From camera traps to satellites to drones, conservation technology is increasingly critical to ensuring that people and nature thrive. However, the inherent complexity of not only deploying technologies in the field but also doing so in a scientifically rigorous manner can prove a substantial barrier, and clear guidance on their use is frequently scattered or hidden behind paywalls. With that in mind, WWF has sought to maximise the effectiveness of technology for conservation, ecological research, and citizen science by providing experienced as well as new users with accessible and freely available, peer-edited guidance.

The three guidelines released so far cover camera traps, acoustic monitoring, and remote sensing with LiDAR. Each guideline aims to introduce the technology, help you decide if it is right for your needs, provide the information you need when selecting it, and then give detailed recommendations on how to use the technology to meet your goals. The information is readily accessible through a dedicated website which includes background information, a walk-through online assessment that gives users instant advice and information about how to use each tool, and Frequently Asked Questions that help answer common challenges that users face in the deployment of these tools. Each guideline is also freely available for download.

So whether you are a novice that wants a basic introduction, a highly skilled professional that is primarily interested in best practices for research, a citizen scientist with some questions about what the technology can and cannot do, or a practitioner that needs recommendations for selecting and deploying the technology, this is a resource for you.

Conservation Technology Guideline Website

Download the Guidelines