About – HARDSHELL LABS

Hardshell Labs, Inc., (“HSL”) founded and led by biologist Timothy A. Shields, has developed deep knowledge of avian perception, behavioral patterns, memory, and social learning. Shields founded HSL to conserve indigenous wildlife and to offer humane, commercially viable techniques for avian damage control at facilities affected by bird predation, including: protecting high value agricultural crops; deterring infestations at landfill and composting installations; mitigating power tower nesting sites; and, supporting military and civilian airport BASH prevention programs.

Among the new tools and techniques under development are laser- and aerial-drone-centered avian repulsion, internet connected, wildlife observation devices, as well as 3D printed predator lures and remote sensor pods for facility and environmental monitoring. HSL has invested in advanced design and technology development, and logged extensive field trials and operational use of remote nest treatment devices, including aerial drones equipped with HSL’s patent pending application system.

Tim Shields

Tim Shields’ lifelong fascination with and love for reptiles led him to a 35-year career as a desert tortoise researcher, principally in the Mojave Desert. The population crash that he subsequently witnessed, and his understanding of the causes of that catastrophic decline, drove him to search for ways to aid the desert tortoise in its struggle to survive.

Pursuing this path, Hardshell Labs has discovered several very promising technologies to help the tortoise and is applying them to that task. Among these are remote egg oiling (REO) to reduce raven reproductive success, effective hazing of the birds with lasers and aerial drones, and the use of highly realistic tortoise models (Techno-tortoises™) to deliver aversive experiences to tortoise-killing ravens to dissuade them from further such attacks.

New tools make new jobs possible and, in trying to help the desert tortoise, HSL has created devices and techniques that could benefit many other threatened and endangered species. Beyond that, limiting the damage ravens and other pest birds do to other creatures has made HSL aware that the same methods can be adapted to reduce damage to resources valuable to people. So, the company has evolved from focusing solely on desert tortoise conservation into one dedicated more broadly to avian damage control, whatever the asset at risk.

As to the future, HSL finds exciting opportunities for active citizen engagement in conservation work. The devices the company is developing are powerful tools for doing conservation and resource protection. But equipping these devices with internet connectivity and other forms of remote control will greatly broaden the number of people who can participate. By remotely using Hardshell devices deployed in the field, participants will learn about the Earth, its wonders and threatened treasures, and contribute to protecting those resources.

Ravens Flee Laser

To be clear, the technology exists to connect operators from around the world with Hardshell Lab technology. We have already demonstrated this with the Guardian Angel Rover, a device used to observe desert tortoise behavior from a camera equipped, internet connected rock crawling vehicle. Hardshell Labs intends to turn these high-tech windows on the natural world into portals through which everyone can come to know their planet and playfully contribute to its well-being. Humans love to play and Hardshell Labs is going to create conservation games to provide fun while generating a positive outcome for the world.