Using Technology to Save the World's Wildlife

WHO: Conservation technologist Shah Selbe, a National Geographic Society Explorer and Marine Conservation Action Fund (MCAF) Fellow, will explain the connection between ecosystems and technology as it relates to creating “smart homes” for wildlife to ensure a future full of iconic animals, like elephants, bluefin, tuna, and tigers. MCAF is a New England Aquarium program that offers micro grants to small conservation projects around the developing world.

WHAT: Earth is currently in the midst of the sixth mass extinction where poaching, overfishing, and habitat destruction are driving wildlife populations to critically low levels. Conservation needs better methods to help mitigate the effects of climate change and human impact.

Through his work as a National Geographic Explorer, Selbe developed innovative conservation technologies to help protect wildlife and their habitats around the world. He created FishNET, a platform approach that uses technology to detect and track illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing worldwide. He is a satellite propulsion systems engineer at Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems and the Southern California region representative of Engineers Without Borders. This work has taken him to the beaches of Palau, wetlands of Botswana, mangroves on Caribbean Islands, and many more.

WHEN: The free lecture takes place Thursday, March 31 at 7 p.m.

WHERE: New England Aquarium’s Simons IMAX Theatre, Central Wharf, Boston, Mass.

HOW: Register online: http://support.neaq.org/site/Calendar?id=106425&view=Detail

NOTE: The Aquarium hosts a series of informative free lectures, films, and discussions for the community this spring. The Lowell Institute supports the lectures. Most are available on the Aquarium’s YouTube channel afterward. Pre-registration is encouraged on the Aquarium’s website, http://www.neaq.org/education_and_activities/programs_and_classes/aquarium_lecture_series/index.php or call 617-973-5200 for more information.