Mara Elephant Project named conservation partner for Global Conservation Tech & Drone Forum 2026

GCTDF 2026, themed “Technology in Service of Nature: Protecting Wildlife, Supporting People, Restoring Ecosystems,” will bring together rangers, community leaders, technologists, researchers, policymakers, and youth from Africa and beyond. The forum will focus on the practical use of technologies such as drones, satellite sensors, GIS, and data-driven tools in biodiversity protection, ecosystem restoration, and community resilience.

As part of the partnership, MEP will support the forum’s centrepiece initiative, the inaugural Youth Conservation Tech Award 2026. The non-cash award recognises young people aged 25 and under (as of 1 March 2026) who are applying technology in operational, field-based conservation work.

The award targets practical solutions, including drone monitoring, sensor networks, and conservation data platforms that demonstrate measurable impact, ethical technology use, and leadership. Awardees will be selected through a multi-stakeholder judging process and recognised during a plenary session at GCTDF 2026.

Recipients will receive a formal certificate, supported participation in the five-day forum, and inclusion in official event communications. The initiative aims to promote peer learning and strengthen career pathways in conservation technology, particularly for youth working in African and comparable conservation contexts. Nominations are now open.

MEP operates across the Greater Mara Ecosystem, focusing on elephant protection, human–wildlife coexistence, and habitat conservation. Technology forms a growing part of its work, including the operational use of drones for wildlife monitoring and rapid response to human–elephant conflict, alongside training and capacity building for rangers and conservation practitioners.

During GCTDF 2026, MEP will share its experience in ranger training and drone operations, regional knowledge exchange programmes, the application of emerging monitoring technologies, and efforts to expand access to technical skills and leadership opportunities for women and young people in conservation.

According to MEP Chief Executive Officer Marc Goss, participation in the forum reflects the importance of collaboration and skills-sharing in modern conservation.