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
- 1 Discussions
- 7 Groups
- @Wismer_Cherono
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Senior Research Scientist and conservationist with a key interest in the conservation of birds through research.
- 0 Resources
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- 5 Groups
- @sheavang
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Hello, my name is Shea Vang. I am a first generation Hmong woman professional interested in learning more about green/sustainable practices, clean tech, and carbon projects.
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- 4 Groups
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
- 1 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 6 Groups
- @frides238
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Hi! I am Frida Ruiz, a current Mechanical Engineering undergraduate student very interested in habitat restoration & conservation. I am excited to connect with others and learn about technology applications within applied ecology & potential research opportunities
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- 2 Discussions
- 13 Groups
- 1 Resources
- 1 Discussions
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- @vandita_shukla
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PhD candidate studying drone flight planning for enabling tracking and identification of individual characteristics of wildlife; member of the WildDrone, an MSCA Doctoral Network funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research
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- 20 Groups
- @HollyCormack
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Biodiversity Knowledge Management Intern at the Biodiversity Consultancy Ltd
- 6 Resources
- 5 Discussions
- 6 Groups
- @aleontiou
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- 0 Resources
- 10 Discussions
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Founder & CEO of we.are.tohorā, creating a community that cares about whales, the environment and each other.
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- 13 Groups
- @snapshot_serengeti
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Fauna & Flora
Conservation, Innovation, Education
- 7 Resources
- 21 Discussions
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- @StephODonnell
- | She / Her
WILDLABS
I'm the Community Manager at WILDLABS
- 151 Resources
- 657 Discussions
- 30 Groups
- @hadija
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I am an environmental scientist
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- 1 Groups
- @Fatuma
- | She/Her
I aim to transition my career towards conservation technology after gaining two years of experience in the tech industry.
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- 14 Groups
Careers
The Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute is seeking a Program Manager to help coordinate multiple organizations in an effort to integrate movement data & camera trap data with global...
22 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
On 27th March, our Women in Conservation Technology Programme Kenya Alumni and East Africa Community participated in a vibrant #IWD2024 gathering in Nairobi in collaboration with other women-focused organisations...
9 April 2024
Are you an emerging Tanzanian conservationist looking to leverage new technologies in your conservation practice and become part of an empowering network of female conservation leaders? Apply now for our Women in...
25 March 2024
As we launch the search for our third Women in Conservation Technology cohort, let’s take a moment to reflect on the highlights of our 2023 journey and shine a spotlight on the incredible women of our inaugural...
22 March 2024
Do you know anyone interested in this position? Let them know by sharing widely.
27 February 2024
My deepest passion in conservation is in seeing communities at the centre of projects that serve their livelihood interests and needs. My journey as I pursue my MSc in Conservation Biology at the University of Kent is...
22 January 2024
The Reticulated giraffe ( Giraffa reticulata ), recognized as a distinct giraffe species in recent studies, has encountered significant declines in population over the past few decades. Although recent data suggests a...
2 January 2024
Disseminating research data is essential for building a collaborative and informed approach to community conservation, ensuring that interventions are locally initiated, well-directed, sustainable, and inclusive.
1 January 2024
Wildlife crimes continue to impede law enforcement efforts in many African countries despite efforts by governments and stakeholders. The Tsavo ecosystem, located in Kenya experiences its fair share of these activities...
31 December 2023
As I sit down and reflect on my journey, I cannot help but express my hearty gratitude to the organizers of WICT Programme 2022.
31 December 2023
The Somali ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes) also known as the blue-necked ostrich, is a large, flightless and non-migratory bird native to the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti and Kenya). It was previously...
22 December 2023
December 2023
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Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
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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 ago | |
Super, I'll be in touch soon! |
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Women in Conservation Tech Programme (WiCT) | 2 months 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 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) | 3 months 2 weeks 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) | 3 months 2 weeks 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) | 4 months 4 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) | 8 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 1 month ago |
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
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
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
Women in Tech Festival 2023
12 May 2023 1:43pm
In Review: The Women in Conservation Technology Programme, Kenya
3 April 2023 11:50am
Apply now: Women in Conservation Technology Programme, Tanzania
3 April 2023 10:31am
Thinking out loud
24 November 2022 2:21am
11 February 2023 2:51am
11 February 2023 6:19pm
Thank you for this exciting reply and links to the papers. I use an olfactometer that utilizes Arduino boards. It has been used linked to a treat and train, although my system provides sound feedback and I provide the reinforcements. I found these links very interesting!
28 February 2023 7:26pm
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.
Job: Building a network of conservation tech across continents
2 February 2023 1:50pm
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!