Karibu to the WILDLABS East Africa Community!
Why WE Exist
After 7 years of strategically building the global WILDLABS community, it was now time for our team to venture into the next phase of our programme: creating regional virtual hubs. The very first regional hub to go live is the East Africa community, a space that will create opportunities for members to build their knowledge, skills, expertise and reach. The idea behind creating the EA community spanned from the need to foster connections and collaborations of conservation and technology players in EA as well as make a true positive impact by tailoring resources and opportunities that will help solve conservation challenges in the region. Learn more
All we do at WILDLABS is firmly grounded on the community we serve and hope to serve! As part of this commitment, time and resources have been dedicated to ensure that this platform will be a reliable and credible resource to advance one’s knowledge, skills and be a step towards solving some of the most pressing conservation issues WE face in East Africa.
WE exist to fulfill the needs of conservation technology players in East Africa through resources & opportunities, to add value to their work, to inspire innovation & collaboration and most importantly, to contribute towards making the world a better place!
What WE Hope To Achieve
Purposefully designed to connect conservation technology practitioners and experts based in East Africa, the WILDLABS EA community will be a great space to access and share conservation technology resources, ask and answer questions unique to the landscape, collaborate and generate new and innovative ideas.
This platform is a great space for members to collaboratively fill in regional conservation tech knowledge and skills gaps present and share their work and other resources, reducing and/or eliminating replication and leading to more streamlined and effective solutions. Through the conversations taking place within the community, members will be able to connect with each other and get advice to advance their work, careers, and innovative ideas.
The community hopes to encourage level interactions that will generate new ideas on solving regional conservation tech challenges, encourage innovation, introduce members to new applications of tech in conservation, as well as spark new questions on Conservation tech in EA.
How To Get Involved
Are you keen on getting involved and understanding the intersection of conservation and technology in East Africa? This community offers an exceptional space where you can join us and get involved; to learn, share, collaborate and support one another on matters regarding conservation technology in East Africa. From posting articles, engaging in discussions, attending virtual and in-person events to supporting, applying or taking part in Programmes and opportunities in the community, these are some of the ways for you to get involved.
The first thing you can do when joining our community is to jump into our welcome thread and introduce yourself to our community. Get started here
Resources
The WILDLABS team is dedicated to making conservation tech resources accessible to the whole community in a strategic and equitable manner. With a myriad of engaging events, programmes, weekly conversations and opportunities lined up, the East Africa community will be a great virtual place to build one’s skills, knowledge, and networks. Growing a vibrant and diverse community will be made possible by the collaborative efforts of all members through their interactions and their active participation in regional activities organized/supported by WILDLABS.
Some of the resources that will give you a feel of Conservation technology tools and systems implemented in East Africa include:
- Using IoT and Machine Learning to Protect Kenya's Rivers.
- Learning Resource: Exploring Species Interactions with Snapshot Serengeti.
- Mobile Phone Reporting for Rapid Wildlife Health Response in Uganda
Members of the East Africa community are invited to share their projects, organizations, experiences, failures, and ideas in their Conservation Tech work, to support the development of tools that will form part of the resources made available to other members.
Programmes
Women in Conservation Technology Programme
With a cohort of 15 talented and emerging female conservationists, our inaugural Women in Conservation Technology Programme, is the first of many Programmes organized for the community. WILDLABS, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, and Fauna & Flora International partnered to run this programme as the very first opportunity organized for the East Africa community.
This programme is designed for early career Kenyan women in conservation who are looking to explore emerging conservation technologies. In addition to in-person and virtual training on foundational skills and knowledge on conservation technologies to overcome conservation and wildlife challenges in Kenya, participants have an opportunity to network with a strong cohort of other women leaders in the field and gain professional development skills. Through this unique blend of training and networking, we hope to empower Kenyan women in conservation who are often underrepresented in the sector. It is an avenue to encourage the group to generate innovative ideas, novel solutions, and diverse perspectives that engender conservation success.
We received close to 200 outstanding applications for the Programme this year, and this reminded us of the collaborative conservation efforts, implemented through great projects running, exceptional conservation and technology organizations and visionary conservationists in East Africa. We hope to reach more conservation technologists to build their knowledge and skills through such trainings and capacity building Programmes.
