Ocean Alliance Announces First-Ever Successful Drone-Based Tagging of Endangered Blue and Fin Whales

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Blue Whale

Aerial view of drone tagging a blue whale. Credit: Christian Miller\/Ocean Alliance

For the first time ever, Ocean Alliance and their collaborators have successfully deployed suction cup data-tags on blue and fin whales in the Gulf of California using a drone (UAV). This new deployment method is detailed in an April 2023 publication in the journal Royal Society Open Science and could have significant positive implications for whale science and conservation. Deployment of Biologging Tags on Free Swimming Large Whales Using Uncrewed Aerial Systems. R. Soc. open sci. April 19, 2023 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.221376

This work shows that UAVs are capable of attaching biologging tags to free-swimming large whales. This method may hold advantages for studying vulnerable or hard-to-study species by potentially reducing stress from tagging activities. The work was carried out in collaboration with researchers from Ocean Alliance, Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, University of Michigan, and Syracuse University.

"The ability to use the aerial platform for tag deployment provides a huge step forward for the science. This method allows for tags to be attached to whales that might otherwise be difficult to approach with a boat and minimizes any disruption to their normal behaviors. This gives us an opportunity to better understand their behavior to aid in conservation efforts." Dr. Susan Parks, whale acoustics expert and Biology Professor from Syracuse University

Biologging data tags are critical tools for marine mammal research. The tags are equipped with specialized sensors for recording depth, orientation, acceleration, temperature, acoustics, and even video.

In addition to reduced behavioral impact, "efficient tag deployment enables targeting of specific animals in a group or multi-animal tagging. This ability to target an individual animal and/or doubling or tripling sample size for an experiment will greatly enhance the science and our understanding of these animals." Dr. Alex Shorter, Mechanical Engineering Professor University of Michigan.

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Research Ecologist Dr. David Wiley, who has used suction-cup tags to study the behavior of whales for almost 30 years, said, "A lot of time and funds have gone into improving tag design and capability, but this is the first real improvement in tag delivery!" Wiley also stated, although the use of UAVs for tag attachment is a major advancement, it, "Takes more than just the desire and a drone to make it happen. The synergy of combining our expertise and experience greatly contributed to our success." 

Learn more at instagram.com/SnotBot or www.whale.org.

About Ocean Alliance
Dr. Iain Kerr leads Ocean Alliance's Drones for Whale Research Program. Ocean Alliance is a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to protect whales and their ocean environment through research, scientific collaboration, public education, and the arts. 

Contact Information:
Dr. Iain Kerr
CEO, Ocean Alliance
kerr@whale.org
978-281-2814 ext 600

Chris Zadra
Drone Program Manager/Drone Pilot
czadra@whale.org
978-281-2814 ext 300

Alicia Pensarosa
Assistant Director, Ocean Alliance
apensarosa@whale.org
978-281-2814 ext 100


Related Images
Blue Whale
Blue Whale

Aerial view of drone tagging a blue whale. Credit: Christian Miller\/Ocean Alliance

SnotBot Tagging Blue Whale
SnotBot Tagging Blue Whale

Ocean Alliance's SnotBot Drone deploying a bio-logging tag on a blue whale in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Credit: Christian Miller\/Ocean Alliance



Original Source: Ocean Alliance Announces First-Ever Successful Drone-Based Tagging of Endangered Blue and Fin Whales

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ARuVR Becomes First XR Platform to Be Awarded ‘Accredited’ Provider Status by LPI

- ARuVR® awarded 'Accredited Learning Technologies' provider status for its enterprise-grade Extended Reality (XR) training platform - LPI recognises ARuVR® as forerunner in rapidly growing XR industry

ARuVR®, a multi-award-winning end-to-end Extended Reality (XR) training platform for enterprises, today announced that it has been awarded the status of Accredited Learning Technologies Provider by the LPI (Learning and Performance Institute), the leading global authority on workplace learning and development.

ARuVR® counts Coca-Cola, BT, Royal Air Force, Five Guys, ScotRail, NEOM, Amazon, and PWC among a rapidly growing international customer base and is the first and only XR provider on both the UK Government's CCS digital outcomes and specialists framework, and Crown G-Cloud-approved supplier lists. ARuVR® enables organisations to quickly and easily leverage the location-agnostic convenience and results-driven benefits of XR (Virtual and Augmented Reality) all from a single platform, to create and deliver immersive training programmes. 

