NEWS & BLOG
NATURE FIRST WORKSHOP IN ROMANIA: EXPLORING FORENSIC INTELLIGENCE FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
We are thrilled to share insights from the Nature FIRST Field Site Workshop in Romania, which took place from October 2nd to October 6th, 2023. Hosted in Bucharest and Tulcea, this workshop brought together key stakeholders in the Romanian Environmental, Agriculture, and Fishing sectors to explore and learn more about the innovative Nature FIRST project. Here's a glimpse of the events that unfolded during this informative and impactful week.
DIGITAL TWINS FOR ECOLOGY AND NATURE CONSERVATION: AN INTERVIEW WITH ANNA DAVISON
The Nature FIRST project makes use of digital twins to create model-driven, continuous ecosystem monitoring beyond simple species counts. These digital twins serve as a means for learning, improving monitoring models, and translating environmental observations into actionable information for site managers and policymakers. But what are some common misconceptions around the concept of a digital twin? What are some challenges they face, and how can they assist decision-makers in safeguarding our natural ecosystems? And what is their role in the Nature FIRST project? Join us for an interview with Anna Davison, a PhD Candidate at Wageningen University & Research, as she answers these questions and more.
UNVEILING THE ISSUE OF BEAR POACHING IN BULGARIA: AN INTERVIEW WITH VLADIMIR TODOROV
It is estimated that hundreds of bears are poached every year all over Europe. Reasons for it vary, including human-wildlife conflicts and trophy poaching. Such cases also happen in Stara Planina mountain, one of the field sites of the Nature FIRST project. Join us for an interview with Vladimir Todorov, Assistant at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, a consortium member of Nature FIRST, to learn more about the current state of bear poaching in Bulgaria and the measures taken to stop it.
NATURE FIRST: FORENSIC INTELLIGENCE AND REMOTE SENSING TECHNOLOGIES TO PROTECT BIODIVERSITY
In February, six months after the project kicked off, the Nature FIRST consortium held its first General Assembly event in South Africa, to discuss current achievements, the present and the future of the project.
MAMBO: NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR REMOTE BIODIVERSITY MONITORING
We are happy to share some news about the project MAMBO, Nature FIRST’s sister project!
MAMBO project aims to develop, test, and implement enabling tools for monitoring conservation status and ecological requirements of species and habitats for which knowledge gaps still exist.
THE IMPACT OF THE WAR IN UKRAINE ON BIODIVERSITY AND NATURE CONSERVATION
War affects the natural world in ways that can often be overlooked. From ancient times to the present day, wars have always had a profound impact on the environment, causing long-lasting and far-reaching damage to ecosystems, wildlife, and natural resources. This takes place in the form of fires, deforestation, pollution, planted landmines and the abandonment of sites that need protection or become dangerous, among others. With modern warfare, the destruction has only become more severe. Join us for a conversation with Ostap Reshetylo, project manager at our network partner’s World Wildlife Fund Ukraine, to learn more about the environmental impact of the war in Ukraine, its current and future implications, and what can be done.
POWER OF DYNAMIC DATA FOR DIGITAL TWINS: AN INTERVIEW WITH KOEN DE KONING
To prevent biodiversity loss, we need information about endangered species: where they live and how they move. In other words, we need data about habitat areas and migration routes. But how can one accurately track wild animals? Join us for a chat with Koen de Koning to find out.
STAFFORDSHINE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY PARTNERS WITH NATURE FIRST TO PROTECT BIODIVERSITY
Staffordshire University, an award-winning British public university, has joined Nature FIRST as a Consortium Member. Over the next three years, together with 12 global partners, they will develop tech solutions based on forensic intelligence and remote sensing technologies for nature conservation.