MERI

MERI Drone Program

MERI uses drones (small unmanned aircraft systems) for site assessment, creek and ditch inspections, wetlands surveying, identifying marsh plant communities and invasive species, as well as terrain modeling. Services include: high resolution, georeferenced ortho imagery and plant health imagery acquisition, 4k video production, panoramic photo collection, 3D mapping and rendering, MERI’s pilots are FAA part 107 sUAS certified.

For drone project inquiries please contact Sandy Speers, Business Administrator by e-mail at sspeers@njsea.com or call 201.460.2800.


Kane Tract Brush Fire Site November 2017 Assessment:

MERI continues to monitor this site in Carlstadt, NJ after the brush fire to see the extent of natural resource loss.

Kane Tract Brush Fire Site Assessment:

MERI’s drone captured video and imagery of the Kane Tract Wetlands after an Oct, 2017 brush fire burned a large portion of organic matter. Smoldering as of Oct 19 flight was still present. This site is located off of Commercial Blvd in Carlstadt, NJ.

Harrier Meadow Site 360 Rotation:

MERI’s drone program can create 4k video products highlighting a site or area of interest. This video depicts a cinematic pan of Harrier Meadow in North Arlington, NJ.

Riverbend Wetlands Preserve Ditch Inspection:

MERI is capable of flying creeks, ditches, and dikes to capture video or high resolution imagery. This video captures  a creek inspection at Riverbend Wetlands Preserve in Secaucus, NJ.

Riverbend Wetlands Preserve Vegetation Survey

One of MERI’s main objectives with the drone program is identifying plant communities both native and invasive. This video shows the distinct boundaries of native low marsh, high marsh, and invasive phragmites vegetation at Riverbend Wetlands Preserve in Secaucus, NJ.

Water Sampling Using a Drone:

This drone water sampler will allow MERI scientists unparalleled capabilities to collect 500ml lab quality water samples in proper acid washed bottles from otherwise inaccessible areas. The sampler was designed by MERI staff and the support bracket was 3D printed.