A WSU research team uses free satellite imagery and drones to provide data used for ecological monitoring to Whitman County and the Palouse Conservation District, which voluntarily works with community members to restore natural habitats. The team created effective protocols for integrating new technology into Washington conservation districts and counties, said Alexander Fremier, associate professor for WSU’s School of the Environment. The researchers first looked at satellite imagery on Google Earth Engine, a library of free-to-use data and images, said Amanda Stahl, postdoctoral conservation science researcher. Stahl said she developed a computer code script in Javascript so conservation districts can more easily select a desired date and location to monitor changes in the environment over time.