How Technology is Revolutionizing Our Connection to the Outdoors

At this point, we all know that our dependency on screens is ubiquitous. Despite this fact, there is rapidly approaching demand from the public to reconnect back with the natural world.

In the age of AI and modern technology advancements, we are now becoming more and more aware that technology can be a bridge to that connection.

Given that, the old apple ads that said, “There’s an app for that,” indeed applies here. Mobile applications such as Merlin and eBird, crafted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, present a unique glimpse into the world of birds. These apps seamlessly merge technology and nature, promoting understanding, appreciation, and conservation. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just curious, they offer an immersive experience that links urban living with the grandeur of the outdoors.

I’ve touched upon Merlin and eBird in my Birdwatching in the age of AI paper, but I’d like to delve deeper in this post. Here’s are just some of the ways these apps can benefit us all

Education and Awareness

For novices and experts alike, Merlin is like having a personal bird identification assistant. Enter key details like location, date, color, and size, and Merlin suggests potential matches. Rich in photographs, sounds, and information, it educates users about their feathered neighbors. During my time volunteering for the Audubon Society, I had the privilege of guiding numerous individuals on field trips and teaching them to use Merlin. It was during these outings that I observed the transformative power of firsthand interactions with birds. Merlin became an indispensable tool on these trips. Its rich gallery of photographs, sounds, and information helped us identify key field characteristics right on the spot, thus bridging the gap between mere observation and true understanding.

Citizen Science

eBird stands as one of the most significant citizen science endeavors related to biodiversity. It enables users to log bird sightings and monitor migrations in real-time. Each entry, however small, feeds into a global repository. The eBird app played an instrumental role during my presentation to my classmates. While I didn’t attempt to dive into the underlying code behind the technology, giving the class an overview about the significance of how each logged sighting can play into much larger subjects such as understanding bird populations, their movements, and their evolving habits in response to a changing environment was incredibly valuable for the class to learn. Everyone can feel like they are part of something bigger through their engagement with the technology.

Conservation

eBird’s mapping of bird species distribution aids conservationists in pinpointing crucial habitats. Such data-driven methodologies ensure that these sanctuaries are conserved and rejuvenated. While mapping out field trips, I’ve used eBird’s mapping feature to identify rare birds and also plan out informative and engaging outdoor excursions.

Community Engagement

eBird fosters global camaraderie among bird enthusiasts. Shared lists, prominent birding locations, and monthly challenges motivate users to contribute, nurturing a community bound by a shared passion for nature. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to build a vibrant community of fellow birding enthusiasts. What started as isolated trips and lectures has now blossomed into a tight-knit community, all bound by our shared passion for nature and avian wonders. eBird has been central to this journey. Shared lists, prominent birding locations, and monthly challenges have been a source of shared excitement, learning, and camaraderie. Each member feels a sense of ownership, contributing to a collective that not only furthers the cause of bird conservation but also fosters lifelong friendships.

A Gateway to the Outdoors

In the digital world, Merlin and eBird act as guideposts for users to engage with nature. They’re more than just apps; they’re digital companions for both spectators to active community leaders to participate global conservation efforts such as protecting birds and their habitats.

The Technology Behind It All

Merlin and eBird harness AI and machine learning to optimize user interaction. It is used to personalize Bird identification, for example using the Merlin Photo ID feature can identify a bird simply by uploading a picture. There are thousands of crowdsourced photos of these birds provided now, that trains and learns what birds they are. eBird provides a robust data analytics platform, which based on the continuous sightings logged by users will learn and can ultimately predict bird migrations. As an AI/ML model, the feedback loop from users contributing to these apps will only get better over time.

So what’s next?

Even the finest apps can improve. Merlin and eBird, vital to birdwatchers and conservationists, have potential areas of growth. Enriching the database with rarer species could enthrall both researchers and enthusiasts. Integrating Augmented Reality (AR) can revolutionize how users perceive birds in their habitats. Additionally, including other fauna and flora can transform these apps into holistic nature platforms. The potential is boundless, and with global efforts converging on planet conservation, these tools can spearhead significant positive change.