Edge AI + LoRaWAN Infrastructure

NOARKTECH’s WildGuard AI uses on-device Edge AI models and LoRaWAN communication to process data locally and transmit alerts even in low-connectivity regions. This low-power, scalable network allows instant wildfire detection, animal tracking, and real-time environmental monitoring.

  • Flexible integration of open-source LoRaWAN technology and compact AI models
  • Low latency communication ensures rapid response in emergencies
  • Collaboration with embedded system experts for optimized hardware-software synergy
  • Local capacity building ensures long-term reliability and system maintenance
  • Intelligent alert routing and data filtering are essential to avoid signal noise
  • Redundant communication strategies strengthen system resilience
WildGuard AI Sensor Ecosystem (Bio-Acoustic + Chemical + Climate Sensing)

NOARKTECH’s WildGuard AI integrates bio-acoustic microphones, air quality sensors (CO, VOC), and hyperlocal climate monitors to detect wildlife movement, forest fires, and ecological disturbances. This system enables real-time environmental intelligence for conservation, climate resilience, and human-wildlife conflict prevention.

  • Deployment of rugged, energy-efficient sensors suited for field conditions
  • Scientific validation in collaboration with academic and environmental institutions
  • Pilot deployments across Western Ghats and Northeast India
  • Sensor effectiveness improves with community-informed placement strategies
  • Continuous environmental calibration enhances precision over time
  • Environmental durability must be prioritized during design and testing phases
Interinstitutional coordination for the management of the ZEPA

The purpose of interinstitutional articulation is to involve all the
actors with relevant competencies to coordinate actions that
allow effective management of the ZEPA and to address the
impacts of industrial fishing in the area. The creation of the
Expanded Interinstitutional Roundtable made it possible to
manage this effectively.

The existence of a court ruling ordering the creation of an
Expanded Interinstitutional Roundtable that brings together the
competent entities, communities and allied organizations.

The articulation processes are complex because different
interests converge and this requires openness to dialogue, the
constancy of the communities, the proper planning of the spaces,
among other factors. These are long-term processes that do not
generate immediate results.

Legal accompaniment and consolidation of the legal framework that supports the figure

The legal accompaniment was aimed at guaranteeing a fair
defense of the fishers's rights that were being violated, as well as
promoting the extension of the ZEPA figure. Thanks to this
support, the filing of the legal action was initiated in 2012,
leading to a favorable ruling in 2019 and, subsequently, a final
decision in second instance in 2020.

The support of civil society organizations with legal expertise
with the capacity to demand the rights of the communities
through legal channels.

Legal support must go hand in hand with a relationship of trust
with the communities, and everything proposed in the legal
framework must be discussed and approved by the communities.

Capacity Building and Regional Training Programs

Building local and regional expertise in DNA barcoding and metabarcoding is vital for sustainable biodiversity conservation. Supported by BBI-CBD funding, our training programs target conservation practitioners from Lebanon, Tunisia, Côte d'Ivoire, and Jordan, including those without prior molecular biology experience. These hands-on workshops cover sample collection, laboratory techniques, data analysis, and interpretation, empowering participants to independently apply molecular tools in their contexts. Capacity building democratizes access to innovative technologies, fosters regional collaboration, and ensures continuity beyond the project lifecycle.

Funding from BBI-CBD and institutional backing by Saint Joseph University enabled program development. Experienced trainers and tailored curricula accommodate diverse backgrounds. Regional participant selection promotes cross-country knowledge exchange. Ongoing support and follow-up strengthen learning outcomes.

We learned that successful capacity building requires flexible training models that accommodate participants’ varied expertise. Hands-on practice combined with theoretical knowledge improves retention. Establishing a regional network fosters peer learning and collaboration. Follow-up support and refresher sessions are important for sustained impact. Training must be paired with accessible resources and tools to enable real-world application. Engaging trainees as future trainers multiplies benefits and contributes to national and regional self-sufficiency in biodiversity monitoring.

Stakeholder Engagement and Knowledge Mobilization

Meaningful engagement with Lebanese Ministries of Environment and Agriculture, local NGOs, practitioners, and communities ensured that scientific insights informed policy and restoration practices. By communicating findings clearly and collaboratively, we helped integrate molecular data into the National Biodiversity Action Plan. Awareness campaigns targeted schools, universities, farmers, and land managers, raising understanding of the ecological roles animals play in forest regeneration. This knowledge mobilization builds local ownership, promotes evidence-based decision-making, and bridges science with societal needs for long-term ecosystem resilience.

Strong relationships with government agencies and NGOs fostered trust. Clear, accessible communication materials and workshops facilitated understanding. Involvement of local communities ensured relevance. Institutional support allowed integration into national plans. Funding enabled outreach and awareness activities.

Effective stakeholder engagement requires ongoing dialogue and tailored communication strategies to diverse audiences. We found that combining scientific rigor with accessible language bridges the science-policy-practice gap. Early inclusion of ministries and NGOs increases uptake of results. Awareness campaigns are essential to foster behavioral change and highlight the often-overlooked role of animals in ecosystem restoration. Sustained collaboration ensures findings influence policy and land management decisions. We also learned that participatory approaches empower communities, ensuring solutions are socially accepted and sustainable

Strategic International and Academic Partnerships

Partnerships with the Smithsonian Institution, iBOL, and Saint Joseph University have been central to our project’s success. The Smithsonian provided advanced expertise in metabarcoding methodology and quality assurance, enabling rigorous application of DNA analysis. iBOL supports the expansion of barcoding efforts, particularly for insects, linking our regional data to global biodiversity initiatives. Saint Joseph University leads research implementation and capacity building, ensuring regional ownership and continuity. These collaborations combine global knowledge with local ecological and institutional context, enabling innovation and scalability.

