WILDLABS
The first International Conservation Technology Conference (ICTC 2026)
After years of planning, last month we welcomed over 600 participants from more than 60 countries to Lima, Peru, for ICTC 2026. What began as a shared vision to create a dedicated space for conservation technology became a vibrant, collaborative convening. ICTC brought together a diversity of stakeholders such as conservationists, technologists, researchers, policy leaders, funders, corporate partners, and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.
Over five days, ICTC 2026 brought together a rapidly growing global field to advance the responsible, inclusive, and effective use of technology for nature. The week began with two days of hands-on workshops at the Universidad de Ingeniería y Tecnología (UTEC), then shifted to three days of core conference programming at the Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center, with plenty of built-in moments to connect.
A massive thank you to all the sponsors, partners, advisory committee members, session leads, volunteers, and the many individuals behind the scenes who made ICTC 2026 possible. You can check out the ICTC 2026 sponsors here.
Big thanks to Manuel Augusto, Enrique Aquino & team for this awesome recap video!
Regional Leadership, Global Collaboration
ICTC 2026 was proudly hosted in Peru, and the regional presence was strong. One third of all attendees were from Peru, and more than half joined from across Latin America and the Caribbean. This regional leadership shaped the tone and substance of the conference, highlighting the importance of locally grounded innovation alongside international collaboration.
Participants represented a wide range of sectors, including conservation NGOs, research institutions, government agencies, technology developers, funders, corporates, and IPLC leaders. The diversity of perspectives underscored a central theme of the week: conservation technology is most powerful when it is collaborative, inclusive, and grounded in real-world application.
Inside the Agenda
ICTC 2026 was intentionally built as both a learning experience and a relationship-building space for the conservation technology community. Across workshops, plenaries, and breakout sessions, we explored how conservation technologies are being designed, applied, governed, financed, and scaled.
Some of our favorite highlights from the week included:
- The launch of the 2026 WILDLABS Awards! You can learn more and submit an expression of interest here.
- Announcing the winners of the 10th Annual #Tech4Wildlife Challenge
- Launching new animal tracking and camera trapping GBIF hosted data portals in collaboration with the International Bio-logging Society
- Closing the conference with an inspiring Danza de las Tijeras performance
Across the week, a clear picture emerged of a field that is rapidly evolving, not just building new tools, but figuring out how to use them well, together, and at scale. Sessions moved from the frontiers of biodiversity monitoring, including acoustics, camera traps, eDNA, drones, and remote sensing, to the practical realities of deployment and decision-making in diverse ecosystems. AI featured prominently, but not as hype; sessions dug into practical workflows and real implementation, alongside frank discussions about responsible, human-centered design. Just as importantly, sessions focused on the foundations that make conservation technology effective, including governance and interoperability, data standards, equitable access and capacity, and the financing and partnerships needed to move beyond pilots toward operational systems that can endure.
What’s Next
We will be posting videos of the opening and closing plenary sessions on our Youtube page, and will follow-up when these are available. We have also heard from many participants who are excited about future editions of ICTC, and we hope to be able to support this. If you are interested in supporting or engaging in future editions of ICTC, please reach out to Talia Speaker at [email protected].
ICTC 2026 was not an endpoint. It was a starting point for deeper collaboration across regions and sectors. We encourage you to continue the conversations and connections across forums such as WILDLABS, slack channels like AI for Conservation, and virtual meet-ups in the community. The WILDLABS team is returning from ICTC re-energized and excited to carry the momentum forward with you!
Related content
Article
ICTC 2026: What we heard from attendees
WILDLABS Team
Insights from participant feedback and how they are shaping future events
26 March 2026
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