README.md

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title: README
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# Hakai Institute

<img src="https://hakai.org/wp-content/themes/HakaiInstitute/images/logo.svg" alt="Hakai Institute Logo" width="400"/>

The Hakai Institute is a scientific research, teaching, and meeting center located on Calvert Island, British Columbia, Canada. We specialize in long-term ecological research with active programs in archaeology, earth sciences, terrestrial ecology, and marine ecology.

## About Us

- 🌎 **Locations**: 
  - Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
  - Quadra Island, British Columbia, Canada
  - Calvert Island, British Columbia, Canada
- 🏛️ **Established**: 2002
- 🔬 **Type**: Ecological observatory
- 🌿 **Focus**: Long-term ecological research on the Central Coast of British Columbia
- 🤝 **Partnerships**: First Nations, local schools, government agencies, and BC universities

## Our Work

At Hakai Institute, we're dedicated to understanding and preserving the rich ecosystems of coastal British Columbia. Our research spans various disciplines, including:

- 🏞️ Terrestrial ecology
- 🌊 Marine ecology
- 🏺 Archaeology
- 🌋 Earth sciences

## Machine Learning Projects

We're leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance our ecological research:

- 🛰️ **Habitat Mapping**: Developing ML models for mapping kelp, mussel, and seagrass habitats using drone and fixed-wing aerial imagery.
- 🦑 **Kelp-o-Matic**: Our open-source package for kelp detection and mapping. [Check it out!](https://kelp-o-matic.readthedocs.io/en/stable/)

## Resources

- 🌐 **Website**: [www.hakai.org](https://www.hakai.org)
- 📚 **Research Publications**: [https://hakai.org/publications](https://hakai.org/publications)
- 💻 **Software**: [github.com/HakaiInstitute](https://github.com/HakaiInstitute)