Software and mobile applications are equally as important to conservation technology as the hardware used in the field. Increasingly developed specifically for #tech4wildlife needs, there are mobile apps and software options designed to help with protected area management, wildlife crime reporting, and anti-poaching patrol planning, data analysis, community science, data visualization and GIS mapping, outreach and engagement, and even conservation storytelling.
Likewise, mobile games have opened up new avenues for engaging the public in conservation efforts, allowing for immersive storytelling and interactive experiences. By combining cutting-edge technology and important conservation information with a media form already familiar to the public, conservationists are finding exciting ways to make audiences feel personally invested in critical species and habitats.
Whether you're looking for software and mobile app developers to help you with your own conservation tech needs, you have questions about development, you're looking for resources, or you'd like to share your own app, software, or gaming tools, this is the group for you!
Header photo: Trevor Hebert
I am both head of the Innovation department and a biodiversity consultant at the Biotope consultancy. Originally a botanist and GIS expert, I specialise in the management of innovation projects, in particular software and technological products dedicated to biodiversity.
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Island Conservation
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- @CatherineJardine
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Birds Canada Data Science and Technology Team. Primarily working on Motus and NatureCounts.
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St. Lawrence University
Professor of Biology at St. Lawrence University
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- @nicoboenisch
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Co-Director FOS Europe, Conservation Strategist and Technical Advisor to the Miradi Software Team, Improving Conservation through Adaptive Management and Evidence-based Learning
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Co-founder and CEO of Goldfish.io
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M.A.P Scientific Services
Co-founder and Director of M.A.P Scientific Services, South Africa
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Natural Solutions
Engineer, Ph.D in Computation Ecology. Interested in developing tools for the massive acquisition of high dimensional data from new technologies (e.g., imaging, omics), their analysis and visualization.
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- @Gody
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Godfrey Nyangaresi, a dedicated Protection Manager with 12+ years of wildlife conservation experience. Skilled in technologies, administration, and law enforcement, he leads protection efforts at STEP, ensuring the sustainable conservation of elephants in southern Tanzania.
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Director of Spatial Planning and Innovation Nature Conservancy of Canada
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Technology to End the Sixth Mass Extinction. Salary: $132 - $160k; Location: Seattle WA; 7+ years of experience in hardware product development and manufacturing; View post for full job description
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Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
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Hi Stephanie, Thanks for the link I hadn't seen it. It's very usefull. i realise I have listed a list of points without specific questions, here are a few: Do... |
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Software and Mobile Apps | 4 years 8 months ago | |
Lots of good ideas and advice from everyone. Time/money/quality/speed/etc tradeoffs, as always. Start with your minimum viable product, get it out there (at least to your... |
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Software and Mobile Apps | 4 years 9 months ago | |
Monitoring and protecting vast protected areas and wildlife with limited resources and small teams is a huge challenge in Brazil and in... |
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Software and Mobile Apps | 4 years 10 months ago | |
For any projects or programs that involve community engagement and require robust data collection, Havuta has developed an app that helps... |
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Software and Mobile Apps | 4 years 10 months ago | |
Hello Wild Labs Community! I'm seeking advice on designing a generic database for wildlife enforcement. A big issue I... |
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Software and Mobile Apps | 4 years 11 months ago | |
https://github.com/LoRaTracker/GPSTutorial/tree/master/GPS%20performance%20comparisons I'm a bit late to this conversation, but in case anyone else is searching "gps... |
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Software and Mobile Apps | 4 years 11 months ago | |
Hi Jenny, Interesting problem. I don't have direct experience, but it looks like there are some experts you can probably reach out to and ask... if you haven't... |
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Software and Mobile Apps | 4 years 11 months ago | |
The Knowledge Transfer Network helps businesses get the best out of creativity, ideas and the latest discoveries, to strengthen the UK... |
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Software and Mobile Apps | 4 years 11 months ago | |
The American Museum of Natural History’s Center for Biodiversity and Conservation (CBC) has released an open source tool to assist... |
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Software and Mobile Apps | 4 years 11 months ago | |
HI Robert, I have so many thoughts about this topic.. will try to keep them brief! It's definitely a discussion topic I'd like to throw around in the virtual... |
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Software and Mobile Apps | 5 years 1 month ago | |
Hi Everyone, I am a technology professional with years of experience managing large scale software development projects. I... |
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Software and Mobile Apps | 5 years 2 months ago | |
Hi Everyone, I am a technology professional with years of experience managing large scale software development projects. I... |
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Software and Mobile Apps | 5 years 2 months ago |
rOpenSci Community Call - Governance strategies for open source research software projects
10 December 2018 5:18pm
Open spots available at SMART Advanced Training in Zambia January 2019
6 December 2018 1:13pm
How to help
22 November 2018 3:52pm
29 November 2018 2:31pm
Hi Ross,
We are developing a web-based platform with multiple tools to analyse biodiversity quality, habitat assessement management and other apps. We need some help thinking how to monetise the apps/subscriptions as well as further developing the platform. You can email me here: [email protected] if interested. Thanks.
