Dr. Paul Pace
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The use of Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (drones) for wildlife monitoring and conservation has gained significant attention in recent years. Drones offer a non-invasive and cost-effective method for counting and tracking wildlife populations as well as assessing habitat and species distribution. This presentation will provide an overview of the current state of drone technology in wildlife monitoring, including its advantages, limitations and potential future developments. Additionally, we will discuss the various applications of drone technology in wildlife studies, such as in the detection and tracking of endangered species, assessing ecosystem health and aiding in conservation efforts. We will also explore the ethical considerations and potential challenges associated with drone use in wildlife counting as well as the need for continued research and collaboration among scientists, conservationists and drone operators to maximize the effectiveness of this innovative technology in wildlife conservation.
After having received degrees in Physics (BSc University of Waterloo), Aeronautical Engineering (MASc University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies) and Atomic Physics (PhD University of Windsor), Dr. Pace completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Windsor in Laser Physics. He then took a position as Defence Scientist at the Defence Research Establishment Valcartier near Quebec City. His work here was centred on the development and application of lasers for the Defence Department. During this time he also attended the École Superior de Paris where he obtained a certificate in advanced mathematics. Dr. Pace also participated in a two-year exchange program where he was assigned the position of Scientific Director at the National Optics Institute in Quebec City.
Dr. Pace eventually accepted a position at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa with Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), Air Force Directorate. Here he was responsible for the development and application of Unihabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for the Canadian Forces as well as for the creation of a new Directorate called The Canadian Forces Experimentation Centre (CFEC). He was subsequently appointed Scientific Director of CFEC. Here, work continued on the development of UAVs (drones) and their application within the Canadian Forces.
Following his term as director, he returned to basic research at Defence Research and Development Canada in Ottawa in a special position reporting directly to the Assistant Deputy Minister for Defence. Here, he continued his work on the development and use of drones for military as well as civilian applications. Upon retiring from DRDC, he formed a partnership called EcoDrone with an ornithologist from McGill University, Dr. David Bird. Their studies are aimed at developing the use of small drones for wildlife monitoring.
Photo: Brett Forsyth