Survey wildlife with the help of artificial intelligence 

As the saying goes, we cannot protect what we don’t know. That’s what this citizen science project is about! It is called FOOTPRINTS, and it aims to deepen our knowledge of the animals we share the fjords, mountains, and forests with—the very landscapes we use as our winter playground. The project targets nationally designated protected areas across Norway that have been identified as lacking critical biodiversity data. To address this knowledge gap, machine learning experts from Artsdatabanken (Norway's Species Map Service) are developing an open-access mobile app that will identify animal footprints. As far as we know, this is the first app that will be able to identify wildlife tracks in the snow! But the algorithm is a newborn artificial intelligence, and it is in its learning phase. One must teach the app before it teaches us, and this is where you can contribute to the FOOTPRINTS project! How? By joining outings, looking for animal tracks in the snow with our wildlife biologists, and by challenging the app while teaching the model how to be more accurate in the future. All your observations will be saved in open-access naturalist databases, which then inform authorities and land managers about the local biodiversity they have the responsibility to protect. For Rissa Citizen Science, the FOOTPRINTS project is also a valuable opportunity to promote awareness about coexistence. While nature is often seen as a resource for profit or a space for recreation, we sometimes overlook the fact that it is also home to countless other species. The knowledge gap that FOOTPRINTS seeks to bridge extends from the highest mountain peaks, where climate change is leaving its mark, to our very own backyards. Because animals tend to move when we humans are asleep, direct observations are rather rare. But the snow has a short-term memory, and it tells the story of those who move out of our sight. Join the next outing or get in touch with us if you would like to participate!