Long-term collaborative relationships, shared scientific goals, and mutual trust were key. International funding and technical assistance fostered knowledge exchange. The presence of a dedicated local research team facilitated communication and implementation. Shared commitment to open data and capacity building strengthened partnerships.

Strong partnerships require continuous communication, respect for local contexts, and clear roles. International collaboration accelerates technology transfer but must be coupled with local capacity building to ensure sustainability. We learned the importance of balancing global scientific standards with regional ecological realities. Formal agreements and joint planning helped align expectations. Integrating diverse expertise—from molecular biology to ecology and policy—enhanced project impact. Finally, these partnerships opened avenues for future research and expanded conservation networks.

Localized Reference Library Development

The creation of a comprehensive, open-access DNA reference library of native plant and animal species was foundational to our solution. Recognizing that global databases lacked coverage for many Eastern Mediterranean species, we built the first Lebanese library encompassing plants, mammals, and now expanding to insects, birds, and fungi. This reference database improves the accuracy of DNA sequence matching and enables precise identification of species present in environmental samples. It also fills a critical regional data gap and facilitates ecological studies, biodiversity monitoring, and conservation planning. By publishing the library openly, we promote transparency, collaboration, and the potential for adaptation in similar biodiversity hotspots.

Strong institutional support from Saint Joseph University, collaboration with local taxonomists, and access to specimens were vital. Funding from initial grants allowed sequencing efforts. Commitment to open data principles ensured broad accessibility. Support from iBOL facilitated integration into global databases, enhancing utility and visibility.

Building a reliable reference library requires significant coordination between molecular scientists and taxonomists. Accurate species identification depends heavily on quality-verified voucher specimens and metadata. The process is time-consuming but indispensable for meaningful metabarcoding results. Sharing the library openly generated interest and collaboration but also highlighted the need for continuous updates and expansion to cover more taxa. Engaging local experts fostered ownership and increased the scientific credibility of the data, ensuring the library’s sustainability as a national resource.

Advanced DNA Barcoding and Metabarcoding Techniques:

DNA barcoding and metabarcoding are cutting-edge molecular techniques that allow precise identification of species from small biological samples such as animal scats. Barcoding targets a single species by sequencing a standard gene region, while metabarcoding amplifies multiple DNA markers simultaneously, enabling comprehensive analysis of complex mixtures. These methods provide detailed insights into animal diets, predator-prey relationships, and seed dispersal patterns without invasive sampling. In our solution, these techniques were adapted to the Lebanese ecological context, enabling high-throughput biodiversity assessment and revealing key interactions between fauna and flora. This approach overcomes limitations of traditional ecological surveys and opens new possibilities for monitoring biodiversity changes, especially in regions with scarce baseline data.

Access to high-throughput sequencing technology, expertise in molecular biology, and the availability of regional reference libraries enabled successful implementation. The collaboration with international experts, such as the Smithsonian Institution, ensured methodological rigor. The development of protocols tailored to local conditions and sample types was crucial for reliable results. Funding from FERI and MEPI provided the necessary resources to establish and scale the molecular workflows.

We learned that customizing DNA metabarcoding protocols to local ecological conditions is essential to maximize data accuracy. Establishing comprehensive reference libraries beforehand is critical for correct species identification. Early engagement with molecular experts and international partners accelerated technology transfer and improved quality control. We also discovered that noninvasive sampling methods, such as scat collection, can yield rich data but require strict protocols to avoid contamination. Finally, integrating these molecular tools with traditional ecological knowledge strengthens interpretation and practical application for restoration.

Connecting with Komodo: Building Place Attachment for Conservation Leadership

This building block focuses on cultivating place attachment—an emotional, cultural, and cognitive bond between youth and Komodo National Park. Through storytelling, field immersion, and reflective learning, students begin to see the park not just as a tourist destination, but as a vital part of their identity and future. The program employs experiential tools such as ranger-led nature walks, local legends, visual storytelling, and ecological mapping to foster deeper connections with the landscape and its inhabitants. These experiences help reposition the park from a backdrop of economic activity into a living, shared heritage. As students develop a sense of belonging and pride, their motivation to protect and advocate for the environment increases. This shift is crucial in transforming passive knowledge into active stewardship, inspiring long-term behavioral change and conservation leadership. Building place attachment ensures that youth understand both the ecological and emotional value of the park, anchoring their sense of responsibility in a place they call home.

Key enablers include the presence of committed park rangers who serve as mentors, local legends and cultural narratives that resonate with students, and access to Komodo National Park as an outdoor classroom. Collaborative partnerships with schools ensure curricular alignment and logistical support. The trust built between students and facilitators, paired with immersive activities in nature, significantly enhances students’ emotional connection to the park and their willingness to become stewards.

One powerful lesson is that connection precedes conservation. Students are more likely to care for and protect a place they feel emotionally and culturally bonded to. We also learned that place attachment cannot be forced—it must be earned through authentic, meaningful experiences. Building trust between facilitators and students takes time but is essential for success. Another insight is the importance of cultural relevance: stories, language, and examples drawn from local contexts deepen resonance and memory. Finally, place attachment is not only about nostalgia or pride—it can be a powerful driver for transformation. When students feel ownership of Komodo National Park, they begin to see conservation not as someone else’s job, but as a personal responsibility. This shift is what transforms students from observers into advocates, and classrooms into launchpads for future conservation leaders.