Canopy Clearer

Limited sunlight reaching the forest floor because of dense canopy cover prevents saplings and young trees from growing. Since beavers rely on these trees as a major food source, the minimal plant growth can force them to leave their natural habitats and move closer to human-populated areas in search of food. This creates human-wildlife conflict. To address this issue, we asked ourselves: how might we create a device that can safely and efficiently clear sections of the canopy to allow more sunlight to reach the ground? Our solution was to design a drone attachment capable of flying into forested areas, attaching itself to branches, and selectively cutting parts of the canopy. By opening areas for sunlight to pass through, the drone helps sapling growth, restores food sources for beavers, and helps keep them within their natural ecosystems.

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