We recently caught up with Anne Dangerfield, project manager & field coordinator at Arribada Initiative, to discuss the organization’s goal of building a better camera trap. Anne recently became a certified tree climber in an effort to advance Arribada’s monitoring of the canopies of the Peruvian Amazon.

Learn more below about how Anne and her team is using our 17 Watt Solar Panel to keep their innovative system running.

Image Courtesy of Arribada Institute

Read our interview with Anne below and learn how our 17 Watt Solar Panel is helping push Arribada’s work forward.

Q. Why did you set out to build a better camera trap?

Anne:
“Camera traps are standard tools used by biologists and conservationists to understand animal life and biodiversity in an environment. Traditional camera traps are placed near the ground so researchers can easily access the photographs they take and change the batteries, usually on a daily or weekly time scale. This works very well for many environments. However, in tropical rain forests, the majority of life lives in the tree canopy where it is difficult to install and access camera traps.”

Q. What is different about Arribada’s design and implementation?

Anne:
Arribada’s Arboreal Monitoring Platform was designed to overcome these challenges by using a wireless network to transmit photographs and solar panels to provide long-term power. This means scientists can receive data from the cameras for months or years without having to climb into the canopy to access them.”

Q. What made you choose Voltaic solar panels?

Anne:
“Our cameras use Voltaic Systems rugged, industrial solar panels because they have to withstand harsh conditions. During our most recent deployment in the Amazon Rainforest, our cameras were exposed to thunderstorms, wind, rain, insects and plant growth. When we brought the cameras down after a year and 1/2, the solar panels were still functioning.”

Q. What is the Arboreal Monitoring Platform?

Anne:
The Arboreal Monitoring Platform is an open-source design built with technology developers Institute Irnas. It uses off-the-shelf components to keep customer affordable. In addition to Voltaic Systems solar panels, the camera uses Nanuk suitcases, PiRA IoT battery pack and RaspberryPi computers.”

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