MRRI Drone Program
What We Do
MRRI Drone Program
Drones can access remote or hard-to-reach areas that may be difficult for humans to reach, making them ideal for tasks such as monitoring wildlife habitats or inspecting infrastructure. The Meadowlands Research & Restoration Institute (MRRI) uses drones (unmanned aircraft systems) for aerial surveys and monitoring of the Hackensack Estuary.
Drone work includes assessing the integrity of property boundaries (fencing) and illegal trespassing, as well as measuring landfill volumes, vegetation cover, and conducting creek and ditch inspections in preparation for flooding events. Drones are also used to measure wetland areas, identify marsh plant communities, and determine geomorphological features that help understand wetland functioning. Additionally, drones are used for 4k video production, panoramic photos acquisition, and 3D mapping and rendering.
The drone data services provided to in-house departments and outside private parties include georeferenced ortho imagery acquisition, plant cover measurements, and plant health assessment. MRRI’s drone pilots are FAA part 107 sUAS certified. For inquiries regarding drone projects, please contact Sandy Speers via e-mail at [email protected] or by calling 201.460.2800.
Kane Tract Brush Fire Site November 2017 Assessment:
MRRI continues to monitor this site in Carlstadt, NJ after the brush fire to see the extent of natural resource loss.
Kane Tract Brush Fire Site Assessment:
MRRI’s drone captured video and imagery of the Kane Tract Wetlands after an Oct, 2017 brush fire burned a large portion of organic matter. Smoldering as of Oct 19 flight was still present. This site is located off of Commercial Blvd in Carlstadt, NJ.
Harrier Meadow Site 360 Rotation:
MRRI’s drone program can create 4k video products highlighting a site or area of interest. This video depicts a cinematic pan of Harrier Meadow in North Arlington, NJ.
Riverbend Wetlands Preserve Ditch Inspection:
MRRI is capable of flying creeks, ditches, and dikes to capture video or high resolution imagery. This video captures a creek inspection at Riverbend Wetlands Preserve in Secaucus, NJ.
Riverbend Wetlands Preserve Vegetation Survey
One of MRRI’s main objectives with the drone program is identifying plant communities both native and invasive. This video shows the distinct boundaries of native low marsh, high marsh, and invasive phragmites vegetation at Riverbend Wetlands Preserve in Secaucus, NJ.
Water Sampling Using a Drone:
This drone water sampler will allow MRRI scientists unparalleled capabilities to collect 500ml lab quality water samples in proper acid washed bottles from otherwise inaccessible areas. The sampler was designed by MRRI staff and the support bracket was 3D printed.