'Women in Science are often underrepresented in Kenya. Intentionally creating this training Programme for Women in Conservation Technology goes a long way to show that well-thought out initiatives are currently being put in place to empower women in the field. This Programme will not only benefit me, but will be a motivation to upcoming Women in Conservation Technology.'~ Consolata Gathoni Gitau
With the knowledge and skills garnered from this programme, participants will be able to spread awareness of novel conservation technology solutions to their home organizations and empower other female conservationists. We believe that this Programme is a great strategic direction towards empowering early career female conservationists!
Events
From in-person and virtual events, this hub is a great place tailored for conservationists and technologists in East Africa to support each other in creating novel solutions to complex regional conservation challenges. The East Africa community will be part of already established virtual events such as Tech Tutors and Virtual meetups, where topics covered will answer questions related to conservation challenges unique to East Africa. The virtual events will bring together members and participants to learn new skills, get expert advice, ask questions, gain knowledge and foster existing knowledge and skills.
The East Africa community exists because of each of you, and we hope you are happy to join and use the platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration and networking. You can join the community and interact with other members here. To get in touch with Netty Cheruto, our WILDLABS East Africa Community Coordinator, email her at: [email protected].
Header Image: @Dylan Habil
Group curators
- @EstherGithinji
- | She/Her
WILDLABS & Fauna & Flora
I am the WILDLABS East Africa Conservation Technology Coordinator
- 102 Resources
- 32 Discussions
- 4 Groups
- @Namukuru
- | Her/ she
I am an Environmentalist with a background in Data Science. I envision a world where development is founded upon sustainability. I believe in executing projects that leverage innovation to enhance the well-being of the environment, the people, and the economy; simultaneously.
- 1 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 3 Groups
- @matt_hron
- | He/Him
Wildlife Protection Solutions (WPS)
Product Manager at Wildlife Protection Solutions
- 0 Resources
- 7 Discussions
- 8 Groups
- @Koku
- | She
Wildlife enterprise development and Conservation research
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 1 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 4 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 5 Groups
- @Camilla_Odhiambo
- | She
A wildlife conservationist, photographer and storyteller.
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 1 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 3 Groups
- @lhughey
- | she/her
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
I am an ecologist and program manager with experience leading collaborative research projects in international settings. I specialize in the application of animal tracking data to conserve migratory species on a changing planet.
- 3 Resources
- 8 Discussions
- 3 Groups
I am Head of Partnerships at Sovereign Nature Initiative, a Dutch not-for-profit. Our work focuses on the research & development of technology, governance framework and economic models that are in service to life.
- 2 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 1 Groups
- @Priscilla_Shao
- | she/Her
I am a 27 year old working in at the Gombe Stream Research Center as a Veterinary Laboratory Technician. Our main aim is the conservation of wild chimpanzees found in the Gombe National park.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 1 Groups
- @tiffaposee
- | Selflove
Environmental Disaster Manager - Working LEAD Foundation- Executive Assistant
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 1 Groups
- @Pepyanyabuma
- | she
Conservationist/ecologist
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 4 Groups
WildLabs will soon launch a 'Funding and Finance' group. What would be your wish list for such a group? Would you be interested in co-managing or otherwise helping out?
5 June 2024
We are excited to announce the commencement of our third Women in Conservation Technology Programme in partnership with the Grumeti Fund and Fauna & Flora, as we bring the programme back to Tanzania. Our first in-...
30 May 2024
The Fonseca Species Conservation Fund supports early career conservationists working on projects regarding threatened amphibians, freshwater fish, primates, small mammals, tortoises and freshwater turtles 'in urgent...
29 May 2024
Do you have photos and videos of your conservation tech work? We want to include them in a conservation technology showcase video
17 May 2024
In 1987, sustainability was defined by the United Nations Brundtland Commission as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”In 1987,...
7 May 2024
Article
Read in detail about how to use The Inventory, our new living directory of conservation technology tools, organisations, and R&D projects.
