On May 9th 2023, Aaron Marcus-Willers, a Post-Graduate Research Fellow with CITIES, designed an exciting presentation on “Passive acoustic monitoring to assess the effects of urban development on Abu Dhabi’s avian biodiversity”. The presentation provided valuable insights into the importance of acoustics-based methodologies in mitigating the impacts of large-scale development on the environment. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about innovative approaches to monitoring and preserving avian biodiversity in urban environments, highlighting the intersection of technology and conservation efforts.