Stanford PhD Transforms Drone Technology to Save Forests

Dr. Sarah Chen, CEO of Amber Grove Inc., is revolutionizing forest management through AI-powered drones, transforming how we protect and preserve our woodland ecosystems.

The genesis of this groundbreaking approach began during Chen’s doctoral studies at Stanford’s Environmental Sciences department. While using conventional drones to study California’s redwood forests, Chen and fellow researcher Marcus Rivera identified critical limitations in existing monitoring methods. Traditional approaches—ground surveys, occasional flyovers, and satellite imagery—provided only fragmented data, often too infrequent or low-resolution to catch emerging threats.

Their research site was nearly destroyed by a devastating wildfire, a pivotal moment that crystallized their vision. “After watching a wildfire nearly destroy our research site, we realized that forests needed guardians—constant, intelligent monitoring systems that could detect problems before they became catastrophes,” says Chen.

This revelation led to the founding of Amber Grove Inc. in early 2023, with their first prototype drone system built in Chen’s Berkeley garage. The company’s flagship product, the GroveGuardian™, represents a revolutionary integration of environmental science and artificial intelligence.

Unlike conventional drones that merely capture footage, these specialized UAVs function as autonomous environmental scientists. Each drone is equipped with a suite of sensors including multispectral cameras, LiDAR, thermal imaging technology, and specialized air quality monitors. This extensive sensor array enables simultaneous tracking of multiple forest health indicators.

What truly sets the system apart is its brain. Chen, leveraging her background in artificial intelligence, developed proprietary algorithms that transform raw environmental data into actionable insights. The AI can identify early signs of pest infestations, disease outbreaks, drought stress, and fire risk—often weeks before human observers would notice visual symptoms.

The drones operate in coordinated swarms, autonomously mapping territories and collaboratively focusing on areas of concern. Their advanced navigation systems allow them to safely maneuver through dense forest canopies, reaching perspectives inaccessible to traditional monitoring methods. Energy efficiency innovations, including solar-augmented battery systems, enable extended deployment in remote areas.

Environmental impact considerations were paramount in the drones’ design. The vehicles operate with minimal noise and disturbance to wildlife, with flight patterns specifically programmed to avoid disrupting sensitive species during breeding seasons or other critical periods.

The technology has already proven its value. In Oregon’s Willamette Valley, where Amber Grove maintains its research facility, the system detected the early stages of a bark beetle infestation that threatened thousands of acres of forest. Targeted intervention saved an estimated 40,000 trees—a conservation success story that would have been impossible without the early detection provided by the drones.

As climate change intensifies threats to forest ecosystems, Chen’s technological solutions represent a critical tool for environmental protection. Under her leadership, Amber Grove now manages over 1.2 million acres across three countries, steadily expanding its digital forest guardianship with operations in the USA, Canada, and a pilot program in Norway.

The company’s rapid growth—projected to reach $12 million in annual revenue for 2024—demonstrates the market’s recognition of Chen’s vision. With their recent $18 million Series A funding round led by Breakthrough Ventures and recognition including the 2024 CleanTech Innovation Award, Chen’s approach is becoming the new standard in environmental technology.

“We’re not just building better tools for foresters,” Chen explains. “We’re creating a new relationship between technology and nature—one where innovation serves conservation rather than exploitation.”

As forests face unprecedented challenges from climate change, invasive species, and development pressures, Chen’s integration of drone technology and artificial intelligence offers a powerful new approach to forest stewardship—one that could help ensure the survival of these essential ecosystems for future generations.