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Women in Conservation Tech Programme (WiCT) / Feed

Welcome to the home of the Women in Conservation Technology Programme (WiCT)! This is a space for the women and mentors involved in the programme to keep in touch, share updates and resources, and problem solve together! Drop into our group to say hello and keep in touch with the programme and participants. 

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Susana W. Kihia
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.
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Eliminatha, WiCT 2023 Tanzania

ELIMINATHA AMBROSS

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.

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Volunteering at Kijabe Environment Volunteers (KENVO) 

Consolata Gathoni Gitau

14 November 2023 6:52pm

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...

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Documenting the Birds of Lewa-Borana Landscape

Eunice Kamau

14 November 2023 6:50pm

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...

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Researching Seagrass Habitats Along the Kenyan Coast 

Susana Wachia Kihia

14 November 2023 6:47pm

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...

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Game Changing Research Equipment for Masters Project

Zipporah Mureithi

14 November 2023 6:47pm

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.

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Grey Crowned Cranes Census, Kenya 2023

Cynthia Gichimu

14 November 2023 6:44pm

Highlights from my participation in the nationwide grey crowned cranes census organized by the International Crane Foundation, and other partners between February and March 2023 in Kenya to survey one of the most...

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Human-Elephant Conflict Tech Solution in Tsavo: NdovuCare

Sandra Maryanne

7 August 2023 1:36pm

Read our interview with Sandra Maryanne, a young conservation tech innovator raised in Taita, Ivarenyi with first-hand experience on the challenges of human-elephant conflict within her community. To address this, she...

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discussion

As an East African woman in the field of Conservation Technology, what resources have been the most useful for you?

Esther Githinji

21 June 2023 8:23am

Hello Wildlabbers!Are you an East African woman starting or advancing your career in the field of Conservation Technology? What resources have been the most helpful along your...

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Drue Freeman

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!

Esther Githinji

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! 

Esther Githinji

3 August 2023 3:02pm

Conservation Training Programs:

Tropical Biology Association

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. 

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funding

Gender4Climate Africa Challenge

Esther Githinji

21 July 2023 11:40am

Join the movement to create a more sustainable future for our planet, while empowering women as climate champions. Present your climate solutions to industry experts and secure funding for your incredible work.

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discussion

Thinking out loud

Naomi

24 November 2022 2:21am

I am a scat dog handler and have been looking to add tech. into my odor training. I got a fresh idea of making a self-dispensing machine that automates when a small novice puppy...

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Harold Tay

11 February 2023 2:51am

Hi Naomi,

Sounds like exciting work!  I'm not a dog trainer but we did publish 2 articles on automating dog training, here about modifying the Treat and Train, and here.

All the best,

-harold

Paul Bunker

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! 

Naomi

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. 

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