attention to the possibilities of funding (i.e., grants, awards, and other gifts) and finance (loans and venture capital investment in nature conservation projects and start-ups). These topics should be seen in their wider contexts, including that of a project or organisation’s income or business model.
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- WILDLABS Awards 2026: Meet the Judges
While the WILDLABS Awards 2026 submissions are in the final round of judging, meet the panel that is currently reviewing the shortlist of applications.
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- 427
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- Latest Discussion
- Conservation Technology - Paris, France
Bringing together many of our community's tech types like bioacoustics, biologging, drones, remote sensing, machine learning, and more, the Marine Conservation group is a meeting point to begin innovative collaborations and answer difficult questions.
🌍 Conservation technology is transforming how we protect wildlife, but are we thinking carefully enough about the risks? Drones, camera traps, GPS trackers, acoustic sensors, AI, and remote sensing have become essential tools for conservation practitioners around the world. They help us monitor species, detect threats, and respond faster than ever before. But these same technologies can also introduce unintended risks, and in some cases, can be exploited by those seeking to harm the very wildlife we're trying to protect. 🦏 Input now and/or join the discussions/research. Â
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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 that open source hardware, software, and data are key to conducting both rigorous and honorable science and research. It is a place to share novel or existing technologies, exchange resources, discuss new projects, ask for advice, find collaborators, advocate for adopting open source technologies, and share strategies for making them sustainable. Open Source Solutions naturally overlaps with existing WILDLABS groups, and we aim to embrace this overlap while maintaining our unique space for growth of Open Source Solutions as a priority in conservation science.
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- A breakthrough in low cost sea turtle satellite tagging and telemetryÂ
It was on the shores of French Guiana, at 4am in the morning, that after 8 years of research and development to develop a ready-to-deploy open source satellite sea turtle tag, we achieved our goal.
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- 265
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- Latest Discussion
- Women in Conservation Forum: 3 Weeks Today!!
Welcome to the home of the Women in Conservation Technology Programme (WiCT)! This is a space for the women and mentors involved in the programme to keep in touch, share updates and resources, and problem solve together! Drop into our group to say hello and keep in touch with the programme and participants.
We are launching the 2026–2027 Women in Conservation Technology Programme to support early-career Tanzanian women in conservation to build their skills, explore new technologies, and join a dynamic network shaping the future of the field. This refreshed edition features an expanded curriculum incorporating cutting-edge technologies and critical data skills, alongside an increased cohort size to broaden access, strengthen collaboration, and amplify the collective impact of women advancing conservation efforts across Tanzania. DEADLINE EXTENSION: Applications now close 13 May 2026.
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The Animal Movement Group is a collaborative community dedicated to advancing the study, monitoring, and conservation of animal movement. It provides a space for researchers, practitioners, and innovators to exchange knowledge, explore bio-logging approaches and data, and address conservation challenges linked to species mobility.
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- Wild Moves and Wild Album: New GBIF Data Portals for Animal Tracking and Camera Trap Data
New data portals are making it easier to discover and explore wildlife tracking and camera trap datasets from around the world.Â
Group
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- 1366
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- Latest Discussion
- Conservation Technology - Paris, France
Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in the field to analyse information collected by wildlife conservationists, from camera traps and satellite images to audio recordings. AI can learn how to identify which photos out of thousands contain rare species; or pinpoint an animal call out of hours of field recordings - hugely reducing the manual labour required to collect vital conservation data. The AI For Conservation group is intended to unite and inspire all WILDLABS community members—whether already involved in AI for conservation, or not—to understand how to use and/or directly contribute to open-source research and development efforts.
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- Open-Source Solutions for Amphibian Passive Acoustic Monitoring: Lessons from Patagonia
Monitoring amphibians across the temperate forests of Patagonia presents significant logistical and technical challenges. Remote locations, harsh environmental conditions, and the large volumes of data generated by Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) can make long-term biodiversity surveys difficult to implement and maintain. In addition, environmental data often relies on multiple independent devices, increasing costs, complexity, and logistical demands in remote field conditions. Through the WILDLABS Awards 2025, our team explored practical ways to address these challenges by combining open-source hardware, environmental sensing, and AI-assisted acoustic analysis.
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- 926
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- Latest Discussion
- Spectrolipi v2.0.1
Acoustic is one of our biggest and most active groups, with members collecting, analysing, and interpreting acoustic data from across species, ecosystems, and applications, from animal vocalizations to sounds from our natural and built environment.
- Latest Resource
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- Open-Source Solutions for Amphibian Passive Acoustic Monitoring: Lessons from Patagonia
Monitoring amphibians across the temperate forests of Patagonia presents significant logistical and technical challenges. Remote locations, harsh environmental conditions, and the large volumes of data generated by Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) can make long-term biodiversity surveys difficult to implement and maintain. In addition, environmental data often relies on multiple independent devices, increasing costs, complexity, and logistical demands in remote field conditions. Through the WILDLABS Awards 2025, our team explored practical ways to address these challenges by combining open-source hardware, environmental sensing, and AI-assisted acoustic analysis.
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Melissa Starking's Comments
| Comment | Post | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Hello Everyone! I am… | Welcome to WILDLABS! |
Melissa Starking commented on "Welcome to WILDLABS! "