Since 1970, 3 billion birds (nearly 30% of the bird breeding population) have disappeared from North America. Data is vital for their preservation but many species are considered “data deficient”, meaning researchers lack the information needed to protect them.
In response, Lenovo took action by inspiring volunteers to come together and support the conservation of birds, their habitats and biodiversity, all while working remotely. The volunteers traveled far and wide, capturing birdsong in their free time, contributing to a larger mission.
Birdsong is a powerful tool for understanding and preserving bird populations. By capturing and analyzing birdsong, researchers can identify species, monitor populations, track migrations, and detect environmental changes. This invaluable data sheds light on bird behavior and habitat health, driving informed conservation efforts that are essential for reversing the decline and safeguarding many bird species for future generations.
To make this effort possible, Lenovo partnered with Bird Life International. Together, they created a top of the range camper van equipped with 5G and the latest portfolio of Lenovo technology. From Lenovo’s flexible tablets to wireless headsets, laptops, desktops, monitors and accessories, the bird van was a true mobile tech hub, built to ensure nothing got in the way of remote work. Volunteers could stay connected, capturing and sharing critical data no matter where their journey took them.
Also, an innovative tool developed by Cornell University allowed volunteers to store, communicate, and analyze wild birdsong along their routes. The Bird Van served as both a workplace and a mini research center on wheels, empowering volunteers to contribute to conservation while staying connected.
Four volunteers traveled thousands of miles from Myrtle Beach to Niagara Falls. Along the way they visited some of the best birding spots in North America to observe and capture birdsong data for eagles, falcons, hawks, storks, herons, egrets and more.
Each of the volunteers brought a unique expertise and passion. They were the project’s heart, and their commitment to conservation and data collection positively impacted the mission.
Harshit Bajpai
A Principal Data Scientist for The Mosaic Company, Harshit combined his expertise with a passion for photography and travel to further this cause. Harshit and his friend, Venktesh, embarked on the first leg from Myrtle Beach, SC to Baltimore, MD stopping at six campgrounds along the way to collect birdsong data.
Courtney Camp
Courtney, an ecologist for the state of Georgia, specializes in the habitat analysis of ecological resources. She and her friend Adaobi took the second leg from Baltimore, MD to Syracuse, NY with an exciting stop at Lums Pond State Park.
Shelle Baehner
A data analyst and cartographer by day, and artist that creates nature-based illustrations by night, Shelle and her friend David, drove through upstate New York into Niagara Falls and the beautiful Canadian surroundings.
Frank Oscar Weaver
The State Manager of Community Resilience and Sustainability at the Alianza Center, Frank’s mission is to empower Latinx communities to help create a more sustainable future. On the fourth leg, Frank and his wife Janelle drove from Buffalo, NY to Newark, NJ with a key stop at the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge.
Today, the Bird Van continues its mission in a new capacity. It has migrated north, to be used as a mobile service vehicle for Bird Canada members in the field. This allows them to service beacons and stations throughout the region. These beacons allow Bird Canada to track bird migration patterns, ultimately contributing to Motus, a public database that allows researchers and citizen scientists alike to access the migratory patterns of birds throughout North and South America, and even parts of EMEA.
By using its smarter technology to bring people together for the greater good, Lenovo enabled the collection of essential birdsong data to support species conservation efforts. The breadth of Lenovo’s wide technology portfolio made this possible, providing volunteers with its high-performance tablets, laptops, monitors, headsets, 5G connectivity and more to work effectively on the road. Demonstrating the potential of bringing together people, passion, and a mission to use tech for good, this project highlights how innovative solutions can drive meaningful, positive change within the communities all around us.
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