Kind regards,
Vance
WILDLABS Virtual Meetup: Big Data in Conservation
27 November 2018 12:00am
Project BEESWAX7 Infographic
13 November 2018 2:27pm
26 November 2018 9:10am
Love it! Covers so many of my interests - conservation, beekeeping and fiddling with Arduinos - would love to know more about the project.
Live discussion on intersection of conservation and games
14 November 2018 1:22pm
23 November 2018 3:14pm
Hey Gautum,
Looks like the interview went really well! If people weren't able to make it, Gautam's interview along iwth others in the series are all available to watch here.
Steph
A technologist's journey to protect wildlife: The reality and potential of conservation technology (recorded talk)
22 November 2018 12:00am
Developer job at Octophin Digital
13 November 2018 2:50pm
Mobile App Comparison Table
14 August 2018 5:12pm
19 September 2018 6:51pm
iRecord App - is UK specific, but allows to record over 100,000 taxa.
19 September 2018 11:25pm
Some other data collection apps.
https://www.proofsafe.com.au/
https://five.epicollect.net/
19 October 2018 2:16pm
Hi Shannon, this is really useful, thanks!
Tusk Conservation Lecture 2018: Ted Schmitt
15 October 2018 12:00am
Looking for a front-end developer for the AI for Earth call for project
14 September 2018 2:32pm
Ocean Hack: San Francisco, 10-11th September, 2018
20 August 2018 12:00am
Wildlife monitoring using Smart-Cities tech
14 June 2018 10:49am
2 August 2018 1:23pm
Hi Nilaksha!
Thanks for your comments and interest in our project. I read your project profile and would like to suggest that you take a look at using LoRaWAN for low levels of communications traffic? We are looking and testing kit for use with the www.thethingsnetwork.org It might use less power than cellular or wifi networks?
I hope this helps,
2 August 2018 1:36pm
@simulsys Thanks Andrew. Indeed we're looking into LoRa technologies.
8 August 2018 11:18am
Both initiatives are very interesting. I love the one about the elephants that @nilaksha comments.
There are currently several projects that are using artificial intelligence (in fact, Microsoft is looking for interested parties for possible funding https://www2.fundsforngos.org/environment-conservation-climate-change-and-ecology/ai-for-earth-program-seeking-proposals-from-all-over-the-world/). But its main objective is to identify the species thanks to techniques such as deep learning and I do not know if it would be applicable in the present case.
Regards,
Judit
Wildlife Crime App Development
19 August 2016 11:53pm
12 July 2018 9:45pm
Hi Rosemary,
I know this is from quite a while ago, but I'd be interested in hearing how this moved forward and connecting with you. Please feel free to reach out directly - my email is [email protected].
Best, Maya
7 August 2018 9:21pm
Hi Maya,
We were able to get a website developed (www.safesouvenirs.com) but are now waiting on possible grant funding. In order to move forward, we would like to some work on uploading to our database and also getting into airports to advertise. So, fingers crossed that we are successful with the grant. Either way - I think it would be great to connect. I'll follow-up with a direct email.
