Bay Nature Talk: Conservation Detection Dogs
05/07/2025 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM PT
Join Bay Nature Magazine and researcher Karen DeMatteo for a virtual talk about how scientists are teaming up with dogs to find creative solutions in the conservation field on Wednesday, May 7, from 12 - 1pm. Conservation detection dogs (CDD) are a valuable, noninvasive tool that has opened doors for ecological and environmental studies, allowing difficult to answer questions to be addressed in a data-driven manner. The explosion in the application of conservation detection dogs worldwide has affected positive changes for numerous species and ecosystems. The field of conservation detection dogs is experiencing tremendous growth, which emphasizes the importance that basic caveats linked to an accurate detection rate are not forgotten, as no single model can capture the variation and unique requirements across different studies. Come learn about CDDs and how they are driving change for conservation! This talk is free for members and $5 for nonmembers.
This event is inspired by the "Scatt Sleuth" piece published in our most recent, Spring 2025 issue, featuring Karen and her dog, DJ.
About the speaker: Dr. Karen DeMatteo is a biologist that has used various techniques to understand basic biology and ecological interactions at the species and community level. For the last 20 years, she has actively used conservation detection dogs (CDD), genetic analyses of scat, and GIS modeling to develop applied management strategies for wildlife. Since 2007, CDDs have been opening conservation doors in the Atlantic Forest of Misiones, Argentina, where Karen is co-Director of Proyecto Zorro Pitoco (@Got_Scat), a project aimed at conserving one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. In addition, Karen conducts surveys with CDDs to assist conservation and environmentally driven research focused on various species (@AK9NoseKnows), including rare orchids, burrowing frogs, and big cats.