1 May 2024
Article
The Inventory is your one-stop shop for conservation technology tools, organisations, and R&D projects. Start contributing to it now!
1 May 2024
Tap into our new and exciting community-focused conversation series! In this first season of InConversation, we're in East Africa with host Esther Githinji. Listen in as we chat one-on-one with your favourite...
30 April 2024
Article
What better way to conclude InConversation Season 1: East Africa than by delving into the exciting yet complex world of #tech4wildlife innovation across the region. This episode is going to be double the insight and...
30 April 2024
It has been an extraordinary year supporting and growing the regional East African Conservation Technology Community at WILDLABS. We've made great strides and unlocked exciting opportunities for our community as we...
29 April 2024
Watch our interview with pioneering young Tanzanian vulture researcher Vainess Laizer! Her research investigating the breeding success of white-backed vultures in the western corridor of the Serengeti ecosystem using...
16 April 2024
Are you passionate about wildlife conservation and eager to contribute to meaningful research efforts? Lion Landscapes is seeking a dedicated and proactive Research Assistant to join their team.
11 April 2024
June 2024
event
September 2024
event
October 2024
November 2023
event
Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lovely to hear from you Kylie :) Thanks so much for contributing your thoughts and ideas towards this. |
|
East Africa Community | 9 months 3 weeks ago | |
Conservation Training Programs:Tropical Biology AssociationTraining conservation leaders and giving them the skills and support they need to be effective on the ground. TBA... |
|
East Africa Community, Women in Conservation Tech Programme (WiCT) | 10 months ago | |
|
Climate Change, Community Base, East Africa Community, Emerging Tech, Software and Mobile Apps | 10 months ago | ||
@richardturere Hello :) and a warm welcome to WILDLABS! Here is the link to @Lekato Samuel Lekato - Founder and Chairman, Enduata Emaa CBO. Sam is interested in conservation... |
|
Citizen Science, Climate Change, Community Base, Connectivity, Conservation Tech Training and Education, East Africa Community, Human-Wildlife Conflict | 10 months 1 week ago | |
Ben Letcher from the comment below will be able to provide much more in-depth info, but feel free to email me at [email protected] |
|
East Africa Community, Sensors | 11 months ago | |
Hey everyone,On Thursday 11th May, Howard Frederick from Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute will be covering a Tech... |
|
Community Base, East Africa Community, Protected Area Management Tools | 1 year 1 month ago | |
greetings! i sent you a PM regarding this, feel free to contact me however is most convenient for you - regards,chris |
|
Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Camera Traps, Climate Change, East Africa Community, Wildlife Crime | 1 year 1 month ago | |
Hi Rupert,My name is Jordan Steward and I lead comms and marketing for EarthRanger. Happy to put you in contact with a member of our team who can help you out here. My email is... |
|
East Africa Community, Protected Area Management Tools | 1 year 2 months ago | |
Hi Carly,There are no built in automatic drop-off mechanism for the tags. We do have customers that have purchased and incorporated the tag into different types of harness and... |
|
Biologging, East Africa Community | 1 year 8 months ago | |
@Ann_Wambui , Qgis and ArcGis Desktop are stand alone apps that are useful in coming up with geojson files and/or shapefiles that store the location, shape, and attributes of... |
|
Data management and processing tools, East Africa Community, Protected Area Management Tools | 1 year 9 months ago | |
HI benard sorry am replying late,and yes i the data was exported as shapefile 2.i used same projection which is 37N WGS 84 on both apps and still the exported shape file... |
|
Remote Sensing & GIS, East Africa Community | 1 year 10 months ago | |
100%! Also heard many asking about SMART Connect & Mobile, and their integration with other software.Thank you for your input :) |
|
Community Base, East Africa Community | 1 year 10 months ago |
Citizen Science as a Tool to Enhance Biodiversity Conservation in the Tana River Primate National Reserve (TRPNR)
14 November 2023 6:48pm
Researching Seagrass Habitats Along the Kenyan Coast
14 November 2023 6:47pm
Game Changing Research Equipment for Masters Project
14 November 2023 6:47pm
Adaptable Defenses: How Yellow Fever (Acacia Xanthophloea) Trees Respond to Pressure from Herbivores
14 November 2023 6:46pm
Creating Awareness on Bushmeat Offences Using Local Barazas and SMS
14 November 2023 6:44pm
Grey Crowned Cranes Census, Kenya 2023
14 November 2023 6:44pm
Tracking the Strides: Reticulated Giraffe in Mugie Conservancy
14 November 2023 6:43pm
Insight; a secure online platform designed for sharing experiences of conservation tool use.