Best, Rosemary
8 August 2018 11:05am
Hi Rosemary,
Do you know this website that gathers grants and resources for sustainability?
https://www2.fundsforngos.org/category/environment-conservation-climate-change-and-ecology/
Regards,
Judit
2-Way SMS solution for communication between Park management and Communities
17 May 2018 8:09am
25 May 2018 2:16pm
Hello Drue,
Thank you for your feedback. This is very helpful. I'll do my research on the signal application to see if it can be of help to us. I already am thinking of developing an application for the same. What are your thoughts? Is there a community of guys who can assist me in building this?
If you happen to get any more ideas, I will apreciate. You can reach me on the below email address.
Regards,
Damian
26 May 2018 6:07pm
Hi Damian,
Just sent you an e-mail with some other thoughts.
Good luck!
Drue
17 July 2018 5:29am
Hi Damian,
You could use a SMS gateway, which acts as a link between two mobile devices in order to send SMSes. As Drue stated out Whatsapp or other applications might be better given the added functionality they provide.
What's your favorite wildlife/nature game?
2 March 2018 1:27pm
26 June 2018 10:36am
just wanted to bring our game to your attention, Serengeti: A Race For Life
https://serengeti.store/serengeti-hal001
The game is a joint venture between myself and my partner, who is responsible for the art direction.
If your article is still pending, we would be more than happy to provide a review copy for you, and make ourselves available for any questions you may have.
Thank you for providing a much-needed space to discuss games that aim to educate and raise awareness to the challenges of conservation.
28 June 2018 7:56am
Thanks Richard. Welcome to the (silent) community. We actually already wrote the article, but thanks for the reminder that I should post a link!!! https://www.internetofelephants.com/news/2018/4/25/five-games-apps-for-conservation
We'll be happy to take a closer look at Serengeti: A Race for Life
Gautam!
Using app-building tools for conservation monitoring
1 February 2018 5:19pm
15 March 2018 1:19am
I've just started looking at an app called ProofSafe, which will probably do what you want.
16 May 2018 5:42am
Hi @djscrazyhorse
I've been looking at a similar thing. I actually decided against it in the end, and instead to take a tack of developing a solution for a particular niche.
I just published an article about the thought process here:
https://medium.com/mdes-environmental-social-impact/photo-monitoring-for-the-flax-roots-557749cdb6f3
Would love to hear your thoughts.
Any reason you went with those particular App Builder solutions, out of interest?
Photopoint Monitoring Solutions?
2 May 2017 1:29am
19 May 2017 11:12am
Hi Sam!
Some weeks ago I analyzed in my website an app called GrowApp (https://www.greenappsandweb.com/en/android-en/four-seasons-of-the-year-timelapses-growapp/) that allows you to create timelapses relate with the phenology of the plants, to study how they are adapting to the climate change. I don't know if something like this could be useful to you
Judit
8 September 2017 5:24am
Thanks for sharing this Judit. I've had a play with GrowApp now, and my reflections are:
- the map centric view is probably really useful for people who are monitoring a series of trees / plants, but it doesn't serve as a particularly helpful presentation method for conservation groups in my opinion. Most groups have to upload a series of static images to a web form / send by email, to funders. Sending a link to the map would probably get them a nod of approval, but it wouldn't help them comply with their funding contract.
- I really like the way the photostitching is fully automated. Just take more than one photo and you get a little rolling timelapse.
- They also executed the 50% opacity overlay in a really nice simple way, which makes it easier to line up, though I think there could be a little more automation of the moment of capture (a la Google Photoscan) to make sure they really line up.
So overall, definitely an interesting example, but it's definitely made for another use (low friction citizen science) as it's primary flow and interface.
16 May 2018 3:49am
Hi everyone,
I decided at the end of last year, that it wasn't good enough that there's no good Photo Monitoring Apps on the market, and started to design my own.
