Held as a hybrid event at Griffith University, the Showcase featured live presentations, demonstrations, and discussions on tools like acoustic monitoring, drones, AI, eDNA, and 4G cameras — showing how technology is reshaping what communities can achieve for nature.
More than 600 people registered, with around 300 joining live from across the country — in person and online. The event built connections between researchers and communities and inspired new collaborations to adopt practical, low-cost technology in conservation projects.
Participants particularly valued the diversity of speakers, the range of technologies showcased, and the engaging, inclusive atmosphere.
The Showcase featured 12 speakers covering 9 different technologies, with sessions exploring how innovation and Cultural Knowledge are working together to protect Australia’s wildlife.
Session 1
Maitland Wilson and Harry Wilson – Minyumai Rangers
Cultural knowledge meets cutting-edge technology. The Minyumai Rangers shared how they combine Traditional land management with modern monitoring tools to amplify outcomes for Country.
Kieran Aland – Frontier Labs
An introduction to acoustic monitoring and the role of cost-effective devices that record nature’s soundscapes to track biodiversity at scale.
Video coming soon.
Dr Daniella Teixeira – Queensland University of Technology
A deep dive into how bioacoustic data is being used to locate Glossy Black-Cockatoos and assess their habitat across Queensland and beyond.
Session 2
Dan Carter – Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC)
Exploring how Quandamooka Traditional Owners are using technology to protect cultural heritage and environmental values across land and sea Country.
Roxane Blackley – Desert Channels Queensland
A practical look at how drones, data platforms, and remote sensors are being used to monitor wildlife and habitat in Queensland’s arid interior.
Josh Cooper – National Malleefowl Recovery Team
How LiDAR mapping is transforming the way scientists and volunteers understand Malleefowl habitat and track population recovery.
Sydney Collett – Burnett Mary Regional Group
Real-world insights into which technologies deliver the best conservation outcomes on the ground, based on years of regional threatened-species monitoring.
Session 3
Professor Mark de Bruyn – Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, Griffith University DNA Sequencing Facility
An introduction to eDNA – how species can be detected from a drop of water or a pinch of soil, offering a game-changing approach to biodiversity surveys.
Tamielle Brunt – Wildlife Queensland
How community groups are using eDNA sampling to better understand and protect elusive platypus populations in creeks and rivers.
Session 4
Douglas Kerlin – Griffith University
Demonstrating how AI-driven road-strike camera networks are helping reduce koala deaths on busy transport corridors.
Hadley Mills – City of Gold Coast
How drones, AI, and 4G networks are helping councils and land managers map and manage invasive deer populations in urban environments.
Session 5
Panel featuring Guy Castley, Roxane Blackley, Kieran Aland, and Daniella Teixeira
A lively discussion on where conservation technology is heading next — from data ethics to accessibility, innovation, and citizen-science leadership.
View recording coming soon.
This project received grant funding through Inspiring Australia – An Australian Government Initiative.