Introducing the Drone Working Group

Do you use currently use drones in your wildlife work? Are you considering drones but were confused by the technology, permitting or potential safety and legal issues? Would you like to collaborate and share ideas and experiences with others who use drones in wildlife and natural resources work? Announcing the formation of the TWS Drone Working Group!

The primary mission of the Drone Working Group is to provide support and information to those in The Wildlife Society who use unmanned aerial systems (UAS), more commonly called drones, in natural resources/wildlife research and management and to see the use of this technology in our profession move forward professionally, ethically and legally.

The Drone Working Group works to increase awareness of drones for conducting wildlife management and survey activities and to promote their safe and ethical use by users in universities, federal and state governments and the private sector, including nongovernmental organizations.

The working group provides networking and communication opportunities for wildlife professionals working with drones in wildlife management, research and education and any other facet of drone use who would benefit from discussion and transfer of information between like-minded users. The working group plans to conduct special sessions and workshops at The Wildlife Society’s annual conference and other forums.

You may join the Drone Working Group online by logging in to your membership. Dues are $5. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Interim Chair Rick Spaulding. A draft charter is being developed and will be distributed in the near future to working group members for review and comment. We will hold our first official meeting in Louisville during the TWS annual conference in September.