The Mara Elephant Project (MEP) has confirmed its partnership in the upcoming Global Conservation Tech & Drone Forum (GCTDF 2026), set to take place from 2–6 March 2026 in Nairobi and Konza Technopolis.
Themed “Technology in Service of Nature: Protecting Wildlife, Supporting People, Restoring Ecosystems,” GCTDF 2026 will bring together rangers, community leaders, technologists, researchers, policymakers, and youth from across Africa and beyond.
The forum will explore how drones, satellite sensors, GIS, and data-driven tools can be leveraged to protect biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and enhance community resilience.
As a lead partner, MEP will support the forum’s Youth Conservation Tech Award 2026, a non-cash recognition initiative aimed at highlighting young innovators aged 25 and under (as of 1 March 2026) who are applying technology to practical, field-based conservation solutions.
The award will recognize operational innovations such as drone monitoring, sensor networks, and data platforms that demonstrate measurable conservation impact, ethical use of technology, and leadership. Winners will be selected through a transparent, multi-stakeholder process and celebrated during a high-profile plenary session at the forum. Awardees will receive a certificate of recognition, supported participation in the five-day event, and exposure through official communications, offering both visibility and professional validation.
MEP operates across the Greater Mara Ecosystem, focusing on elephant protection, human-wildlife coexistence, and habitat conservation. Technology is central to its work, particularly drones for wildlife monitoring and rapid response to human-elephant conflict, alongside training and capacity-building initiatives.
At GCTDF 2026, MEP will showcase its expertise in:
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Training rangers in drone operations, aerial monitoring, and data-driven conservation decision-making.
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Extending knowledge exchange programs to partner organizations across Africa.
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Integrating emerging technologies for improved ecosystem monitoring and land-use analysis.
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Empowering women and youth in conservation by increasing access to technical skills, leadership, and meaningful participation in technology-led initiatives.
MEP CEO Marc Goss said,
“Joining GCTDF 2026 is important because conservation today depends on sharing knowledge, building skills, and working together across disciplines and borders. Emerging technologies drive innovation and are most effective when grounded in field experience and accessible to the people shaping the future of conservation in Africa.”
