Invasive species and pest populations represent growing ecological and economic threats, and traditional management approaches struggle to match the scale of the problem. UAVs are changing that equation. This session brings together practitioners from mosquito control operations, state parks, and agricultural settings to share how UAVs are being deployed for detection, monitoring, and treatment across dramatically different environments and mission profiles. Attendees will hear field-tested workflows for identifying invasive plant species using aerial imagery, how mosquito control districts are scaling drone operations to cover tens of thousands of acres with measurable results, and how the same core capabilities translate into plant health monitoring in agricultural contexts. Across all presentations, the emphasis is on operational reality: what’s working, what isn’t, and what other land managers, conservation professionals, and agricultural operators can take directly back to their own programs.
The following presentations will be shared in this session:
Using UAS to Support Mosquito Control Operations
Presented by Kenneth Bond, Lee County Mosquito Control District
Mosquito control is a highly specialized industry that has a unique set of operations and objectives. That same statement can be made for the UAS industry. When combined, these two fields create a special synergy that enables precise, adaptive, and cost-effective practices. As UAS technology continues to evolve, so too does their role within the mosquito control industry. At Lee County Mosquito Control District (LCMCD), the integration of UAS technology has opened new possibilities to enhance operational efficiency, improve data accuracy, and support a broad range of aerial initiatives via UAS. This presentation will review how UAS have supported mosquito control operations highlighting successes, challenges, and lessons learned from integrating UAS technology across multiple operational departments at LCMCD.
Leveraging UAS for Invasive Species Detection and Treatment in Parks and Natural Areas
Presented by Al Cire, Virginia State Parks
Invasive species present a growing ecological and economic threat to natural resources across the United States. Traditional ground surveys are labor-intensive and limited in scale, but UAS are transforming how land managers detect, monitor, and treat invasive species. This session synthesizes operational experience from Virginia State Park pilots with actionable strategies and sensing technology. Attendees will leave with tangible workflows that drive measurable field outcomes.
Case Studies:
- Detection of Paulownia and Tree-of-Heaven: Coupling RGB imagery with ground truthing to isolate fronts and optimize treatment resources.
- Aquatic Invasive Mapping: Using drones to identify presence of Eurasian watermilfoil for targeted herbicide application.
Data Collection – The Pilot’s Perspective
Presented by Jerimiah Contreras, FlyGuys
Great agricultural insights begin with great data. In this session, Jerimiah Contreras, Manager of Pilot Experience at FlyGuys, explores what it takes to capture high-quality drone imagery that growers, agronomists, and agricultural professionals can trust.
Attendees will learn the fundamentals of agricultural drone mapping, from mission planning and flight execution to understanding how factors like altitude, overlap, ground sample distance (GSD), sensor selection, and field conditions directly impact data quality. The session will also examine how RGB and multispectral imagery reveal valuable insights throughout the growing season, including stand counts, emergence, irrigation performance, crop health, and plant stress.
Whether you’re new to agricultural mapping or looking to improve your field operations, this presentation provides a practical, pilot-focused perspective on collecting reliable data that leads to better decisions. You’ll also see how accurate mapping serves as the foundation for advanced agricultural workflows, including prescription generation for targeted crop spraying and other precision agriculture applications.
