In February, we met the management of Naibunga Upper Conservancy, for a data monitoring follow-up visit, to strengthen the use of the SMART conservation data management system. The engagement focused on improving data flow, quality control, and reporting processes across SMART Desktop, SMART Connect, and SMART Mobile platforms. Areas of review included patrol data entry accuracy, database management, and consistency in uploading patrol data. Strengthening the use of SMART is critical to...

From a monitoring and evaluation perspective, February focused on strengthening capacity, coordination, and data monitoring engagements. The Tropical Biology Association TBA hosted a workshop focusing on the role of emerging technologies in strengthening biodiversity monitoring across Africa, while examining systemic barriers limiting their effectiveness. Discussions covered tools such as camera traps, AI, eDNA, underwater monitoring systems, acoustic sensors, drones, and integrated platforms...

We continued with the member visits initiative, an annual activity that provides an opportunity for the secretariat and Members to align on priorities, update Members on our annual workplan and identify areas of collaboration and design a road map towards unlocking the same. In the month of February, we visited Loirien conservancy where discussions focused on Loirien’s priorities and achievements, key among them efforts towards digitalizing data collection processes, removal of invasive...