Drones for Conservation - Field Guide for Photographers, Researchers, Conservationists and Archaeologists: Environmental Conservation & Heritage Preservation

The pace of technological change is breathtaking. Current cell phones have the
capacity that main frame computers did when I was a graduate student. Molecular
biology uses technology that changes on almost a daily basis.

And now drones are upon us. Their ubiquity and uses proliferate faster than
needed good sense of where they are appropriate and when not. But what about
clear positives, like aiding conservation?

Drones for Conservation is essentially just in its infancy, but while we can lament
the possible consequent avoidance of a good slog of a field study, we can already
see multiple benefits falling from the skies as it were. Yes there are insights that
can only come from careful on the ground field research, but the ability of drones
to soar over the conservation priority at hand is rapidly empowering conservation
and conservation science.

Kike Calvo, a highly talented National Geographic Creative photographer and
conservationist, had the prescience to understand the potential of drones. And much
as the photographer that he is likes to share his images, Kike as a conservationist,
has generously created this book to share some early and great examples in which
conservation has benefited from this 21st century emerging technology.

So Drones for Conservation is very much a first. With actual examples from around
the world, it also has very practical sections on how to use drones effectively - as
usual there is never a substitute for carefully thinking out a project in advance.
This comes at a time when the pressure on nature and biological diversity is
unprecedented, and, unfortunately, accelerating. So anything technology can do
to make the collective conservation enterprise more effective is highly welcome
and will benefit future generations.

The conservation and science conservation community owe a debt of gratitude
for this energetic young photographer and conservationist. Knowing him, the
preferred form of payment is in conservation and science.

Thomas E. Lovejoy
University Professor of Environmental Science and Policy
George Mason University
National Geographic Conservation Fellow