Redefining MVP: most valuable poo
ConservationCitizen ScienceDataVision AI
The opportunity
Cassowary scats — yes, poo — are goldmines of ecological data. They reveal what cassowaries are eating, where they’re travelling, and which species are thriving or at risk. But this data was underutilised, scattered and hard to share across researchers and the community.
Our response
Heaps Smart helped turn cassowary poo into a science communication tool. We developed a digital cataloguing system to log, label and visualise data from scat samples collected by locals. We also helped design the ‘Wall of Poo’ — an interactive education experience that brings together ecology, tech, and humour to make data accessible and unforgettable.
Impact
- Created a growing open dataset of seed dispersal evidence
- Boosted public engagement in cassowary ecology
- Built the foundations for future biodiversity credit verification
- Translated niche data into a storytelling asset for schools and scientists
What’s next
We're working toward digitising samples with image recognition, exploring blockchain-style tracking for biodiversity verification, and scaling this model for other keystone species.