The 2025 International Conference on Drones and Unmanned Systems (DAUS 2025) highlighted the rapid advancements in drone technology and the transformative role of AI-driven automation. As drones become more sophisticated, AI enhances their autonomy, precision, and efficiency in applications like wildlife monitoring, infrastructure management, and security. This conference united experts, researchers, and industry leaders to explore innovations in real-time data analysis, predictive modeling, and adaptive flight planning, showcasing how AI improves decision-making and operational effectiveness. DAUS 2025 also addressed regulatory challenges, training, and ethical considerations, ensuring responsible deployment of unmanned systems. By fostering collaboration across disciplines, the event accelerated the development of smarter, safer, and more efficient drones, advancing their integration into diverse fields while promoting sustainability and innovation.

As a dedicated member of The Wildlife Society (TWS), it was an honor for Craig to be invited as a speaker at the inaugural International Conference on Drones and Unmanned Systems (DAUS 2025) in Granada, Spain. As an international conference, 41 countries were represented among conference attendees. The Wildlife Society is a professional organization dedicated to advancing wildlife conservation through science, education, and collaboration among researchers, managers, and policymakers. Within TWS, the Drone Working Group focuses on the innovative use of drone technology in wildlife research and conservation, providing a platform for professionals to share best practices, explore new applications, and promote ethical and effective deployment of drones in ecological studies.

As part of the special session on “Drone Applications for Wildlife Ecology,” chaired by Rick Spaulding and David Bird, Craig presented on the innovative use of drone technology for monitoring large non-breeding aggregations of birds in dense and urban environments. His presentation highlighted case studies, including the renowned winter crow roost in Lawrence, MA,  showcasing best practices for using RGB, IR, and thermal drone cameras to gather critical data with minimal disturbance. Craig’s expertise in avian research and drone applications aligned with the conference’s broader focus on leveraging autonomous systems and AI for avian research and other advancements. Through his participation, he aims to foster greater collaboration among wildlife biologists in academic, government, and private sectors, promoting responsible and effective drone-based research methodologies in conservation and urban wildlife management.