Open Forum

The Society for Conservation Biology has recently approved the Drones and Data Working Group (D&D WG) for provisional status.

The Drones and Data Working Group aims to support the ethical, environmentally responsible and scientifically robust use of drones and drone-derived data in biodiversity conservation. The focus of the group is on strengthening scientific standards, wildlife-safe operations, transparent and reproducible data workflows, responsible use of geospatial tools and AI, and practical guidance on permitting, regulation, and operational best practice.

The Working Group is intended to provide a clear and coordinated home within SCB for members working with drones and conservation data, while complementing - not duplicating - existing Sections, Communities of Practice, and external initiatives. Rather than replacing or competing with topic-specific groups, the Drones and Data WG is designed to operate as a cross-cutting, enabling Working Group that supports multiple conservation domains by addressing shared technical, data, and governance challenges.

The WG will coordinate with relevant SCB Sections, committees, and Communities of Practice where drones and data are already in use (e.g. marine, terrestrial, freshwater, policy, and methods-focused groups), helping to align standards, share lessons learned, and connect applied practice across the Society. In this way, the group aims to strengthen coherence and shared learning across applied conservation technology efforts within and beyond SCB.

Members may also wish to explore how the Drones and Data Working Group could complement existing SCB efforts and, if appropriate, contribute to discussions around the currently dormant Conservation Technology Working Group: https://conbio.org/groups/working-groups/conservation-technology-working-group

As a provisional Working Group, we are actively inviting SCB members to help shape the scope, priorities, and activities of the Drones and Data WG. This includes discussing where the group can add the most value within SCB, how it should interface with existing working groups and coordination mechanisms, and what guidance or activities would best support conservation outcomes.

An Expression of Interest form is now open for those who would like to join the Working Group and participate in its early development:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKxh3-e2duORzdqvuD2UCqC-Cpp7booTdWu7zFSHYPV0HOfw/viewform

Participation is open to SCB members at any level (including Associate membership), as well as non-member students, researchers, and practitioners working with or interested in drones, remote sensing, geospatial data, and conservation data systems.

The inaugural virtual meeting 'SCB Drones and Data Working Group (D&D WG) – First Meeting' will be held on:

• Tuesday 20 January 2025 
• 12:30 UK / 13:30 CET / 22:30 Brisbane / 07:30 US Eastern

This first meeting will introduce the Working Group, outline its provisional objectives, and provide an open forum for participants to discuss priorities, coordination with other SCB groups and communities, and potential activities for 2025–2026. If interest is high, we will split this into two time zone suitable meetings.

We warmly invite SCB members to join the discussion and help frame how drones and data can best support biodiversity conservation within the Society.

David Guerin, Provisional Chair, david@naturedrones.org 

Please email me for a copy of the Concept Note for the D&D pWG.

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David Guerin
Volunteer:
Non-profit: Nature Drones CiC
Non-profit: Global Drone Forum / Global Drone Regulations Database
Secretary Royal Aerosociety: RPAAS Specialist Group
Founder/co-organiser: Global Conservaton Tech & Drone Forum Global Conservation Tech & Drone Forum

Australia
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