One of the coolest endeavors I’ve come across in recent years of reporting has been the effort to develop “conservation drones” — model aircraft that are now being used to patrol parks, combat poaching, conduct scientific research, and survey wildlife. I am therefore thrilled to announce that Mongabay.org is now the fiscal sponsor for ConservationDrones.org, the leading platform for disseminating information about the emerging field of conservation drones.
Conservation drone training in Nepal
ConservationDrones.org was started by Lian Pin Koh and Serge Wich, scientists who have been pioneering conservation drone development. Koh and Wich have now “droned” in several countries, training a wide range of researchers, conservationists, and authorities on the art and the science of conservation drones. Projects have included counting orangutan nest sites, helping Nepalese authorities better monitor protected areas, and surveying sea turtle nests in Gabon, supporting enforcement of marine conservation areas.
Series of photos taken from a conservation stitched together to create an extremely high resolution montage.
This partnership means that ConservationDrones.org can now receive tax-deductible donations. So if you are interested in supporting their efforts, please visit their web site.