Harnessing AI for Invasive Species Detection

Join NAISMA for a dynamic webinar, Harnessing AI for Invasive Species Detection : Smart Traps, Drones, and Machine Learning in Action. This will showcase how artificial intelligence is transforming invasive species detection and monitoring across ecosystems. Through innovative applications like smart traps, drones, and machine learning, researchers and practitioners are unlocking new tools to manage biological invasions more effectively and efficiently.

Dr. Melissa Miller from the University of Florida will present her work on developing AI-powered smart traps designed to detect and remove invasive tegu lizards—large, fast-moving reptiles that threaten native wildlife and agriculture in the southeastern U.S. Dr. Thomas O’Shea-Wheller from the University of Exeter will share his team’s research on using deep learning models to detect invasive hornets in real time, offering critical insights for rapid response and containment. Representing Ducks Unlimited Canada, Matthew Bolding and Mallory Carpenter will discuss their efforts to integrate drone technology and AI to monitor populations of European water chestnut, a fast-spreading aquatic invasive plant impacting wetland biodiversity and water quality.

This webinar will highlight how emerging technologies are being adapted and applied to meet the challenges of invasive species detection in the field—providing a glimpse into the future of smart conservation.

Register here.