Here's a blog post about that process:
Photo Monitoring For The Flax Roots
SMART 2017 Annual Report
15 May 2018 5:39pm
New Mobile App for Reporting Illegal Ivory
31 January 2018 1:52am
31 January 2018 9:00pm
Congratulations on the release of your app, @SueOrloff . Crowd-sourcing reporting of suspected illegal ivory in retail by members of the public, is a great concept (keeping verification and security considerations in mind). Given that there are many elephant ivory look-alikes on the market, including in online trade, it's important to ensure proper identification when users submit reports. TRAFFIC and WWF put together a visual ID guide many years ago, which can be downloaded here: http://www.traffic.org/publications/identification-guide-for-ivory-substitutes.html and the US Fish & Wildlife Service has an online guide to visual identification here: https://www.fws.gov/lab/ivory_natural.php.
13 February 2018 7:46pm
Do federal laws against illegally selling ivory only apply when there is an interstate commerce element? If so, how is that typically proven?
Thanks
21 February 2018 2:26am
I did some research and here is what I found. Basically, federal laws prohibit the intrastate sale of ivory if it was imported after 1990 (CITES) and the interstate sale of ivory if it's under a 100 yrs old (considered an antique).
Landsense Innovation Challenge
19 February 2018 12:00am
Call for papers/participation: Workshop on lessons learned from volunteers’ interactions with geographic citizen science applications, 27 April 2018, London
29 January 2018 10:46am
Species names API feedback
25 January 2018 11:19am
Technology Empowered Conservation Lecture Series
18 January 2018 12:00am
Congratulations to Zoohackathon winners, team ODINN!
6 December 2017 12:00am
FIT Cheetahs
4 December 2017 12:00am
Finding Souvenir Data
9 November 2017 5:31am
9 November 2017 6:18pm
Hi Rosemary,
Great idea!
Just thinking outloud here, but is it wise to tell people where to find unsafe souvenirs? Wouldn't this be helping people who want to find ivory, fur, medicinal animal products, etc. more easily find sources? You might want to create a "blacklist" without being overly specific as to the types of procucts they are selling, and give a "seal of approval" for souvenir stores that are not selling illegal wildlife products and use this as a "carrot" to attract consciencious customers to the better stores.
Regards,
Drue
Has anyone tried out the Forest Watcher Mobile App?
27 October 2017 7:57pm
1 November 2017 11:16am
Hi Liz - Steph encouraged me to have a play for our project in South Sudan. I was surprised the reference area allowed when setting up the app was fairly small but presume this is because it encourages local snapshots rather than a large scale overview. However I don't think there should be a problem with covering a larger reference area that can be zoomed into unless it makes the usability worse. For any sizeable PAs you'd have to create multiple 'areas' and this is quite tricky to do as the PAs didn't show up automatically on the reference map. Great innovative app though and I am happy to be a guinea pig. Rob
HWC Tech Challenge Update: Meet the Judges
20 October 2017 12:00am
What tech challenges do you have?
27 September 2017 2:36pm
4 October 2017 9:31am
Hello John
This is a very generous offer, thank you.
Camera trapping as a tool for researching animal behaviour and ecology is rapidly spreading and growing, but with the exception of the specialist Pantheracams which only take full colour still shots, the cameras are designed for a recreational market, mainly of deer hunters in cold and temperate areas. Consequently, in research applications, the performance of the cameras is often disappointing, and hugely elaborate statistical modelling is used to overcome their deficiencies.
A research grade camera trap at an affordable price, that can do more than a Pantheracam, would be a great tool.
If you want to focus on one component then the passive infrared triggers need a complete re-work.
Peter Apps
4 October 2017 3:50pm
Thanks Peter! And is that something you'd be interested in working on as part of the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust?
4 October 2017 5:58pm
Certainly, John; camera trapping is one of our main tools, especially for work on chemical communication.
Peter
27 November 2018 2:51am
Hi Ross,
Let's connect - I am a social scientist that has been researching demand reduction and am working on some projects, including a website, that helps consumers avoid illegal "unsafe" souvenirs. I have a few ideas floating around in my head that would take someone more tech-savvy than me to know if feasible - maybe we can exchange thoughts via email. I'd love to hear more about your ideas to reduce demand!) Feel free to email me at [email protected].
Best, Rosemary