Upcycling browntail to improve air quality and forest health.
A restorative forestry approach to removing and heat-treating browntail webs as recycled biochar.
We’re on a mission to automate the removal of browntail moths from Maine, and recycle the branches from their clipped webs into biochar to support plant life, hold water, reduce fire risk and sequester carbon.
An annual public health crisis worth preventing.
Browntail presents a dire public health crisis as its toxic hairs persist in the environment for up to 3 years, leaving behind unseen threats to human health.
Action is needed to protect Maine communities from further harm and concerns for well-being.
Remote removal is proven, scalable, and safer.
Remote removal of browntail moth nests is significantly safer for workers than direct removal, particularly when working at heights near power lines. The use of computer vision technology enhances precision in identifying and targeting nests, ensuring even more effective removal.
With the operator on the ground, many risks are eliminated. Video streamed from the robotic arm allows dextrous operation from the comfort of a climate controlled ground station. The system learns with each trim, constantly improving scalability for remote drone operations, to treat infested trees inaccessible by aerial platform.
Browntail biochar? Maine’s got 7M+ lbs.
Converting branches from browntail winter webs into activated biochar provides a sustainable way to reverse infestations while enriching soil for new plant life. This process recycles a byproduct of eco-friendly pest control into a valuable resource, promoting healthier forest ecosystems and improving air quality.
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We’re excited to share how we’re solving the browntail problem across Maine’s many affected communities, starting this winter.
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