Drones (UAV / UAS) have revolutionized data collection for environmental restoration. Master data collection, processing, and analysis using drones in this 4-day shortcourse. Students will learn how to collect and analyze data for multiple restoration applications, including wildlife, forest, rangeland, and river systems. Data analysis focuses on the visible, thermal, and multi-spectral sensors commonly mounted on drones and includes photogrammetry, change detection, and classification modeling.

This course does not prepare students to take the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 commercial drone pilot license. Nor does this course teach the mechanics of flying drones. For courses on those topics, see the UAS emphasis in the Aviation BS degree or the UAS minor

Drone flying experience (as a commercial drone pilot or as a hobbyist) and remote sensing experience are helpful, but not required.

Given downward-trending COVID-19 infection rates and increasing vaccination availability, we anticipate holding this short course face-to-face. We will follow all recommended COVID-19 protocols, which may include some combination of masks, physical distancing for indoor instruction and in computer labs, outdoor instruction when possible, and open windows and reduced capacity in vehicles for field trips. If COVID-19 precautions necessitate canceling this course, we will fully refund course registration fees.