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As industry leaders in impact assessment and resource monitoring, WEST’s experts work to identify, evaluate, and implement technological solutions to design and execute state-of-the-art scientific monitoring and survey methods to best meet clients’ needs.
We have applied technological solutions to natural resource challenges utilizing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), also known as drones, in wildlife studies. We have commercially licensed UAS pilots, including a lead pilot with over 10 years of experience using UAS for wildlife applications. WEST UAS staff have the skills and knowledge required to successfully design and implement UAS flights. UAS can provide standard high-resolution video and stills, thermal-infrared imaging, and multi-spectral imaging for natural resource projects with minimal disruption to wildlife and their environments.
By combining UAS and machine learning expertise, WEST statisticians and artificial intelligence developers are recognized experts in designing efficient and effective sampling designs and data collection protocols. This includes fast and effective target classification code and highly predictive and optimal machine learning classification algorithms allowing us to successfully manage large datasets. WEST UAS studies focus on the use of machine learning to detect objects in images collected by a drone, and our experts can help design, manage, and implement UAS machine learning studies.
415 West 17th Street, Suite 200
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001
Phone: 307-634-1756
Fax: 307-637-6981
[email protected]
6715 8 St NE, Suite S138
Calgary, Alberta, T2E 7H7
Phone: 587-432-3015
[email protected]
WEST is conducting a multi-year study to assess the distribution and occupancy of Hawaiian hoary bats on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, and is nearing completion of the second of four years of planned data collection. The key objectives of the study are to 1) provide information on bat occupancy, distribution, and detection probabilities specific to the island of Oahu, 2) examine seasonal changes in distribution by estimating seasonal changes in occupancy, and 3) collect data that can be used to assess Hawaiian hoary bat habitat-use relationships at an island-wide scale. The study is being conducted with oversight from Hawaii’s Endangered Species Research Committee and is a cooperative effort engaging multiple agencies and private entities. Information gained from the study will inform future conservation efforts targeting Hawaii’s only endemic land mammal by identifying areas of the island that have higher year-round use by or that may be seasonally important to Hawaiian hoary bats. Results of the study will also provide insights into potential study designs for monitoring long-term trends in occupancy as an index of population status.
