Thursday, June 25, 2009

Response to funding question.

Hi All,

I feel the need to respond to this comment as I do not want any misconceptions about our fundraising efforts. My words are bold in response to a comment posted by anonymous.

Can someone from BRI explain to me how it costs $65,000 for a web cam?

We operate between six and eight webcams per year. Costs include the camera, internet to the site, a variety of connectors/adaptors/splitters, microphone and pre-amp when possible, computer for each installation. Other costs include occasional travel to the site for maintenance and repair. Not to mention internet streaming which can be very costly (a few thousand dollars a week at peak times) which we have had donated in the past.

Also, your site has this blurb: The Eagle Web cam is presented by BioDiversity Research Institute and made possible through the generous support of FPL Energy Maine Hydro, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and US Fish and Wildlife Service.

These organizations support us in various ways. FPL provides installation expertise and has offered the use of property in the past and some funding to cover internet costs and equipment for one of our cams, Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife are collaborators and provided a wonderful Eagle BioJournal in collaboration with US Fish and Wildlife. Also, they support our project by helping direct us to potential nests. To be clear, they do not provide us with funding support.

I'm probably naive, but if I had a bird nesting in my yard and wanted to put it on a web cam... say, $2500 for a verrrry good camera, a few hundred for cable, but in today's wireless world, not sure that's even necessary; someone to install it..say another $5,000 if you want to get real fancy...and maintenance. Just call the geek squad.

So, you are not so naive, add $1200 year for internet to your estimates (which do not include the items I detailed above), totals $8700 per system times seven systems well...$60,900. That is where these numbers come from. We also have to have maintain the systems and update blogs this requires staff time.

Seriously, where do you get these kinds of numbers you throw around?

We have a budget for this program this budget is reported in each grant proposal that we write, we do not throw numbers around. In addition to our webcams we made over 25 presentations to classrooms in Maine and NH about wildlife and science as well as several talks to community groups. Staff time and travel is not included in our $65,000 estimate. We feel that webcams and presentations about the research that we do are invaluable educational tools that everyone should understand come at a cost and we hope to be able to continue these programs in the future.

I hope this clarifies your questions/comments. Many thanks for enjoying the webcams. Let's get back to discussing the eagles!

All the Best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

16 comments:

  1. It's unfortunate that the eagles chose to use nest site #2 and not #1, as that is the live camera/audio feed that has not failed. Hopefully, some attention will be given to the #2 setup so that next year we'll have a live feed to enjoy and study. It appears as if this one has been given up on since early on in the season, with no updates on any steps taken or progress, just the statement, "we are currently experiencing technical issues". The chicks are nearly fledged, and still pictures are all we have to watch their growth and development. Hopefully, the extra funds sought after this year will take care of these problems.

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  2. Way to go Patrick!

    Very tired of listening to the whining and reports of stuck cameras!

    The blog should be reporting on what is observed and asking questions relating to the eagles.

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  3. Quote:

    Anonymous said...
    Way to go Patrick!

    Very tired of listening to the whining and reports of stuck cameras!

    The blog should be reporting on what is observed and asking questions relating to the eagles.


    Not whining! Stop putting a label on those that report the cam is stuck. Just reporting and can't report on the eaglets if the images are stuck 80$ of the time. Unless you have another way, we all don't know about.

    Stuck as of this morning too! 5:47 am est upper image

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  4. 06/27 @ 10:03

    Patrick, thank you for your response and clarification.

    I would think that questions posted are done so by curious minds who simply want to learn and understand ... whether discussing equipment, or a particular species, or the environment in general. I would hope that comments made are statements of concern and interest even when they reflect disappointment/frustration ... and that these statements are not meant to be accusations. Sometimes we learn as much from criticism as praise. This year has most certainly been a learning process!

    A timely response to questions raised is always helpful. Keep up the good work, Patrick.

    Thank you to BRI for the opportunities they provide and thank you to all who take time to post comments.

    JAM in IL

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  5. 12:14 PM 6-27-09
    Well said Patrick. Now, let's forget all of the negativity (it serves no purpose) and enjoy the eaglets while we can, they will fledge soon, and then they will be gone for yet another season. So sad the ospreys didn't have a good season. The falcon, however was great, I really enjoyed viewing all of the ups and downs (literally) of that little guy. Lets all hope the loons will nest soon, so we can view them as well.

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  6. Both parents at the nest 12:37 pm est. Lower image only.

    People please remember before you call others whiners that you are not hearing tones of anyones voice. Only reading text!!! Perhaps take a moment and read again before being so sensitive to others posts. If you are enjoying the image(s), then so be it..let others voice their thoughts and opinions without putting your own negativity too it. This eagle season at this nest is almost over so just relax and enjoy it when it is available. BRI and staff can handle whatever is posted here. They are adults afterall...positive and negativity is always going to be on blogs.

