This month we have started gathering data on the biodiversity of soils using the Soil Acoustic Meter (SAM) as well as a school and community science project using the Demeter to find out what vocalising animals are visiting urban backyards.
We have also released the Owl acoustic recorder, a powerful dual microphone unit complete with GPS and full scheduling, as well as the LinkEye camera system, up to 16 cameras, one sim card. More information on both of these products is in the newsletter below.
We are also proud to announce our plastic recycling technology partner, PlasTech Recycling, has their Australian-invented, designed and built Plastic Mixer Melter, being officially commissioned in the Netherlands. The opening of this facility is by Queen Maxima with our board member, Colin Barker, in attendance.
Listen to a worm move through the soil in an urban forest at Pocket City Farm, Sydney. A wonderful project that turned an old inner-city bowling club into a productive mini farm. Not only using permaculture to transform the space, but also to build community.
Whether you're an ecologist, agronomist, arable or pastoral farmer, land or estate manager, food producer, winegrower, or involved in rewilding or agroforestry projects, soil health is crucial to your success.
Looking for a flexible camera monitoring system that works even in remote areas?
Our system supports up to 16 cameras, all operating with just one SD card, sending images directly to your FTTP server or the Cloud app. With line-of-sight communication up to 5 km (or 1–3 km through mountains or forest), it’s designed for reliable performance in challenging environments.
The system delivers a 30 Mbps data rate from cameras to the base station, ensuring fast, consistent data transfer.
Base stations then send the collected data from the connected cameras to the control centre via Internet, 4G network, or optical fibre, providing flexible connectivity options.
The platform is also expandable, enabling integration of additional devices, including environmental monitoring sensors, walkie-talkies, and other field equipment.
We are pleased to announce that the groundbreaking plastic recycling technology by our partner, Plastech Recycling, will officially begin operations in the Netherlands on 1 April 2026.
Our board member and director of Plastech Recycling, Colin Barker, will be attending the official opening in Farmsum. Queen Maxima of the Netherlands will open the facility. Details below.
The Owl UVSW3 is wildlife audio recording equipment, specially designed to deliver high-quality sound recordings of birds, frogs, and other vocal animals in the wild.
2 Microphones - Standard. Sensitivity -26dB or -32dB (0dB=1V/pa@1kHz)
IP68 rated
Power - 8 x AA, Supports 12V solar panel, Optional Rechargeable 12V Li-battery pack.
Congratulations Joe Friend winner of the competition "What is in your field kit?" Joe has won a Demeter acoustic recorder.
We had answers to the question ranging from shoe laces, disposable nappies through to candy and pipe wrenches. So a fairly wide range of 'in case' equipment.
The winning submission was a small bottle of Ti-Tree oil.
"Camping, 1 dark evening, inside tent , reach-up to turn-off the ridge line candle in aluminium container, burnt finger, immediately poured-on Ti-tree(30 secs), finger so-good ,no pain after 30 more seconds. slept immediately ‘no probs’!!"
Configuration Helping set up with Location, time settings, recording modes, sample rates, sensitivity and trigger thresholds.
Scheduling Building schedules for recordings, configuring the recorder
Firmware Updates You will be able to download the latest firmware versions for the Demeter, along with instructions on how to do this.
Who is talking in my backyard?
Who Is Talking in My Backyard? is a citizen science project that engages students and community members in monitoring urban wildlife using acoustic technology. Participants record animal calls in suburban backyards across Australia to help measure and understand urban fauna biodiversity.
Find out more on the fact sheet.
Want to help email us at environment@saffronaid.com
Whether you are an agronomist, arable or pastural farmer, land or estate manager, food producer, winegrower, or managing a rewilding or agro-forestry project, soil health will be important to you. You are probably already measuring soil organic carbon, pH, bulk density and any number of other metrics on a regular basis and submitting these lab results to a toolkit or portal. You may even be digging worm pits to count earthworms.
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