NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 21 – Women in conservation will take centre stage at the Global Conservation Tech and Drone Forum (GCTDF 2026) with the launch of the Women in Conservation Forum (WiCF), scheduled for Monday, March 2, 2026, in Nairobi.
The Women in Conservation Forum, supported by key government and conservation partners including the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Action Labs, alongside funding sponsors The Wildlife Society and Island Foundation, underscores the growing recognition of women’s critical role in conservation efforts across Kenya and Africa.
Across the continent, women serve as community conservancy leaders, wildlife rangers, researchers, and advocates, playing a central role in shaping inclusive and effective conservation outcomes. Organisers say the forum aims to provide a dedicated platform for women practitioners, policymakers, researchers, private-sector leaders, and global partners to connect, collaborate, and amplify impact.
The event will feature keynote addresses from conservation leaders, including Arnolda Shiundu, Chair of the Kenya Wildlife Trust, who emphasised the importance of women’s leadership in decision-making.
“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,” Shiundu said.
The programme is designed to encourage meaningful engagement, starting with mentorship workshops and concluding with a networking cocktail. Conservation partners such as the Mara Elephant Project, Connected Conservation Foundation, and Leopard Ecology and Conservation will participate, alongside technology partners including wilddrone.eu and Nature Drones CiC.
“The Women in Conservation Forum is a catalyst for building a stronger, more unified community of practice,” said Macayle Rose Guerin, the Forum’s Lead Organiser.
GCTDF Co-Founder Jonty Slater said the forum reflects the broader mission of building coalitions to address accelerating biodiversity loss. “The scale of biodiversity loss demands that we move beyond isolated projects. The GCTDF exists to build the coalitions necessary to scale what works,” he said.
The forum is supported by drone and innovation partners including GIZ, Robonation, WeRobotics and Flying Labs, Kenya Flying Labs, the African Drone Forum, the Drone Association of Kenya, and in-kind supporters Phantom Technologies.
GCTDF Co-Founder David Guerin said technology must be grounded in community needs to deliver lasting conservation impact. “Technology in conservation is only as powerful as the community it serves. This is where we shift from deploying tools to empowering stewards,” he said.
The Women in Conservation Forum will feature keynote sessions, professional development workshops, and structured networking aimed at strengthening collaboration across the conservation and technology ecosystem.
