YDQA: Ep 14 - "How are drones used to support environmental initiatives?"

Welcome back to another episode of "Your Drone Questions. Answered"! In this episode we interview our expert guest Glenn Dickow, a citizen member of the Town of Delavan Lake Committee in southern Wisconsin and a lake quality advocate. His mission is to address the water quality issues facing Lake Delavan and educate others who love the lake.

In this episode, we explore how drones are used to support environmental initiatives, focusing specifically on Glenn's work with Lake Delavan. The drone provides a unique and new perspective for lake property owners and boaters, allowing them to see the lake from a different angle.

Glenn explains that water quality is measured based on factors such as clarity and phosphorus levels. Excessive phosphorus from surrounding farmland can lead to the growth of plants and algae, eventually harming the lake ecosystem. To address this issue, Glenn highlights the importance of maintaining the ponds that filter out the phosphorus-laden sediment. He uses his drone to capture footage of the ponds and the dredging process, providing visual insights to lake lovers and stakeholders.

Glenn shares his experience with the DJI Mini 3 Pro drone, which he finds easy to use, even as a novice. The drone's safety features, such as returning home when the battery is low or out of sight, alleviate concerns about accidents. He plans to take a certification course to ensure responsible drone piloting near private airports and looks forward to exploring other sections of the lake to create informative videos.

We conclude the episode by discussing the advice Glenn has for beginners interested in using drones for environmental initiatives. He emphasizes the importance of passion and using drones as a unique storytelling tool to convey messages effectively. Taking the initiative and fearlessly trying it out are key to success.