The Global Conservation Tech & Drone Forum (GCTDF 2026) has announced the inclusion of the Women in Conservation Forum (WiCF), to be held on Monday, 2nd March 2026, in Nairobi.
This initiative, backed by key government and conservation partners including Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Action Labs, and funding sponsors – The Wildlife Society and Island Foundation, underscores the Forum’s commitment to amplifying the indispensable role women play in conservation across Kenya and Africa.
In Kenya and throughout the continent, women are at the forefront as community conservancy leaders, wildlife rangers, researchers, and advocates. Their unique perspectives are critical for effective, inclusive conservation outcomes.
The WiCF is designed to honor this contribution by creating a focused space for women practitioners, policymakers, researchers, private-sector leaders, and global partners to connect.
The event will feature keynote addresses from distinguished leaders including Arnolda Shiundu, Chair of Kenya Wildlife Trust, who notes: “Having a seat at the table and influencing decisions isn’t just a conservation issue, it’s a life issue… This conference matters because it creates space for that leadership.”
The program is structured to foster deep engagement, beginning with mentorship workshops and culminating in a networking cocktail. The event has attracted conservation partners including Mara Elephant Project, Connected Conservation Foundation, Leopard Ecology and Conservation, and technology allies wilddrone.eu and Nature Drones CiC will support a dynamic platform for peer learning and problem-solving.
“The Women in Conservation Forum is a catalyst for building a stronger, more unified community of practice,” added Ms. Macayle Rose Guerin, the Forum’s Lead Organiser.
“The scale of biodiversity loss demands that we move beyond isolated projects. The GCTDF exists to build the coalitions necessary to scale what works,” added Mr. Jonty Slater, Co-Founder, GCTDF. This coalition includes drone and innovation partners GIZ, Robonation, WeRobotics and Flying Labs, Kenya Flying Labs, the African Drone Forum, the Drone Association of Kenya, and in-kind supporters Phantom Technologies.
Speaking on community-led innovation, Mr. David Guerin, Co-Founder, GCTDF noted: “Technology in conservation is only as powerful as the community it serves. This is where we shift from deploying tools to empowering stewards.”
The agenda will feature keynote addresses, professional development workshops, and networking sessions
