Nature Tech & Innovation

Our Ecology Department is where smart technology and nature conservation come together to solve real-world challenges for wildlife and habitats. 

We design and deliver Nature Tech: tools and systems that help ecologists and conservationists to monitor, understand, and protect biodiversity more effectively

 

Why Nature Tech Matters

Nature is facing growing pressures and we need solutions that keep pace. By bringing together ecology, data science, and emerging tools, our Nature Tech & Innovation approach helps turn information into action.
This allows us to shift from slow, manual processes to smarter, tech-assisted monitoring; reducing workloads, increasing accuracy, and putting actionable insights into the hands of ecologists. That means less time behind a screen, and more time making a real impact on the ground.

Our Approach

Our Nature Tech & Innovation work creates practical, scalable solutions that make biodiversity monitoring easier, faster, and more meaningful.

We design systems that:

• • Collect data efficiently from the field, even in remote or sensitive areas

• • Process complex ecological information using AI and automation

• • Turn data into insights that inform better conservation decisions

These tools help us, and our partners, better understand the natural world and respond to it with purpose

The Technologies We Leverage

We develop, test and apply these tools in real-life settings, from urban parks in the Netherlands to war-affected regions of Ukraine. Every project strengthens our collective ability to monitor, understand, and protect biodiversity.

We work with:

• • Acoustic sensors that detect species and assess diversity through sound

• • Camera traps that quietly record wildlife activity, day and night

• • eDNA analysis to detect species through samples, without disturbing them

• • Drones that offer a bird’s-eye view of landscapes for comprehensive mapping

• • GIS and remote sensing to map habitat conditions and spatial patterns

• • Machine learning models for fast automated detection and analysis

By working across disciplines and collaborating with global partners, we help ecologists and organisations deploy tools that are not only innovative, but purpose-built to support biodiversity. Our goal is clear: is to scale evidence-based, tech-enabled strategies that help nature thrive; in the Netherlands, across Europe, and globally.

A Collaborative Ecosystem

Nature Tech thrives through collaboration. One of our key strengths is building bridges: between ecologists and engineers, between research labs and real-life habitats, between local initiatives and international networks.

We work closely with:

• • Technology developers building sensors, AI models, and analysis platforms

• • Ecologists and field researchers who help ground our work in real-world biodiversity needs

• • Academic institutions and conservation NGOs contributing knowledge, tools, and pilot sites

• • Infrastructure and industry partners exploring how monitoring supports sustainability goals

This collaborative approach ensures that the technology we develop or use isn’t just advanced – it’s applicable, accessible, and impactful. We also actively scout, evaluate, and connect with emerging innovators in the conservation tech space. Our role is to bring the right people and tools together, aligning technical potential with ecological value.

 

Do you want to join us in shaping the future of nature conservation?