Trail Cameras in ConservationCommunity Learns New Skills at Coatesville Workshop
On Saturday 15 November, The Forest Bridge Trust, with support from Auckland Council, hosted a pilot trail camera workshop at the Coatesville Settlers Memorial Hall. Designed as part of the Auckland Council–funded Community Conservation Training Series, the session brought together conservation volunteers, trappers, and nature enthusiasts from across Tāmaki Makaurau, with some attendees travelling from as far away as Totara Heights.
The workshop focused on a rapidly growing area of conservation technology: the use of trail cameras for wildlife monitoring, pest detection, and biodiversity research. As more community groups embrace these tools to understand what’s happening on the land, building skills and confidence in their use has become increasingly important.
Building Knowledge From the Ground Up
Led by TFBT ecologist Dr Virginia Moreno, participants were guided through the full process of using trail cameras effectively for conservation outcomes. This included how to:
- set clear monitoring objectives
- design an effective camera network
- deploy cameras in the field
- manage data and interpret results
- report findings with confidence
Virginia’s session was followed by a hands-on practical component with Pest Control team member Eliane Lagnaz, who demonstrated best practice for camera placement and field setup, helping participants understand how small adjustments can make a big difference in the quality of data captured. Attendees were also introduced to ZIP Classifier, a powerful tool for quickly and accurately classifying trail camera images.
A Space for Shared Learning
While the workshop showcased the practical benefits of trail cameras, it also created a space for collaboration. Participants exchanged tips, experiences, and local knowledge — reinforcing how community-led conservation thrives when people learn together.
Feedback from the day was overwhelmingly positive. Many attendees shared that they left feeling more confident in their ability to use trail cameras to support local ecological initiatives and contribute meaningful data to biodiversity projects.
Strengthening Community Conservation
This pilot workshop marks an exciting step in expanding accessible conservation training across the region. By equipping communities with practical skills and technology, The Forest Bridge Trust continues to help people connect with their land and take action to protect native wildlife.
With places limited and interest high, future workshops are expected to attract strong demand as more groups look to integrate trail cameras into their monitoring programmes.