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  7. Somehow I think that the BRI staff are quite aware that the cameras are stuck and don't need all of us telling them that...they after all are adults. ;-)

    I understand that it is frustrating not to have the wonderful live action that we have been used to in past years. Just suck it up and accept what we are able to observe!

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  8. It has been an exciting, educational, yes, sometimes heartbreaking few months. Being able to peek in on the birds' worlds, well, I'm feeling grateful for the technology that allows it, the sheer magnitude of which I'm not sure some understand. It has been a privilege to be able to log on to the internet, from my cozy home, free from this disgustingly pathetic weather, and see a, well, a 'bird's-eye view' of things. :)

    But, I DO know what goes on BEHIND the scenes to get the pictures 'from their nest to our desktops'. I know some, if not all of the locations are beyond power poles and DSL lines; where cable (or Geek Squad) will NEVER go. I know they don't exist on paved, two-lane roads, a hop, skip, and a jump away from a Tim Hortons, (or Best Buy for spare parts). I know how fickle satellite internet is...a tree leafs out and suddenly the signal is gone. Or a tree that never blocked a 'clear view of the southern sky' has a growth spurt, hmmm...maybe because of all this rain. And I know what signal latency is...that annoying trip a signal has to make up to a satellite orbiting the earth, and then has to make back down...speed-of-light isn't instantaneous. And satellite internet may be the only way to get us the nest views, but it's not immune to bogging down. Better than nothing...but not infallible. I suspect they have to use solar panels, and battery backups just to keep the equipment running. Some days it's a wonder we see all we do!

    Then, I know all about pieces and parts, huge quantities of this and that JUST to get a system up...up and running costs more money. Up and running flawlessly is pretty much a dream. Add lightning strikes, and water in equipment, and replacing expensive hardware...and stuff does wear out, breaks down. It happens.

    So remote locations mean more travel time, more hiking in, more trial and error...more traveling back to try something else. More tweaking. And, through it all, never losing sight that each trip means disturbing the wildlife we so want to see. I know BRI weighs the rights of the wildlife up against the frustration of the viewers. They're biologists...they want us all to be as enthusiastic as they are...to share what they see with us. They are not miracle-workers though. Just because they want to doesn't mean they can.

    I see it this way: it's the birds' well-being vs my desire (not right...privilege) to see it all 'in real time'. I can always watch the eagles fledge on YouTube, like I saw Fiesty, if the Eaglecam2 issues can't be resolved in time. I'm not going to be 'devastated' I didn't see it 'when it happens'. It'd be lovely if I happen to log on and see it unfolding, but seeing it on 'replay' is very acceptable to me. I've read the reasoning that if EagleCam1 has no problems, Patrick should just set things up like that location. I suspect different location means different problems are occurring. Nothing in internet access and video-streaming is ever that simple. Or cheap. I just think it's awesome we got to see all we have so far this year.

    And so I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to all the folks at BRI who do the very best they can to bring the wonders of nature, 'the wilds of Maine' to me, via my business speed DSL, in my office with the coffeemaker, 3 miles from Home Depot and Best Buy and yes, a 'hop,skip and a jump' from a Tim Horton's. It's truly an experience ALMOST like 'being there' LOL. I'm truly grateful. Thanks. :)

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  9. Hey Patrick,

    When can we expect these guys to take their first flight?

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  10. Quote:

    Anonymous said...
    Hey Patrick,

    When can we expect these guys to take their first flight?

    June 29, 2009 10:40 AM

    I'm not Patrick, but it will be awhile because they haven't started branching yet.

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  11. how wonderful to peek into the nest and see those beautiful birds who have servived a very wet spring I AM SURE THAT SOME NESTS THAT WE CAN NOT SEE HAVE NOT DONE SO WELL INCLUDING THE OSPRE BABIES.
    MON 6/2
    FRAN

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  12. Patrick, anyway you can spend a few minutes zooming in on the eaglets? Perhaps post a message here on the blog letting us know what time/date and we all can make sure we are watching. Would love it if you can! Thanks in advance.

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  13. 15 second updates are working beautifully. Mama came in with a fish for lunch, eaglets are growing sooo fast, won't be long before they start jumping around on the limbs.

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  14. Why are the 15 second updates, updating to a white screen? More often than not. Is there a problem? Thanks in advance.

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  15. I have enjoyed watching all of the cameras this season. It is an opportunity I appreciate as it is something I can not do on my own. I will miss checking on the eaglets after they fledge. I hope they stay safe.
    Maine weather is not a friend to technology and I know BRI staff do the best they can. Thank you for everything.

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  16. Gorgeous day at the eagle site. Babies have been fed on what looks like fish and they are beautiful and healthy looking!!!

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