Frequently Asked Questions

We offer four integrated services: Ecosystem Mapping, Forage & Rangeland Analysis, Rangeland Conservation Support, and Technology & Model Development. Most engagements combine two or more. See the Services page for full descriptions.

Defend the Core is a Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) and USDA initiative focused on protecting intact sagebrush and grassland from invasive annual grass encroachment. Zubr provides the mapping and documentation that supports clients participating in these programs — core rangeland delineation, invasive encroachment monitoring, and vulnerability assessments. We are a data and analysis service provider supporting program participants, not a program operator.

The NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides cost-share funding for conservation practices on agricultural and rangeland. Zubr provides baseline invasive species assessments, monitoring and evaluation reports, and documentation that support EQIP applications and practice verification. If you are working through an EQIP application, we can help with the data and reporting side of the process.

We start with a scoping conversation to define species targets, coverage area, flight timing, and deliverable formats. We then conduct hyperspectral UAV surveys and optionally integrate satellite data for broader context. Outputs are GIS-compatible files, maps, and reports delivered on a timeline aligned with your program or management needs.

Yes. We offer handheld NIR scanning for crude protein, ADF/NDF fiber content, and invasive species presence in bales and forage lots — our Ventenata detection calibration is a working example of this. We also offer biomass estimation and forage composition analysis from UAV and satellite data for landscape-scale needs.

We have a working calibration for Ventenata detection in hay and forage. We can build calibrations for any customer-requested plant target for both handheld NIR and hyperspectral remote sensing applications. Building a new calibration requires a dataset collection phase specific to your target species and region.

Yes. Technology & Model Development is a core service. We design custom NIR and hyperspectral hardware, collect calibration datasets, develop and validate ML models, and support field deployment. Our handheld hay bale scanner for Ventenata detection is an example of this full process from concept to validated instrument.

We start with a scoping conversation to define deliverables, timeline, and success criteria. Most engagements run 4–16 weeks depending on data collection logistics and program deadlines. We provide a clear statement of work before any contract is signed. Many clients engage us on a recurring basis for monitoring or program reporting work.

You own your data. All maps, reports, and scan results remain yours. We do not use client data for any purpose outside the agreed engagement without explicit consent.

We primarily serve the Western U.S. and Northern Great Plains. For satellite analysis and model development work, we can engage remotely. Contact us to discuss your geography.

All services are scoped and priced per engagement based on geography, species targets, data type, program requirements, and timeline. We do not publish standard rate cards. Every engagement starts with a scoping conversation — see the Pricing page for an overview of service categories.

We are an early-stage company actively building our program partner network. If you are an NRCS office, weed district, land trust, conservation organization, or agency looking for a data services partner for rangeland mapping or invasive species work, we would like to talk.