Hanoi, Vietnam – 20 October – The Vietnam Administration of Forestry (VNFOREST), Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), SMART Partnership, Ai2’s EarthRanger, and Save Vietnam’s Wildlife will host the inaugural Applied Conservation Technology Congress (ACT Con) from 3-7 November 2025. The event will bring together rangers, frontline practitioners, technologists, researchers, government representatives, and funders to accelerate practical, field-proven technology solutions for biodiversity conservation.
Conservation is rapidly evolving, and those on the frontlines are finding new ways to protect wildlife and ecosystems. ACT Con brings these practitioners together to share lessons from the field and explore how technology can strengthen their impact. The congress serves as a global, action-focused forum showcasing how technology supports conservation outcomes on the ground. The program will feature case studies, hands-on training, technology demonstrations, and discussions on how to turn monitoring and operational data into timely, effective conservation action.
Plenary speakers include Dr. Tran Quang Bao, Director General of VNFOREST, MAE who will open the event; Dr. Nguyen Manh Hiep of IUCN Vietnam; Louise de Bruin, Chief Executive of the Game Rangers’ Association of Africa; Jose Louies from WildTrust India; Dr. Meredith Palmer of Yale University; Bunty Tao of the Ranger Federation of Asia; and Dr. Trang Nguyen of WildAct Vietnam.
Program themes include Field-Driven Technology Solutions, Data for Conservation Action, Equitable Access to Conservation Technology, Innovations Serving the Front Line, and a dedicated Hands-On Learning and Training Lab. (Full track descriptions and program structure are summarized in the ACT Con goals and audience brief.)
“ACT Con brings together those who use conservation technology and those who design it, so learning stays practical, grounded, and scalable,” said Dr. Cleo Graf, Executive Director of SMART. “The focus is on proven solutions that help conservation teams stay safe, work efficiently, and make faster, better-informed decisions.”
The congress follows the recent launch of the SMART–EarthRanger Conservation Alliance (SERCA), a new global effort to unite technology, training, and field expertise to improve how protected areas are managed worldwide. SERCA also aims to close the gap between those with access to cutting-edge tools and those working in the most remote, resource-limited areas, ensuring conservation technology serves everyone on the front line.
“ACT Con and the SERCA collaboration are built on the understanding that technology is only a tool,” said Jes Lefcourt, Director of EarthRanger. “These gatherings connect us with the incredible people using these tools to achieve conservation outcomes, helping them understand what’s available while also helping us continually improve the technology we make.”
“The Vietnamese Government has always identified digital transformation as one of the key factors to modernize the forestry sector and enhance the effectiveness of nature conservation,” said Associate Professor Dr. Trần Quang Bảo, Director General of VNFOREST, MAE. “Holding ACT Con in Vietnam demonstrates our strong commitment to promoting the application of technology in forest management and biodiversity conservation practices. This event also provides an important opportunity for Vietnam and international partners to exchange experiences, share innovative solutions, and strengthen the capacity of frontline conservation forces.”
Facilitated by Save Vietnam’s Wildlife, A Vietnamese conservation NGO engaged in species and habitat protection and community outreach, ACT Con 2025 will host more than 400 delegates. Participants will come from NGOs, protected areas, governments, research institutions, and technology organizations. The organizers place special emphasis on including frontline voices.
To ensure participation from under-resourced frontline organisations, The SMART Partnership, EarthRanger, and Save Vietnam’s Wildlife will cover all congress expenses except travel.
Key features of ACT Con 2025
- Hands-on Training Lab: Small-group sessions on solutions such as SMART, EarthRanger, and open-source analytics platforms.
- Technology Expo & Demos: Live opportunities to test and compare tracking devices, drones, acoustic sensors, dashboards, and integrated systems.
- Data for Decision-Making: Sessions on data collection, visualisation, analytics, and operational dashboards that drive faster responses in the field. Guidance and advice on how to make the most of data collected for management impacts.
- Frontline & Community Voices: Panels led by rangers, protected-area managers, and community representatives to ensure solutions meet real-world needs.
Registration, programme, and delegate information
More details about the programme, registration, and delegate support are available via the ACT Con event page. Plenary sessions will be conducted primarily in English. Vietnamese interpretation will be available for plenary sessions to support local participation. A dedicated event app will facilitate scheduling, networking, and communication for all delegates.
About the organisers
SMART Partnership: SMART is an end-to-end conservation solution, built by and for the conservation community. SMART offers a robust conservation management approach, enabled through a set of software tools and training programs designed to empower conservation practitioners through facilitating enhanced data-driven decision-making to conserve biodiversity. A global collaborative effort accelerating the adoption of the SMART approach to improve patrol efficacy, protect wildlife, and enhance decision-making in protected and conserved areas.
EarthRanger: Developed by Ai2, a nonprofit AI institute based in Seattle, EarthRanger is a no-cost data visualisation and analysis system that gives conservationists the real-time information they need to keep wildlife, habitats, and communities safe. It collects, integrates, and displays remote sensing data and field reports to effectively monitor collared wildlife, rangers, enforcement assets, and infrastructure within protected areas and landscapes. The application of EarthRanger is diverse and varies relative to the primary needs of the area or organization. Among them, the platform is used to monitor vast areas, track and study wildlife, coordinate ranger units, and proactively mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
Save Vietnam’s Wildlife: A Vietnamese conservation NGO engaged in species and habitat protection and community outreach; a local partner supporting ACT Con activities in Hanoi.