“The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago... had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands.”
Havelock Ellis.
A successful project is when lessons are learned!
Challenges in conservation are vast and varied, with multiple groups attempting to make a change. The road to success using advanced technology has so far eluded conservation, but we aim to keep trying, learning, educating and changing to a clean, fact-based process, that will eventually enable us to protect wildlife, habitat and human life.
Having a successful project requires many components, from a clear mission to a dedicated team, careful planning, attention to detail and effective communication. Without the right team in place, any strategy and plan has the potential of completely falling apart. Because of this, the core project staff, expert resources, suppliers and all stakeholders should be part of the team dynamic. All of those involved must have commitment to the group, share similar visions and strive for overall success. Additionally, the entire team should be completely informed and involved in order to have the most successful outcome, which means that communication has to be on par.
Comprehensive planning sets up a project for success from the start. All stakeholders should be on board during the planning process and always know in which direction the project is going to go. Good planning not only keeps the project team focused and on track, but also keeps stakeholders aware of project progress. Looking closely at details and listening to outside sources of information is vital to the success of a project. Keeping open communication within the team is absolutely essential. If a problem arises on one part of a project, it can negatively impact other parts as well. Communication is the best way to prevent problems from occurring.
Good communication also includes knowing when to say no. We never promise anything we know we can’t deliver. Saying no in the beginning could save an overabundance of unnecessary problems later. We strive to always be honest about what our team can do and when it can be done.
Below are a list of projects we have been involved in, in various fields.
Contact us for more information.
PROJECTS
Manned aircraft for civil protection and environmental monitoring (Europe).
In 2009 (Under Aeronautics) a civil protection agency ("911") in a west-European country initiated a manned ISR aircraft project, using a single prop aircraft with EO payloads and Downlink video and telemetry link.
The project was intended to serve two purposes.
1. To monitor routine activity in the area (Traffic, etc.) and enable agencies to respond quickly to any events, while providing an aerial image to local and HQ managers.
2. To monitor and help responders to any unusual environmental event such as lost hikers, fires, floods, etc.
Manned aircraft for civil protection (Police)
Since 2008 (Under Aeronautics) a police agency in a middle-eastern country initiated a manned ISR aircraft project, using a helicopter with EO payloads and optional downlink video and telemetry link.
The project was intended to serve police and civil protection goals, monitoring routine civil activity in the area (Traffic, etc.), detecting illegal events, assisting ground patrols and overseeing mass events. The systems enabled police agencies to respond quickly to events, while providing an aerial image to local and HQ commanders.
RESOLVE - Biodiversity and Wildlife Solutions Program
Advisor to RESOLV.org Biodiversity and Wildlife Solutions (BWS) core team.
The team has extensive knowledge, experience, and passion needed to effectively apply information and technology to conserve wildlife across ecosystems and countries. BWS harnesses the talents of a group of accomplished wildlife biologists, engineers, data analysts, trainers, and facilitators, with decades of experience applying technologies to wildlife research and conservation, to improve the management and conservation of endangered wildlife. Latest projects include a drone application for Human-wildlife conflicts and the development of a novel trap camera (Trail guard).
WRI - Searching innovative Technologies for Detecting and Preventing Illegal Logging.
Advisor to the World Resource Institude (WRI) - Forest Legality team.
The team has extensive knowledge, experience, and passion needed to effectively apply information and technology to conserve forests across ecosystems and countries. The WRI forest legality team has decided to explore additional advanced technology and specifically perimeter defense solutions, information platforms and other innovative technologies for detecting and preventing illegal logging.
Global conservation - Site surveys
Global Conservation is the a nature conservation group who's sole mission is the direct funding of park protection systems for saving our most important and endangered world heritage and national parks in developing countries.
We work closley with Global conservation to objectively, and openly asses conservation areas around the world and lead to a fact-based, result-oriented implementation.
Our latest project surveyed the Corcovado national park in Costa Rica, to evaluate the threat from local gold mining and hunting on the gentle flora and fauna in the area.
Israel nature and park authority (Protection)
NC Advisor to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA).
Examining the adaptation of technologies to the INPA mission.
The INPA is a governmental body charged with the protection of nature, landscape and heritage in Israel. To carry out these functions properly, the INPA has three main goals:
1. Protection of biodiversity, ecosystems and landscapes in national parks, nature reserves and open spaces.
2. Protection of heritage sites in national parks and nature reserves and fostering them for the benefit of visitors.
3. Education to instill the values of protection of nature, landscape and heritage sites and to increase public awareness of these issues.
WWF Wildlife Crime Technology project
Expert Consultant for the WWF WCTP team (2013-14)
In December 2012, Google awarded WWF-US a $5 million Global Impact Award to create an umbrella of technology to protect wildlife.
The project was intended to give governments battling wildlife crime a vital advantage with a new integrated network of technologies.
Under the project guidelines, I worked with the team, taking them through an educational process on possible technologies for conservation, Operational analysis of candidate sites, Analysis of possible solutions, An extensive RFI-P-Q process and a field test leading up to one of the first UAS training sessions in conservation
Wildlife conservation UAV Challenge
Expert consultant for The Wildlife Conservation UAV Challenge by Kashmir Robotics. Created to stimulate innovation among bright people from around the globe, by creating an objective to design aircraft that can perform the mission - under $3,000. Personally, Even though the challenge may not be feasible operationally, it's goal is primarily to bring ideas that can later inspire further development in the field, while bringing the problem of wildlife poaching to a wider audience.
Under the challenge guidelines, I worked with the leadership team to enhance the challenge framework, bringing in realistic expectations, assisting in the process of candidate assessment, challenge guidelines and criteria, test scenarios and ultimately evaluating candidates all the way to the final stage
The ACPU pilot project (Independent)
An independent Wildeas project awaiting funding. Primarily a concept of a modular mobile ranger unit with high-end sensors, aimed at overcoming barriers, providing rangers with extended range and proactive effectiveness.
The ACPU pilot project will not use a specific system but is designed to provide each site's specific needs. Not meant to replace a ranger unit but to empower and extend their coverage and operational possibilities available to existing units to cover an area even 1000 times larger than is currently possible. The concept consists of high-performance, state of the art elements integrated into one unit and with time, connected to a central command, assuring the best, cost-effective solution to detection, surveillance, management and response functionalities.
Wildeas test site for humanitarian and conservation technologies.
The test site project is in the making -
An African site/s where technologies relevant for humanitarian or conservation causes can come, openly test, integrate and display their actual performance for representatives of humanitarian and conservation agencies, projects, parks and activities that can then make an informative decision on their path. Creating a base of cooperation and development for us all.