Audubon Society Leverages AI to Safeguard Threatened Species

In October 2025, the National Audubon Society is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and remote sensing for wildlife conservation. Backed by a $30 million award from the Bezos Earth Fund, the project aims to revolutionize the way Audubon and its partners monitor the effectiveness of their efforts to protect species and habitats.

The centerpiece of the initiative is the deployment of remote sensors in newly protected areas across Latin America. These sensors will use bioacoustics to record birdsong and other wildlife sounds, providing valuable data on biodiversity. Audubon is partnering with local communities, who will play a crucial role in collecting and sharing this information.

"We're engaging local communities who are the ultimate stewards of these protected areas of Latin America," says Audubon CEO Elizabeth Gray. "They are going to be helping us collect the data from these remote sensing devices." This community-driven approach, combined with cutting-edge AI analysis, promises to be a game-changer for conservation.

The Audubon project is one of 15 winners announced by the Bezos Earth Fund, all of which leverage AI to address pressing environmental challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity. As the demand for AI grows, the fund is committed to ensuring its impact on the planet is net positive.