Session: OOWS-452
Unmanned Aerial Systems and Wildlife: A Tool For Conservation Innovation

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS or Drones) are important tools for conservation research. Drones create new perspectives in photogrammetry and survey-based research that assist marine conservation managers in important decision-making processes that provide protection to wildlife and resources. Drones are more cost effective than manned aircraft currently used to survey marine habitats, and drones provide more timely, accurate, and higher... [ view more ]

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS or Drones) are important tools for conservation research. Drones create new perspectives in photogrammetry and survey-based research that assist marine conservation managers in important decision-making processes that provide protection to wildlife and resources. Drones are more cost effective than manned aircraft currently used to survey marine habitats, and drones provide more timely, accurate, and higher quality data. 

Alimosphere a small women owned business tailored a workshop specifically for research biologists to integrate the UAS technology safely and responsibly. This workshop is designed to provide an overview of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) technology, regulations and image analysis in support of drone applications. It is targeted towards participants with little to no experience in UAS technology who are interested exploring practical applications of UAS.

The workshop will give participants the ability to prepare for field flight operations using various UAS platforms. Additionally, we’ll discuss geospatial technologies for monitoring and mapping natural resources with hands-on experience on practical examples.

The wildlife and drone seminar has been developed using scientific research to address disturbance and the seminar has been used to teach researchers in California on the various applications for research and flight skills necessary for safe and responsible flights.