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Published  04 April 2026 

The Connected Conservation Foundation (CCF) today announces the first cohort of scholarships for its Protected Area Technician (PAT) Program, a hands-on initiative focused on building essential technical capacity in conservation landscapes through a blend of sponsorships, online theory, immersive field training and internships. Since launching in July 2025, the online theory course has already trained more than 600 candidates and issued over 700 certificates, many from local communities.

Protected Area Technicians play an increasingly vital role in conservation efforts. From maintaining real-time communication networks and deploying sensor systems to enabling data for ecological monitoring, natural capital accounting and community safety systems, they form the often-invisible technical workforce that allows Protected Areas to function effectively.

This June, the selected cohort will begin an intensive two-week field training program hosted in partnership with the Lapalala Wilderness Nature Reserve in South Africa. The course will focus on hands-on deployment, troubleshooting and maintenance of landscape-scale technology systems.

Congratulations to the 2026 PAT Scholarship winners: 

• Shedrick Eshaka Smith (Liberia)
• Levison Msiska (Malawi)
• Effort Zivengwa (Zimbabwe)
• Kitenge Amisi Gusha (Democratic Republic of Congo)
• Fay Howa (South Africa)
• Idelphonse Tonoukouin (Bénin)
• Joy Muchimba (Zambia)
• Lengo Cedrick (Democratic Republic of Congo)
• Lazasoa Rehodo Soloniaina Laza (Madagascar)
• Mabel Nokhuthula Piki (Zimbabwe)
• Simbarashe Guri (Zimbabwe)
• Valdemar Jonasse (Mozambique)
• Abdallah Makambo (Uganda)
• Duncan Kanyakera (Kenya)
• Jackson Muyale Shisambula (Kenya)
• Nyasha Eric Shenje (Zimbabwe)

Selected from a highly competitive pool, the cohort represents emerging technical professionals from across the continent’s leading organisations, Protected Areas and ministries, including Lengwe National Park, Kafue National Park, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Garamba National Park, WWF DRC and Uganda Wildlife Authority, reflecting the diverse expertise required to support modern conservation technology efforts.

Members will return with advanced skills to support conservation technology deployments across a wide range of ecologically significant landscapes, from Liberia’s Upper Guinean forests to the savannahs of Zambia, the ecosystems of Madagascar and the vast protected areas of the Congo Basin.

Reflecting on the significance of the program, awardees highlighted both the urgency and opportunity of strengthening their technical capacity in conservation:

“Coming from Liberia, home to the largest remaining block of the Upper Guinean Forest, I’ve witnessed the delicate balance between ecological conservation and community needs. Upon my return, I intend to strengthen institutional capacity through improved monitoring systems and training, promote data-driven conservation approaches and develop community-based programmes that foster local stewardship of Protected Areas,” said Shedrick Eshaka Smith.

“I am not simply seeking training, but a shift in how I approach conservation technology. The PAT programme’s focus on the full lifecycle—from planning and deployment to maintenance and capacity building—directly addresses the sustainability challenges we face,” said Nyasha Eric Shenje. 

Connecting technology professionals

CCF’s expert training team is also joined by a coalition of training delivery partners donating their time and equipment to this initiative, including Motorola, Sensible Solar, EarthRanger, African Parks, Esri, Warwick, African Wildlife Tracking, Cisco Networking Academy, Lapalala IT Team and M.A.P. Scientific Services. Supported by funding from Assore, the program brings together equipment, training and hosted real-world learning scenarios to enable long-term professional development. 

The long-term picture

“As Protected Areas face mounting pressure, and technology solutions become embedded in conservation operations, strengthening technical capacity at the field level is becoming essential to effective conservation,” said Sophie Maxwell, CCF’s Executive Director. “The PAT Scholarship Program is building the next generation of skilled technical professionals capable of supporting critical systems across conservation landscapes, while also creating local tech-based opportunities and supporting livelihoods.”

The PAT program forms part of CCF’s broader strategy to strengthen conservation capacity through cutting-edge technology and skills development.

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ENDS

About Connected Conservation Foundation
CCF unites the capabilities of technology companies to equip local partners with game-changing tools for nature protection and restoration. We facilitate essential landscape-scale satellite monitoring and on-the-ground sensing solutions, including digital infrastructure, connectivity, communications, and sensing devices, enabling conservation managers and local communities to pre-empt and stop poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict, and to build resilient ecosystems and communities.

About The Protected Area Technician Program
Since launching in June 2025, the Program has rapidly scaled into a global force for conservation training, issuing over 700 certificates to participants completing its online theory course and catalysing a growing international network of practitioners, innovators and conservation leaders.

CCF has deepened engagement with governments, technologists, conservationists and students through workshops, field-based training, and high-profile international convenings. This has included hands-on training of 150 Kenya Wildlife Service cadets at the Law Enforcement Academy in Manyani, followed by advanced capacity-building sessions with 13 conservancies and government teams during an intensive five-day IoT administration course. Together, these efforts are digitally empowering the conservation workforce and local communities to protect ecosystems in real time, at scale, and with unprecedented precision.

About Lapalala Wilderness

The reserve was established in 1981 with the initial intention of developing the Lapalala Wilderness School, which is now widely recognised as a centre of excellence for its environmental education programmes that continue to be enthusiastically received by primary and secondary schools right up to university students already specialising in aspects of the conservation and management of biodiversity.

Over the past 45 years, with the acquisition of additional land, the reserve, managed by the Lapalala Wilderness Foundation, now spans over 48000 hectares and is a formally declared protected area. Ongoing conservation efforts along with careful reintroductions over this period have seen endemic species flourish, including lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and both black and white rhinoceros. With the support of partner organisations such as the Connected Conservation Foundation, the reserve has implemented a variety of technology solutions in support of its conservation efforts.