Reflections from the Global Conservation Tech and Drone Forum 2026

Our colleagues, Kenneth Ramah and Elsa Klarich, represented WeRobotics at the Global Conservation Tech and Drone Forum 2026 (GCTDF), held on March 2-6, 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya. They teamed up with Cleopa Otieno and Tiamiyou Radji who also represented the Flying Labs Network. The forum convened a global community of nature conservation practitioners, technologists, policymakers, researchers, and grassroots organizations exploring how drones, data, and AI can support the protection of biodiversity and natural ecosystems.

The conversations went far beyond technology itself, focusing also on the broader ecosystem required to make conservation technology effective: people, partnerships, policies, and data systems.

A Diverse Nature Conservation Technology Community

One of the most striking aspects of the forum was the diversity of organizations represented. Delegates included public institutions, international conservation NGOs, grassroots environmental groups, conservation groups, research institutions, technology innovators, drone operators, humanitarian organizations, and more.

Organizations working directly with communities shared insights alongside technical experts building new drone platforms and AI tools on the importance of partnerships in operational work and emphasized the role of community stewardship in protecting forests and restoring biodiversity and natural ecosystems.

The discussions resonated with our focus on locally led and globally supported solutions and reinforced something we often see in our work: technology only becomes meaningful when it is embedded within strong local networks and partnerships.

Drones as a Tool for Conservation Impact

A cross-cutting theme throughout the forum was the growing application of drones in nature conservation work. From wildlife monitoring and forest mapping to environmental restoration and threat detection, drones are enabling conservation teams to monitor landscapes more efficiently and gather data that was previously difficult or costly to obtain.

However, an important reminder echoed across several sessions: drones are not meant to replace community-based conservation efforts. Rangers, local communities, and environmental stewards remain the first line of defense in protecting ecosystems. Technology simply enhances their ability to observe, document, and respond to environmental changes.

This perspective resonates strongly with WeRobotics’ approach of placing local actors at the center of technology adoption rather than treating technology as a standalone solution.

The Rise of AI and Digital Conservation

Another major theme at the forum was the growing role of artificial intelligence in nature conservation. AI models are increasingly being trained to analyze drone imagery, identify wildlife, detect environmental degradation, and support ecological research.

While these technologies are advancing rapidly, delegates emphasized the importance of maintaining a “human face” in AI-driven conservation. Algorithms can process vast amounts of data, but interpretation still requires human judgment, local knowledge, and contextual understanding. Without that, automated insights risk being misinterpreted or disconnected from on-the-ground realities.

Data Challenges: From Collection to Decision-making

A recurring challenge raised throughout the forum was the paradox of data abundance but limited data use. Many conservation initiatives collect large volumes of imagery and environmental data using drones and sensors, yet much of this information remains underutilized.

Sometimes the challenge lies in technical capacity where organizations may lack the tools or expertise to analyze the data effectively. In other cases, data is locked in institutional silos due to legal frameworks, copyright restrictions, or internal policies. Delegates highlighted the need to ensure that technological data is not just collected, but integrated into conservation management systems so that it can meaningfully inform decision-making and policy. Through our Turning Data Into Action (TDIA) program introduced in 2020, we have addressed this challenge by creating a methodology that puts local communities and stakeholders at the centre of data-driven decision making.

Capacity Building Remains Essential.

Another key takeaway was the importance of sustained training and capacity building. While many nature conservation organizations are experimenting with drones, there are still significant gaps in technical skills, especially at the managerial level.

Effective drone programs require more than trained pilots. Teams need expertise in designing monitoring protocols, analyzing datasets, and communicating results in ways that inform conservation strategies. This is where long-term capacity-building approaches become critical. Training must be viewed as an ongoing process that evolves alongside the technologies being used. Many Flying Labs across the Network already work closely with local governments, non-profit organizations and communities to provide training and ongoing support to leverage data-driven decision making.

Policy and Regulatory Considerations

The regulatory environment also emerged as an important factor shaping conservation drone operations. For example, discussions around drone regulations in Kenya highlighted how certain advanced operations such as beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) are still handled on a case-by-case basis by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.

Delegates emphasized that regulators should be actively included in conversations about technology capacity building. As drone applications evolve, regulators need the opportunity to understand these emerging use cases and develop frameworks that support responsible innovation.

This aligns with our work with the Flying Labs Drone Regulations Engagement Framework, co-designed by WeRobotics, Namibia Flying Labs, and Deloitte D2international to create spaces where regulators and innovators can meet, not as adversaries, but as collaborators. In Kenya and in Togo, our co-creation workshops aimed at implementing the framework have already made significant strides. 

Communities at the Center of Conservation Technology

Perhaps the most powerful message from the forum came from community-led conservation initiatives. Many speakers emphasized that local communities are often the first to detect environmental threats, from deforestation to ecosystem degradation.

Technology can strengthen these efforts by equipping communities with tools for monitoring forests, documenting environmental changes, and contributing to citizen science initiatives. When local knowledge and technological tools come together, conservation efforts become both more effective and more inclusive.

Call to Action

Attending the Global Conservation Tech and Drone Forum reinforced an important lesson: conservation technology is about collaboration.

Unlocking the full potential of drones, AI, and digital tools will require stronger partnerships between technologists, conservation practitioners, communities, and regulators. It will also require more shared learning, better documentation of real-world use cases, and continued investment in local capacity.

For WeRobotics, these conversations reaffirm the importance of our work: supporting local experts, strengthening locally adapted drone regulations, and ensuring that technology serves the communities and environments it is meant to protect. Because ultimately, the future of conservation technology will depend not just on the tools we build but on the people and partnerships that bring them to life.

We extend our gratitude to Nature Drones, our partners and sponsors, for organizing this important event and for allowing WeRobotics and the Flying Labs Network to support the forum as partners.