The Women in Conservation Technology Programme (WiCT) is supporting early career women conservation technologists around the world. Launched in Kenya in 2022, WILDLABS, Fauna & Flora International (FFI), and Ol Pejeta Conservancy (OPC) launched this programme with a goal of fostering, empowering and developing women conservation technologists and leaders in order to advance and strengthen conservation impact. With this programme, we are supporting women, who are recognized as key conservation stewards, to grow their skills, knowledge, and networks to then apply them in their own work and eventually mentor others in both their host institutions and in future cohorts to come.
The first cohort of this Programme was selected out of a field of 200 applicants. Our 15 emerging female Kenyan conservationists are now going through a 6-month training, aimed to equip them with foundational knowledge in conservation technology and to advance their potential for impactful conservation careers.
Our fantastic inaugural cohort and trainers from WILDLABS, FFI and OPC {Photo credits: Francis from Shades of Acacia Thorn Safaris}
Get to know our first cohort:
- Ann Wambui from Mugie Conservancy
- Christine Mwaniki Mwende from African Wildlife Foundation
- Consolata Gathoni Gitau from University of Nairobi
- Cynthia Waithera Gichimu from Friends of Kinangop Plateau
- Eunice Wanjiku Kamau from Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
- Janet Kavutha Simon from Giraffe Conservation Foundation
- Mary Waithira Ngugi from Mpala Research Center
- Naomi Kung'u from Action For Cheetahs in Kenya
- Zipporah Nyokabi Mureithi from Egerton University
- Phyllis Sherril Masudi from International Livestock Research Institute
- Rita Orahle from Loisaba Conservancy
- Rose Hakofa Abae from Wildlife Research Training Institute, Coastal and Marine Research Ecosystem Center
- Susan Lentaam from Loisaba Conservancy
- Susana Wachia Kihia from Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute:Oceanography and Hydrography department
- Wismer Cherono from Mpala Research Center
View the collection - Making Progress: Women in Conservation Technology Programme, Kenya
Group curators
- @Kungu
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- 1 Resources
- 9 Discussions
- 3 Groups
- @SueWachia
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A marine environmentalist with diverse experience in collaborating on multidisciplinary & community-centred marine research focused on: fisheries management, blue carbon strategies, seagrass ecosystems, & ocean literacy.
- 1 Resources
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- 7 Groups
- @Wismer_Cherono
- | She/Her
Senior Research Scientist and conservationist with a key interest in the conservation of birds through research.
- 0 Resources
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- 5 Groups
- @luciegallegos
- | she/her
Natural Solutions
As an agronomist engineer, I specialized in environmental management and resource conservation. 🌍 Interested in developing solutions for biodiversity conservation #indicators #monitoring
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- 9 Groups
- 1 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 1 Groups
- @catwasp
- | She/her
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- 19 Groups
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An Environmental sciences and Management graduate from SUA, passionate and eager to drive change to the Environment, making World a better place for present and future generations.
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- 2 Discussions
- 10 Groups
- @Naomi25
- | she/her
Naomi Mkama Njarabi, a Tanzanian conservation ecologist and nature enthusiast, is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Biodiversity Conservation at the University of Dar es Salaam, following her completion of a Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Management
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- 4 Groups
- @ruby-hill
- | She/Her
Arribada Initiative
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- @Becky_Heath
- | She/ Her
University of Cambridge & Imperial College London
Interdisciplinary scientist working in field data collection methods and tropical agriculture
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- 9 Discussions
- 7 Groups
- @serena.le
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Conservation tech enthusiast
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- 9 Groups
- @MoniqueWSheSS
- | She
Wildlife enthusiast and Research assistant
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Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
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- 6 Groups
Conservation Biologist
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- 5 Groups
Article
Read our interview with Clementine Uwamahoro, African Parks’ Country Manager in Conservation Technology overlooking technology operations for both Akagera National Park and Nyungwe National Park.
29 November 2023
In the sprawling African savannas, the Acacia xanthophloea takes the spotlight, weaving a tale of resilience against herbivores. The defense mechanisms of plants, such as spines, thorns, and prickles emerge as nature's...
