Friends of Nemours: A Bird’s-Eye View: Drone Science with a LIVE Demonstration

***This is an exclusive, invitation-only event for our Friends of Nemours Wildlife Foundation giving society.***

Akshit Suthar, a Ph.D. student at the James C. Kennedy Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation Center at Clemson University, whom Nemours is helping to support in his research, is using advanced technology including drones and artificial intelligence to assess waterbird populations and habitat features in South Carolina’s historic rice fields. These historic fields are now crucial habitat for migratory waterfowl and a wide variety of avian species including Wood Storks, White Pelicans, Roseate Spoonbills and Black Rails. Akshit’s cutting-edge research provides more accurate survey data for ducks and waterbirds while simultaneously minimizing disturbance to their natural behaviors.

If you are a member of Duck Unlimited, you can read more about his project on page 77 of the current Jan/Feb edition of their magazine!

Friends of Nemours (donors who make a cumulative annual contribution of $1,000 or more) are invited to join the Nemours Wildlife Foundation team and Akshit for coffee and pastries before he presents an in-depth look at his scientific research. Afterward, we’ll take a 0.5-mile walk along hard-packed dirt roads to our newly constructed observation tower (1-mile round trip), where you can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of one of Nemours’ historic rice field complexes while Akshit conducts a live demonstration of thermal imaging and other drone survey techniques. For those with mobility concerns, shuttle service to the observation tower is available upon request.

REGISTRATION
Registration is required, as capacity on the observation tower is limited. This exclusive event is reserved for active donors of the Friends of Nemours giving society, ensuring a meaningful experience for all participants. Friends are encouraged to register using the link provided in the email invitation, which was sent on Thursday, Jan. 23.

If you would like to check the status of your Friends giving or have any questions, please contact Sara Miller, Donor Relations & Development Coordinator, at 843-510-6603 or smiller@nemourswildlife.org.