ARuVR®'s LPI Accredited Learning Technologies Provider status recognises the company's dedication to high quality and process improvement in providing learning, development, and training services to clients. This accreditation covers the Extended, Augmented and Virtual Reality products and professional services supplied by ARuVR® to their clients on a worldwide basis. ARuVR® followed a rigorous and in-depth process and was assessed on several key performance indicators, including business integrity, client value proposition, delivery capability, quality and performance management, people development, and business stability. ARuVR®'s overall KPI score was near an outstanding 100% across all sections.

Edmund Monk, CEO of the LPI, said: "We have extremely high standards for accreditation, and we are proud to commend ARuVR on their achievement. We work with our accredited organisations to ensure that they not only meet our standards but that they continue to improve. This way, organisations can be confident that they are working with the best." 

The LPI is the foremost accreditation and membership body for the learning and development profession with a global reputation. The accreditation process employs a highly robust framework, developed over many years by learning experts and validated by data from thousands of organisations to measure, benchmark and improve the capability and performance of learning professionals and learning providers.

Frank Furnari, CEO & Founder, ARuVR®, said: "As the market for XR training solutions grows exponentially, we are delighted to be the first in the sector to achieve accreditation status by the LPI. We are committed to providing our global clients with not only the highest levels of quality and service but also to bring AR and VR to the training industry, in a way in which any organisation can embrace and benefit from."

Contact Information:
Andrew Durkin
Director
andrew@mustardpr.com
0044 7887998407


Original Source: ARuVR Becomes First XR Platform to Be Awarded 'Accredited' Provider Status by LPI

Keen’s Buildings Extends Partnership With RJ Hampshire for the 2023 Pro Motocross Season

"RJ is an incredibly talented rider, and we have no doubt that he has what it takes to bring home the championship this year," Keen stated.

Keen’s Buildings Extends Partnership With RJ Hampshire for the 2023 Pro Motocross Season
RJ Hampshire #24

RJ Hampshire, Kicking off the 2023 Pro Motocross Championship Season with Keens Buildings and the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team

Keen's Buildings, a leading provider of high-quality storage solutions, is thrilled to announce the extension of their partnership with RJ Hampshire #24 for the upcoming 2023 Pro Motocross Championship season. RJ Hampshire, an accomplished rider representing the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team, has proven to be an outstanding brand ambassador for Keen's Buildings.

Kevin Keen, CEO of Keen's Buildings, expressed his excitement about the continued collaboration with RJ Hampshire. "We are excited to extend our partnership with RJ for the 2023 Pro Motocross season," said Keen. "RJ has been an incredible asset to our brand, and we are confident in his abilities to excel on the track."

As a prominent figure in the motocross industry, RJ Hampshire has showcased immense talent, determination, and sportsmanship throughout his career. His achievements on the track and his dedication to his craft align perfectly with Keen's Buildings' values and commitment to excellence.

The partnership between Keen's Buildings and RJ Hampshire has proven to be mutually beneficial. It not only highlights the shared passion for motorsports but also underscores the importance of quality, durability, and reliability - qualities that both Keen's Buildings and RJ Hampshire embody.

With the 2023 Pro Motocross season on the horizon, Keen's Buildings and RJ Hampshire are eager to pursue their shared goal of championship success. Kevin Keen has expressed his confidence in RJ's abilities and believes that "RJ is an incredibly talented rider, and we have no doubt that he has what it takes to bring home the championship this year," Keen stated.

The 2023 Pro Motocross Championship, Race Schedule kicks off tomorrow, May 27, 2003, at the Fox Raceway in Pala, CA.

The extended partnership between Keen's Buildings and RJ Hampshire signifies the continued commitment to excellence and the shared vision of pushing boundaries and achieving greatness in the world of motocross.

About Keen's Buildings:

Keen's Buildings is a trusted provider of high-quality storage sheds, metal garages, carports and steel buildings, offering customized solutions to meet diverse storage needs. With over 75,000 installs and an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, durability, and customer satisfaction, Keen's Buildings has established itself as a leading name in the industry.