28 November 2023
TagRanger® is a state-of-the-art wildlife finding, monitoring and tracking solution for research, conservation and environmental professionals. With superior configurability for logging data, reporting location and...
23 November 2023
The Women in Conservation Technology Programme, Kenya Cohort have made substantial progress towards their conservation tech objectives as pitched at the closing workshop in November 2022. We catch up with the cohort as...
14 November 2023
At KENVO's Environmental and Conservation Department, I was able to participate in detailed bird, biodiversity and threatened plant species monitoring in Kereita Forest as part of an ITF restoration project, as well as...
14 November 2023
My passion is in designing and implementing conservation projects that address conservation challenges in the grassroots. The WiCT Programme is exactly what I needed to realise and get a clear picture of my...
14 November 2023
Lewa-Borana Landscape (LBL) has over 490 bird species and using the pointers above, I have been able to develop a bird’s photo evidence database which is currently over 80%. The database helps us document the birds of...
14 November 2023
Article
Support from the WiCT Programme assisted me in pursuing research on the electric rhino fence effects on other wildlife species in Loisaba Conservancy. This project will provide insight into how the design of the fence...
14 November 2023
Leading the International Primates Day Awareness Celebrations in the TRPNR, Kenya's center for primate conservation and home to five of the nine primate species and three of the eleven primate subspecies on the Kenyan...
14 November 2023
Engaging in seagrass conservation research along the Kenyan coast with dynamic approaches that integrate the skills I gained from the WiCT Training as part of my Master’s (by thesis) in Zoology program at Stellenbosch...
14 November 2023
Gaining access to research equipment including a new laptop and hard disk has been a game changer for my master’s project. I am now able to carry out data analysis and communication of findings more efficiently.
14 November 2023
Article
My research sought to determine whether Acacia xanthophloea (yellow fever) trees allocate more resources to physical defenses, like spines, in areas where herbivore activity is high. This involved an experimental study...
14 November 2023
December 2023
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Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
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Thank you very much for this Esther. I also came across Trade in Wildlife Information Exchange (TWIX) which is a enforcement tool for international wildlife trade. |
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Women in Conservation Tech Programme (WiCT), Citizen Science, Emerging Tech, East Africa Community | 1 day ago | |
I actually will be in Panama for an internship during June-July in the Azuero peninsula!! What organization are you both involved in? |
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Conservation Tech Training and Education, Early Career, Women in Conservation Tech Programme (WiCT) | 1 month 3 weeks ago | |
Super, I'll be in touch soon! |
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Women in Conservation Tech Programme (WiCT) | 2 months 4 weeks ago | |
You could look at WILDLABS' State of Conservation Tech research results! Shows ~⅓ of survey respondents are female (though this is obviously just a subset of the total people/... |
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Women in Conservation Tech Programme (WiCT) | 3 months 4 weeks ago | |
IntroductionNairobi County, Kenya’s capital, has an initiative that reshapes the lives of animals—the Kenya Society for... |
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Women in Conservation Tech Programme (WiCT) | 4 months 1 week ago | |
Hi folks! Happy 2024 and thanks in advance for your patience in case I over-used tags. If you’re using any form of natural language... |
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AI for Conservation, Citizen Science, Climate Change, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Data management and processing tools, Early Career, East Africa Community, Emerging Tech, Ending Wildlife Trafficking Online, Ethics of Conservation Tech, Human-Wildlife Conflict, Open Source Solutions, Software and Mobile Apps, Wildlife Crime, Women in Conservation Tech Programme (WiCT) | 4 months 1 week ago | |
Hello Rob, I am hoping to have a follow-up soon on this, thanks for the boost!Chat soonNaomi |
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Women in Conservation Tech Programme (WiCT) | 5 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... |
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East Africa Community, Women in Conservation Tech Programme (WiCT) | 9 months 2 weeks ago | |
These are great materials to refer to. I just have to wrap my amateur brain around the technological words but I should be fine. Thank you Harold. |
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Conservation Dogs, Women in Conservation Tech Programme (WiCT) | 1 year 2 months ago |
Conservation of endangered birds in Kenya
30 November 2023 12:57pm
21 December 2023 9:32am
Paving the Way for Women: LoRaWAN Technology in Akagera National Park with Clementine Uwamahoro
29 November 2023 5:22pm
Feeding the Curiosity: A Closer Lookat Acacia xanthophloea's Shifting Defenses
28 November 2023 2:26pm
2 December 2023 9:16am
Enhancing Animal Welfare Through Data-Driven Insights
7 September 2023 7:32pm
8 September 2023 4:30pm
Sound really interesting and valuable Naomi. Looking forward to hearing more as the project continues.
