Using AI and satellites to protect biodiversity

Summary

Shalas Foundation is an indigenous non-profit in Northern Alberta, Canada, focused on protecting a culturally significant buffalo herd. The initiative uses cutting-edge technology, including satellite intelligence and AI, to monitor the impact of deforestation on the herd's habitat. In collaboration with teams like Cap Gemini, they aim to influence policy changes and promote biodiversity. The project highlights the importance of bridging indigenous knowledge with modern technology to advocate for sustainability and drive informed decision-making, ensuring a positive impact on both the environment and the community.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Shalas Foundation is an Indigenous-led, nonprofit organization focused on protecting a genetically unique buffalo herd in Northern Alberta, Canada.
• 🌍 The foundation's team includes Indigenous Elders, trappers, knowledge keepers, scientists, foresters, economists, and IT professionals from around the world.
• 🦓 The buffalo herd has cultural significance for Indigenous communities and is a central focus of the Shalas Foundation's conservation efforts.
• 🌳 Technology is being used to map environmental changes, including deforestation, that impact the buffalo herd and Indigenous land.
• 📡 Capgemini's partnership with Shalas Foundation involves using remote sensing technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor habitat changes.
• 🛰️ GEOS Satellite Intelligence (GSI) allows the team to analyze landscape changes from satellite imagery, tracking environmental shifts since the 1980s.
• 🌱 The collaboration between technology experts and Indigenous knowledge keepers aims to influence policy, promote sustainability, and preserve biodiversity.
• 🏞️ The use of AI and satellite technology enables the Shalas Foundation to quickly assess the impact of development on the land and its inhabitants.
• 👩‍💻 Shalas Foundation works with the government and industries to propose sustainable solutions that support biodiversity and Indigenous ways of life.
• 🌍 The project showcases how blending traditional Indigenous knowledge with modern scientific technology can address global environmental issues.
• ⏳ The efforts made by the Shalas Foundation represent a long-term commitment to climate action, requiring collective dedication and perseverance from all involved.

Q & A

What is the main mission of the Shagas Foundation?

The Shagas Foundation is dedicated to protecting a genetically unique buffalo herd that holds significant cultural value for an Indigenous community in Northern Alberta, Canada. It also aims to use technology to monitor and understand how deforestation and other environmental changes impact the herd and the surrounding land.

Who are the key members of the Shagas Foundation's team?

The Shagas Foundation was founded by a group of Indigenous Elders, trappers, and knowledge keepers from Northern Alberta. It also includes a diverse team of scientists, foresters, economists, and IT professionals from around the world who collaborate to achieve its goals.

What role does Shego’s team play in the Shagas Foundation's work?

Shego’s team is responsible for reconciling the relationship between people and nature. They work closely with other partners, such as Capgemini, to analyze landscape changes and communicate the insights gained to government policymakers and industry stakeholders.

How does the Shagas Foundation use technology to address environmental issues?

The Shagas Foundation utilizes advanced technologies, particularly remote sensing and artificial intelligence, to map and analyze changes in the landscape. Satellite imagery, in combination with data analytics, helps the team track the impact of deforestation on the Wabasca Wood Buffalo herd's habitat.

What is the significance of the Wabasca Wood Buffalo herd for Indigenous communities?

The Wabasca Wood Buffalo herd holds cultural and spiritual significance for Indigenous communities in Northern Alberta. The herd is seen as an essential part of their way of life, and its protection is crucial for maintaining cultural traditions and biodiversity.

How has Capgemini contributed to the Shagas Foundation’s efforts?

Capgemini has played a crucial role by providing remote sensing expertise and using artificial intelligence to analyze large-scale environmental data. Their tools, such as GEOS Satellite Intelligence (GSI), allow for rapid mapping of environmental changes and offer historical data, enabling a better understanding of trends over time.

What is GEOS Satellite Intelligence (GSI), and how is it used in this project?

GEOS Satellite Intelligence (GSI) is a set of tools and practices developed by Capgemini that uses satellite imaging to monitor large landscapes. It helps the Shagas Foundation track environmental changes, identify the impacts of development, and understand how these changes affect both the buffalo herd and the Indigenous way of life.

How does the Shagas Foundation plan to influence policy and industry practices?

The Shagas Foundation aims to influence policymakers and industry leaders by using data-driven insights from their research. By combining Indigenous knowledge with modern technology, they hope to demonstrate more sustainable and biodiversity-positive patterns of development that can be implemented across industries.

What are some of the long-term goals of the Shagas Foundation?

The Shagas Foundation's long-term goals include protecting the buffalo herd’s habitat, promoting biodiversity, and ensuring that Indigenous communities’ rights and knowledge are recognized in decision-making processes. They also seek to contribute to the global fight against climate change through sustainable development practices.

What challenges have been faced in this collaboration, and how were they overcome?

One of the main challenges has been integrating traditional Indigenous knowledge with modern technology. Overcoming this required close collaboration between Indigenous Elders and scientific teams. Through persistence and a commitment from all involved, the project successfully combined these approaches to influence both local and global conversations about sustainability and climate change.