🌱 SEAD Artists – May Newsletter

Pioneering Sustainable Tech in the Landscape

📣 Project Extended!

We’re thrilled to announce that DEFRA, Natural England (PEF) have officially extended our project by an additional year. This is a major vote of confidence in the incredible work the consortium has been delivering — and the momentum is only growing.

Here’s what’s coming next:

• BASIS-Accredited “Intro to Drones” Course

  • An accessible entry point for those new to drone tech in land and environmental management.

• CAA-Approved BVLOS Pathway (AAE)

  • We’ve helped develop the first Civil Aviation Authority-approved Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) pathway in an Atypical Air Environment (AAE) — opening the door for safer, more efficient drone operations on restored and fragile land.

🔬 Tech in Focus

Our team is continuing to push the boundaries of drone-enabled environmental management:

• Typha Biology Recommendations – enabling better agronomic planning

• Sphagnum Collection Trials – for efficient restoration supply chains

• Hyperspectral Detection via Drone – early insight into crop health and biodiversity

🤝 Engaging the Sector

We’re growing our reach and making sure our impact lasts:

• Stakeholder Advisory Board launched

• Marketing and Webinars in development

• Conference Reports & Attendance ongoing

• Landowner MOUs & Agreements underway

👥 Welcome to Our New Partners

We’re happy to welcome our latest partners to the SEAD Artists consortia:

• Anglia Ruskin University

• IT Surveillance

• Dr Owen McAree at The University of Liverpool

• FLNT

Their contributions will accelerate innovation across drone operations, sensor technologies, and academic insight.

📣 We’ve Been Featured in Agri-TechE!

Agri-TechE has just published a full feature on our BVLOS approval milestone, showcasing how SEAD Artists and AutoSpray Systems are transforming agriculture with safer, smarter drone operations.

📰 Read the full article to explore how this unlocks new potential in drone spraying, hyperspectral imaging, Typha harvesting, and more.

👉 Click here to read the full feature

📅 And don’t miss our free online session – 14 July, 1–2pm, hosted by Agri-TechE: "Elevating Agriculture: Unlocking the Potential of Drones" (Free to members!)

Stay tuned.

This next year is going to be our most impactful yet.– The SEAD Artists Team