Cheers,
Rob
23 November 2023 1:36pm
Hello Rob, I am hoping to have a follow-up soon on this, thanks for the boost!
Chat soon
Naomi
ICOTEQ launch TAGRANGER® system of products
23 November 2023 1:25pm
AWMS Conference 2023
Eliminatha, WiCT 2023 Tanzania
21 November 2023 1:09pm
Passionate wildlife researcher and tech user, making strides in Grumeti, the heart of western Serengeti,Tanzania, using Camera Traps to gain priceless insights into the lives of this unique fauna and contributing greatly to understanding and preserving the Serengeti's ecosystems.
Making Progress: The Women in Conservation Technology Programme, Kenya
14 November 2023 6:53pm
Volunteering at Kijabe Environment Volunteers (KENVO)
14 November 2023 6:52pm
Awarded the prestigious Chevening Scholarship Award to Study MSc Conservation Biology
14 November 2023 6:51pm
Documenting the Birds of Lewa-Borana Landscape
14 November 2023 6:50pm
Researching on the Electric Rhino Fence Effects on other Wildlife Species in Loisaba Conservancy
14 November 2023 6:49pm
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
What happened to Science During Covid-19 Pandemic?
11 September 2023 1:53pm
Human-Elephant Conflict Tech Solution in Tsavo: NdovuCare
7 August 2023 1:36pm
30 April 2024 12:48am
9 May 2024 1:56pm
15 May 2024 9:34am
As an East African woman in the field of Conservation Technology, what resources have been the most useful for you?
21 June 2023 8:23am
24 July 2023 6:56pm
@EstherGithinji These are some of the coolest programs! Thanks for sharing these. You are addressing 3 critical topics at once: (1) Wildlife Conservation; (2) Economic Opportunity at the Local Level in a sustainable manner that benefits from Wildlife Conservation; and (3) helping to create economic opportunities for women in Africa.
Many of the problems in Africa are the direct result of the economic/power imbalance between men and women. Many women in East Africa (I don't believe in Kenya or Tanzania, but for sure in Uganda where I witnessed it with my own eyes), are going off into "modern slavery" with "labor companies" who subcontract them out as domestic help or factory workers, but then take their passports once they land overseas and then don't pay the wages the women are due. The young women do this because they don't enough opportunities at home.
These programs that you are promoting make a huge difference!
25 July 2023 9:39am
Thanks @Drue_Freeman It really is important to empower young women across East Africa who have so much potential - through upskilling and training for skills that will be vital for the green jobs of the future - one being in conservation technology!
3 August 2023 3:02pm
Conservation Training Programs:
Training conservation leaders and giving them the skills and support they need to be effective on the ground. TBA programmes work on the ground in Africa and Asia, empowering students to make a positive, physical impact on the natural environment.
1. Field Courses: TBA month-long courses in tropical ecology and conservation. These courses are for students at advanced undergraduate or early postgraduate level who have a keen interest, but little experience, in tropical biology.
2. Specialist Courses: These courses provide tailor-made training for individuals, teams and organisations and target specific areas for professional growth.
3. Online Courses: TBA has made training more accessible with online courses.
Gender4Climate Africa Challenge
21 July 2023 11:40am
Renew Capital launches Renew Venture Lab
19 July 2023 1:58pm
Deadline Approaching: WE Africa Leadership Program 2024
7 July 2023 12:54pm
Women in Conservation Technology, Tanzania: Unveiling Our Cohort
23 June 2023 2:13pm
The Wildlife Society Conference
19 June 2023 5:59am
21 December 2023 4:48am