7 November 2023 1:01pm
A secure platform designed for those working to monitor & protect natural resources. Insight facilitates sharing experience, knowledge & tools to increase efficiency & effectiveness in conservation. By sharing we reduce time & money spent to find, test, & implement solutions.
Democratising Access to Earth Observation Data, Saving Wildlife across East Africa with Digital Earth Africa's Dr. Kenneth Mubea
3 November 2023 1:24pm
How 400km solar-powered fence reduces human-wildlife conflict - The Standard
31 October 2023 7:35am
An electric, solar-powered fence erected by the Rhino Ark Charitable Trust partnering with the Kenya Wildlife Service completed in 2009 evolved into the longest conservation barrier that safeguards vital forests in the Aberdare Conservation Area fostering peaceful coexistence.
Takeaways from the First-ever Africa Climate Summit: Conservation Technology is Still New(ish)
27 October 2023 11:54am
5 Trailblazing Wildlife Monitoring Tech Solutions across East Africa. What Monitoring Technologies are you using?
25 October 2023 12:40pm
Virtual Reality (VR) in Climate Change & Conservation Education
25 October 2023 10:43am
Restoring the Mara Elephant Population Using Coexistence Tech Solutions with Mara Elephant Project's Wilson Sairowua
20 October 2023 1:31pm
27 May 2024 3:54pm
28 May 2024 8:12am
Discover Digital Earth Africa
6 October 2023 1:26pm
TAWIRI 14th Scientific Conference 2023
28 September 2023 3:50pm
GIS & Data Science Specialist, Connected Conservation Foundation
27 September 2023 1:28pm
Human - Non-human Primate Conflict Mitigation Approaches: Lessons from Olive Baboons - YouTube
26 September 2023 12:11pm
Hear about the ways Uaso Ngiro Baboon Project (UNBP) works with Laikipia's local communities to improve relationships between humans and baboons through this talk by Co-Director - Dr. Corinna Most on human-baboon conflict and mitigation strategies.
1st Wildlife Scientific Conference 2023
25 September 2023 11:10am
Geospatial Data Scientist, Varaha
25 September 2023 9:58am
Chief Information and Technology Officer, Conservation International
14 September 2023 9:13am
ConTechAfrica: Alina Peter Daati's new initiative to bridge conservation issues to tech solutions
13 September 2023 4:56pm
Predator Monitoring & Community Conservation within the Greater Mara Ecosystem
13 September 2023 10:22am
The Maasai Mara: Conservation, Communities & Cattle
11 September 2023 2:12pm
Video: WCS Uganda innovating Human-Wildlife Conflict solutions
5 September 2023 12:04pm
Alibaba Cloud's Geo Fencing System in the Mara
1 September 2023 12:27pm
Wilson Sairowua, Tracking Manager at Mara Elephant Project (MEP) narrates how tech4change, Alibaba Cloud's Geo Fencing System paired with collaring has helped to mitigate human-elephant conflict across Maasai Mara and has facilitated a 72% increase in elephants in the Mara region
DSAIL Tech4Wildlife Workshop
1 September 2023 11:32am
26 September 2023 6:54am
26 September 2023 9:19am
Introducing Esther Githinji, WILDLABS East Africa Conservation Technology Facilitator
1 September 2023 11:23am
Seedbank Project on iNaturalist
25 August 2023 4:28am
Born Free Uses Smart Maps to Save Lions, Solve Human-Wildlife Conflict
17 August 2023 2:35pm
Location intelligence helps Born Free Kenya understand where communities and lions are in conflict. Outreach to fortify cattle corrals is guided by smart maps and spatial analysis.
15 May 2024 10:16am