About RJ Hampshire:

RJ Hampshire, representing the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing Team, is a highly talented and respected motocross athlete. With an impressive track record and a relentless drive for success, RJ has established himself as a prominent figure in the sport.

Contact Information:
Craig Heineman
Marketing
craigh@keensbuildings.com
(386) 364-7995


Original Source: Keen's Buildings Extends Partnership With RJ Hampshire for the 2023 Pro Motocross Season

LaMar’s Donuts Partners with The Salvation Army to Celebrate National Donut Day on June 2nd

The National Donut Day celebration will pay tribute to WWI's historic Donut Lassies through free donuts, community engagement, and donations to the Salvation Army

LaMar’s Donuts Partners with The Salvation Army to Celebrate National Donut Day on June 2nd
LaMar's National Donut Day

Images of Donuts and Text Reading \"National Donut Day\"

National Donut Day is Friday, June 2, and LaMar's will be partnering with The Salvation Army to host an annual fundraising and community engagement event. Each participating LaMar's location will also be giving away free donuts to everyone who visits a store.

National Donut Day is celebrated on the first Friday of every June — a tradition dating back to 1917, when Salvation Army volunteers known as the "Donut Lassies" made donuts for soldiers on the front lines of World War I. In celebration of this tradition, LaMar's will be partnering with The Salvation Army to host its 9th Annual National Donut Day fundraising campaign. The campaign will be hosted by various LaMar's locations nationwide, and it will include free donuts, donations to The Salvation Army, and community engagement with local police and fire departments. The goal of this campaign is to spread joy and give back to the community, just like the Donut Lassies did over 100 years ago.

This year's National Donut Day fundraiser will be a celebration unlike any other. In addition to raising funds for The Salvation Army through donations, LaMar's will match all online donations made during the week of May 28th. Each participating location will be handing out free Ray's Original Glazed donuts to customers, along with LaMar's National Donut Day t-shirts, while supplies last. LaMar's will be partnering with local police and fire stations, who will volunteer their time to hand out the free donuts and t-shirts to community members at select participating locations.

In addition to celebrating the holiday at LaMar's stores, The Salvation Army will be delivering thousands of LaMar's donuts to the Denver and Aurora Police Departments as well as locations in Kansas City, MO, Omaha, NE, and Wichita, KS, for National Donut Day. Staff and members of the Army, along with Aurora police officers, will also hand deliver donuts to veterans at the VA Medical Center in Aurora, CO. The Salvation Army brass band will be at the medical center at 10 a.m. to perform and celebrate the national holiday.

"The Salvation Army's tireless mission to keep children clothed, sheltered, and fed is an enduring reminder that we need to do what we can to support our community members," shared Temi Osifodunrin, LaMar's Director of Marketing and Advertising. "LaMar's is thrilled to be spreading joy to our communities on National Donut Day, just like the Donut Lassies did for soldiers during World War I."

To receive a free Ray's Original Glazed hand-made donut on National Donut Day, LaMar's customers must simply visit their local store. For customers who can't make it to a LaMar's location on National Donut Day, LaMar's will also be mailing out "Share the LaMar's Donut Day Love" cards to community members in surrounding neighborhoods. These cards can be used to redeem one free donut with a hole and a small coffee. Specialty donuts & coffee will be available but will incur an upcharge when used with the card. 

For more information about LaMar's National Donut Day celebration, or to make an online donation, please visit www.donutday.com

About LaMar's Donuts - After developing his original donut recipe as a teenager in 1933, Ray Lamar opened the first LaMar's Donuts in Kansas City, Missouri, on Linwood Boulevard in a converted gas station. Today, the franchised chain has 25 stores in five states. LaMar's has won numerous awards and has earned favorable reviews by such publications as The New Yorker and Gourmet magazine. LaMar's donuts were also the first to be reviewed and acclaimed by Zagat, the world's most trusted guide to restaurants. Visit us at LaMars.com.

About The Salvation Army - The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church established in 1865, has supported those in need in His name without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year across 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, please visit imsalvationarmy.org.

Contact Information:
Temi Osifodunrin
Director of Marketing and Advertising
marketing@lamars.com
303-771-9999 x. # 7001


Original Source: LaMar's Donuts Partners with The Salvation Army to Celebrate National Donut Day on June 2nd
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