Elevate your skills beyond drone flying

My mission is simple - to make drone & geospatial technology accessible, accurate & empowering!

Whether you’re interested in using drones for mapping coastlines, monitoring crops, managing natural resources or story-telling, my comprehensive training programs teach you how to collect and use geospatial data that drives meaningful action!

Who Do I Train?

Marine Conservation, Science & Communication Nonprofit | SpeSEAS Trinidad

My Participatory Approach

Transforming How We Work Together To Manage Our Environment

  • Building Capacity & Shared Understanding

    I firmly believe that by strengthening people’s technological skills to collect data & work together we create shared understanding & collaboratively develop holistic environmental information to enable the development of innovative, locally-relevant & effective solutions for our environmental challenges.

  • Participatory Mapping & Monitoring

    My signature 'Participatory-UAS' drone mapping and monitoring methodology is designed to be accessible, using 'off-the-shelf' drones, data collection & analysis workflows allowing you to quickly learn how to conduct drone mapping surveys & create accurate geospatial data to address your environmental management needs.

  • Ecosystem-Based Data & Collaborative Decision-Making

    You'll be empowered to plan and collaboratively create ecosystem-based geospatial data and information as well as learn how to: integrate your drone mapping results with local knowledge and leverage tech tools to analyze and widely share your drone mapping results, geospatial data & multi-media to a variety of audiences.

All of my training courses include access to

To support your learning journey

  • Cohort Courses with Live Coaching

    In my courses, we learn together as a cohort, fostering a small group dynamic where you can thrive. Besides our classes together, my courses include office hours to address any of your questions. Additionally, you'll have access to online tech support and my SkyTribe global drone pilot community where we share industry news, tips, and celebrate our achievements together!

  • Archive of Learning Resources

    You will have access to my complete 'drone & geospatial' resource library that I have been compiling since 2015. I update my archive quarterly and include useful reports, user guides, documents, blogs, research articles, videos, podcasts, links to my favorite websites, and even free online training courses. The resources are categorized by industry and applications for easy reference.

  • Checklists, Datasheets & Logbooks

    Data handling and management skills are key to professional operations. I'll provide you with flight checklists, data sheets, pilot reporting logs, as well as online forms for evaluating flight requests, flight planning and maintenance procedures based on international commercial Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure your drone operations are compliant using the highest professional standards.

Dr. Kim Baldwin

Connecting People + Technology + Information

I’m a marine ecologist, GIS educator, and commercial drone pilot with over 20 years of experience in environmental mapping, monitoring and training across the Caribbean, California and beyond.

As the Founder and Director of Marine Spatial Information Solutions (MarSIS) Inc., I’ve built a career around one core mission: empowering people to use participatory approaches together with drones & geospatial tools to make data-driven, real-world impact.

Through my Training Academy, I’ve taught hundreds of individuals and organizations how to safely & professionally operate drones, conduct drone mapping missions, collect accurate environmental data and analyze and share their results for agriculture, fisheries, conservation and disaster management. My Participatory-UAS approach brings together science, technology and collaboration — ensuring that every learner, regardless of background, can build confidence and contribute to smarter environmental decision-making.

Whether you’re an individual seeking new skills or an organization building technical capacity, my goal is to make drone technology accessible, practical and transformative. Together, we can learn how to use technology tools to help us protect our planet and strengthen the communities that depend on it.

Come Fly With Me Today!

Dr. Kim Baldwin

Marine Ecologist | Drone Educator | Geospatial Innovator

Who Do I Train?

Department of Environment | Government of Anguilla

Testimonials

Want to speak to any of my previous clients? Just let me know!

“Kim is an excellent teacher and her drone training course was so beneficial to the Mustique Company. She customised the course to suit our needs which included conservation, operations, maintenance and security. I highly recommend this versatile course. Kim will teach you tips and tricks you won’t learn elsewhere!”

“Dr. Baldwin is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Her teaching approach was methodical, covering the background information on UAVs, their usefulness in research and the reasons for flight regulations. She was patient as we learned the basics of pre-flight preparations and flight with UAVs and was very effective at teaching our team the differences between and benefits of the available software. I would recommend training with her to anyone interested in using drones for research.”

“Kim is a highly motivated, inquisitive, and independent scientist. Her passion resides in the merging of participatory research and stakeholder collaboration to improve applied environmental management. Kim has worked on several participatory projects over the years to produce information in a format which is both understandable and accessible to all stakeholders; thereby facilitating ownership, capacity building, equity, and collaboration to improve ecosystem-based management and strengthen governance in the Caribbean”

My client portfolio includes

My courses have been applied by a variety of industries, applications & end-users

Ready To Get Started

Take my free Drone Readiness Quiz and discover your pilot profile today!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do I need to have a drone?

    For most of my courses — yes, having a drone capable of mapping is essential to get the full hands-on experience.

    However, if you’re brand new to flying, start with the Drone Flying Fundamentals Mini Course. It’s designed to help you understand recreational drone flying basics, flight safety, and setup of your first drone — very useful to take even before investing in a new drone!

  • Who are these courses designed for?

    These courses are designed for professionals, students, and organizations who want to use drones and geospatial tools for real-world environmental management — from agriculture and fisheries to coastal conservation and disaster response.

    Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced pilot expanding into professional mapping, there’s a clear learning path for youI

  • What if I have to miss a class?

    No worries! All of my courses are hosted using Thinkific online learning dashboard, where you can watch courses whenever it suits your schedule. You’ll also have access through the Thinkific mobile app, so you can learn on the go & revisit course resources 24/7.

  • Will I receive a certificate?

    All courses include a Certificate of Completion, issued through my integrated partnership with AirData UAV. Certificates can be shared publicly on your AirData profile or LinkedIn, showcasing your verified skills in drone operations, mapping, and environmental applications.

  • When do the courses begin?

    The start dates for my courses vary as they are run as 'cohorts'.

    My Commercial Drone Operations course starts in November 2025 & Participatory-UAS Mapping & Monitoring flagship will begin in early 2026 & will be run several times a year. By pre-enrolling or subscribing, you'll be among the first to know when the next cohort begins!

  • What about drone mapping software?

    Depending on the specific course, we may be using drone mapping and/or geospatial software. The good news is that most of these software packages offer free evaluation trial periods that you can use during the course, allowing you to explore their functionalities without any additional cost.

  • Do you offer in-person training

    Absolutely! I understand that every person and organization have unique needs and preferences. Therefore, I offer the flexibility of private in-person training courses that can be tailored to your specific requirements and available budget. These courses can be conducted at your location, ensuring convenience and personalized attention for your team.

    Contact me for more information regarding in-person training and group discounts. I will work closely with you to understand your organization's goals and design a training program that aligns perfectly with your needs.

  • Do you offer discounts or payment plans?

    Yes, I understand that financial considerations are important, and I offer payment plans are offered via Klarna, AfterPay and Apple Pay to make the training accessible to a wide range of individuals. Please contact me if you have a financial hardship.

    Additionally, I provide discounts for non-profit organizations, community groups, and youth. I am actively seeking funding opportunities to support a limited number of scholarships. Please contact me to explore potential avenues for financial support.

Just Starting Out ?

Drone Flying Fundamentals Starter Kit — a simple, step-by-step resource to help you build a strong foundation to get you started flying recreationally with clarity & confidence!

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