The Global Conservation Tech & Drone Forum (GCTDF 2026) will convene from 2–6 March 2026 in Nairobi and Konza Technopolis, Kenya, showcasing how drones, AI, sensors, and data systems can safeguard biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and strengthen communities. Anchored to World Wildlife Day (3 March) and leading into International Women’s Day (8 March), the Forum highlights Africa’s growing leadership in responsible conservation technology.
Organised by the non-profit Nature Drones CIC, GCTDF 2026 blends field demonstration, policy dialogue, and open science. The week features the Global Conservation Leaders Roundtable, Women in Conservation Forum (WiCF), and Conservation Data Management Summit (CDMS)—each building momentum toward an inclusive, data-driven future for nature protection.
Details
Purpose and Vision
GCTDF 2026 connects conservationists, technologists, researchers, policymakers, and youth around one core principle: technology must serve nature first. Over five days, participants will share lessons, test tools, and co-design ethical frameworks for applying drones, AI, IoT, and geospatial data in biodiversity monitoring and ecosystem management.
- Core Program
- Plenaries & Roundtable
- Opening Plenaries – policy, science, and field innovation in conversation.
- Global Conservation Leaders Roundtable – senior figures from major NGOs, scientific societies, and UN initiatives developing a joint statement on ethical technology use and collaborative research.
Thematic Tracks
- Global Drones in Nature Conservation (G-DiNC) – low-disturbance flight operations, anti-poaching tools, habitat mapping, and frontier aerial systems.
- Behind the Data – AI, GIS & Conservation Intelligence – AI-driven analytics, data ethics, and interoperability.
- Connected Environments – Sensors, Bioacoustics, Satellites & Marine Tech – integrating terrestrial, aquatic, and space-based sensing for climate resilience.
Expo & Poster Sessions
At Nairobi’s Trademark Hotel, conservation tech companies, NGOs, and universities will exhibit innovations, while student and WildDrone PhD posters provide interactive research showcases. Live flight demonstrations will take place at Konza Technopolis.
Spotlight Events
Women in Conservation Forum (WiCF) – Friday 6 March 2026
Celebrating women’s leadership in conservation and technology through keynotes, mentoring circles, and the Women in Conservation Awards. Planned with UN Women Kenya and UN Conference Services (UNON), WiCF bridges global gender equity and biodiversity goals, producing an open mentorship toolkit and ongoing peer network.
Conservation Data Management Summit (CDMS) – Thursday 5 March 2026
Co-hosted with Konza Technopolis, RCMRD, KWS, Digital Earth Africa, EarthRanger, SMART, and WILDLABS, CDMS develops regional principles for ethical and interoperable conservation data governance—linking tools and platforms to real-world biodiversity outcomes.
Competitions & Awards
- Conservation Data Algorithm Challenge – teams analyse authentic datasets on species detection or habitat change.
- University Innovation Competition – posters + 3-minute student pitches.
- Conservation Tech Awards – Best Drone for Impact, AI for Earth, Monitoring Breakthrough, Student Innovation Prize.
- Women in Conservation Awards – recognising leadership and storytelling advancing responsible tech.
All results will be published under CC BY 4.0, ensuring open, replicable learning.
Youth & Community Engagement
Initiatives include:
- “Voices from the Sky” Anthology – youth-authored stories and comics linking drones & nature.
- STEM Drone Workshops for schools and rangers.
- DUCC Challenges – university-level applied research competitions.
- Bursaries and mentorships for Global South students and early-career professionals.
Legacy & Partnership
Every presentation, dataset, and technical output will be openly shared (CC BY 4.0) to build a global repository of conservation tech knowledge.
Operating on a non-profit, transparent model, GCTDF offers Platinum, Gold, and Silver sponsorships that directly fund youth bursaries, WiCF, and open-access publishing. Post-event impact reports will document educational reach, research outputs, and measurable conservation benefits.
Get Involved
Researchers, innovators, rangers, students, and policymakers are invited to collaborate through the WILDLABS community and the Forum’s working groups.
Contact:
David Guerin – [email protected]
Jonty Slater – [email protected]
Macayle Guerin – [email protected] (WiCF / Drone Use-Case Research)
Learn more:
https://www.gctdf.org/
Join the discussion on WILDLABS and help shape how technology protects nature.