Today, drones are not just limited to commercial operations or military use but are being used beyond them as well; drones for civilian use immensely outnumber those being used by the military. Drones have already had a significant impact in several fields such as monitoring the activity of illegal hunting, to giving researchers a never before seen look at wild orcas, the ways in which drones can be used to help in the protection of our environment is just beginning to take-off.

The application of drone technology has been gradually expanding across commercial and recreational fields in recent years, from surveillance and rescue operations to aerial photography, and digital communications. Also, in the time of a natural disaster or even a human-made disaster such as an oil spill, a drone can fly in to aid in relief efforts, assess damages, look for victims, and even monitor weather changes.

Today, drones are being used to monitor and inspect a wide range of research projects including the monitoring of restoration plans and the tracking of melting glaciers. Drones play a very important role in the event mapping of a disaster because it can be deployed quickly, effectively gather data to help workers make more informed decisions in order to save lives, and reduce potential damages.

With the improvements in the drone technology, drones will become more affordable and competent. Also, accordingly new regulations need to come into effect, and more focus has to be put into the research to see the potential effects drones could have on the environment. While the list of reasons a drone can be used for, continues to increase, more ways to save the planet via a drone will begin, developing the way conservation and environmental projects are conducted.