AUBURN-The Alabama Department of Environmental Management has
partnered with Auburn University, using drones to enhance
ADEM’s mission.
Since an initial agreement was reached in October of 2023
between ADEM and Auburn, approximately ten flights have been
accomplished. The Department is aiming to increase awareness
about the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program.
On February 18, Destinee Ray from Auburn’s Biosystems
Engineering Department visited ADEM to talk about the drone
program with ADEM employees at the monthly “Break to
Educate” session. She brought one of the University’s drones for
everyone to view up close to see the sensors and cameras used, and
to review maps and diagrams illustrating how images and data
from the drones can support environmental management.
Ray said Auburn was one of the first colleges in the country to
obtain approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to use
drones for agricultural, environmental, industrial, and law
enforcement applications. From helping modernize inspections and
improving public safety to giving agencies and organizations a
bird’s-eye view, Auburn is exploring ways that unmanned aircraft
can advance research in engineering, building science, and
precision agriculture.
“We have everything we need to do drone flights,” said Ray. Auburn University’s partnership with ADEM
supports the Department’s mission by providing a useful tool, in the form of images, video and data, to ensure
permittees are in compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
Devin Jenkins in ADEM’s Water Division is the Department’s liaison for the drone flights. He said Auburn
typically requests up to two weeks to schedule a flight, and ADEM personnel are always required to be on site –
on the ground – with AU staff during the flights.
Media Release/Alabama Department of Environmental Management
