WK 34 - Big Data, Big Opportunities, and Big Problems: Challenges and Solutions for Building Camera Networks Across Geopolitical and Institutional Boundaries

Friday, August 19, 2022

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM EDT

Location: Virtual Session (Zoom)

Organizer(s)

LC

Laurence Clarfeld, n/a

Postdoctoral Researcher
Vermont Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Vermont, United States

Co-organizer(s)

AS

Alexej Sirén

Postdoctoral Researcher
Vermont Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
PJ

Paul Jensen, n/a

Adjunct Faculty
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, United States
TW

Tammy Wilson

Assistant Coop Unit Leader
U.S. Geological Survey, Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, United States
CB

Cathleen Ballantic

Research Scientist
National Park Service, Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division, United States
JF

Jacqueline Frair

Associate Professor
SUNY ESF, Roosevelt Wild Life Station, United States
TD

Therese Donovan

Assistant Coop Unit Leader
U.S. Geological Survey, Vermont Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, United States

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Session Description: Collecting ecological and environmental data over broad spatial extents is a challenging yet necessary endeavor in the face of ongoing climate and land use change. Remote sensors (e.g., camera traps) are one solution to this problem, providing abundant data to tackle applied and fundamental questions. However, expanding studies beyond local or landscape scales and across jurisdictional boundaries, can be challenging due to myriad logistical and legal factors, including how to collect, manage, tag, and share large datasets. In this workshop, we introduce the Northeast Wildlife Monitoring Network (NEWMN) – a novel and holistic approach for managing and processing data from large scale camera trap networks. First, we will demonstrate the workflow of NEWMN, a camera trap network spanning five northeastern US states, to highlight managing collaborations involving diverse organizations. Using various forms of information technology, we show how our workflow leverages automation to pipe data from the field to a secure, public repository, providing critical data that can be shared for ecological research and monitoring. We also demonstrate tagging platforms using a centralized and open access repository that allows for flexible and efficient photo tagging. Finally, we discuss logistical and legal challenges and provide guidance on these topics. Our panel will include guest speakers from across the globe working on similar approaches to scale up local camera trap networks to monitor earth systems. We welcome participants to engage our panel and share their experiences working on collaborative projects that are using remote sensors.