Not every project is about profit. Some of the most meaningful work we do supports communities, conservation efforts, research initiatives, and the next generation of remote sensing professionals. The techniques, technologies, and safety systems we've developed should benefit more than just commercial clients.

Aeria partners with non-profits, Indigenous communities, educational institutions, students, and startups to provide data and expertise that strengthen project planning, environmental stewardship, and long-term capability building. This isn't charity - it's passion for an industry we care about, and recognition that the best work happens through collaboration.

Non-Profit Drone Services

We offer discounted aerial survey and remote sensing services to qualified non-profit organizations working in conservation, environmental research, and community development. Our goal is to make professional drone operations accessible to organizations that might otherwise be unable to afford them.

Our approach goes beyond providing services at reduced cost. We invest in capacity building - developing training programs and standardized procedures that allow organizations to continue their work independently. Recent collaborations include working with the Pacific Salmon Foundation on their Bottlenecks to Survival Program, developing pinniped monitoring protocols and training programs for partner First Nations communities including Cowichan Tribes, Snuneymuxw First Nation, K'ómoks First Nation, and the A-Tlegay Fisheries Society.

Search and Rescue Support

Our commitment to benefiting community interests extends to personal involvement in volunteer emergency services. Dustin Wales, CEO, serves as Drone Program Coordinator for Squamish Search and Rescue - one of Canada's busiest SAR organizations.

This isn't corporate sponsorship. It's hands-on volunteer work that directly contributes to search and rescue capabilities in our region. The skills, protocols, and operational discipline we bring to commercial drone operations translate directly to SAR, and vice versa. What we learn in emergency response informs every aspect of our business.

Indigenous Community Partnerships

We build respectful, collaborative relationships with Indigenous communities, providing aerial data that supports environmental stewardship and long-term land use planning.

Our work with Pacific Salmon Foundation partner communities demonstrates this approach: comprehensive training programs tailored for community members, standardized procedures ensuring consistent data collection, and ongoing regulatory consulting and technical guidance. We're not extracting data - we're building capability. This work is grounded in transparency, respect, and shared outcomes.

Research and Development Partnerships

We actively engage with students and startups on R&D projects because innovation comes from collaboration. Our VeilNode project - a passive airspace awareness system developed in partnership with EagleEyes Search - demonstrates how we push remote sensing technology forward.

The remote sensing industry benefits from operators who also advance the technology. What we learn in R&D directly informs our operational capabilities, and our field experience shapes development priorities. For students and startups working on innovative applications, we offer collaborative development, field testing support, and technical mentorship from experienced operators who understand both the technology and the regulatory landscape.

Training the Next Generation

The Aeria Training Hub provides free resources to help aspiring operators pass their Advanced RPAS exam and prepare for professional drone work. We share practical content on mapping missions, SOP development, safety management systems, and operational best practices.

Why give this away? Because it strengthens the industry we care about. More skilled, safer operators benefit everyone. For those pursuing Level 1 Complex certification, we offer comprehensive training combining classroom learning with real field time - 20-hour ground school covering Transport Canada knowledge requirements, SOP development, emergency procedures, and practical flight planning.

Start a Conversation

Whether you're a non-profit seeking drone data support, a community building environmental monitoring capability, a student with a research project, or a startup developing new applications - reach out. We're looking for partners who share our commitment to meaningful work.