Leading Conservation Scientist to Showcase How Mapping Technology Revolutionizes Chimpanzee Protection at Major Geospatial Conference

A pioneering conservation scientist who has spent over 25 years protecting chimpanzees across Africa will demonstrate how cutting-edge mapping technologies are transforming wildlife conservation efforts at Geo Week 2026, taking place February 16-18 in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Lilian Pintea, Vice President of Conservation Science at the Jane Goodall Institute, will deliver the keynote presentation "Mapping Technologies Accelerating Conservation," highlighting how satellite imagery, GPS systems, lidar technology, and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing the way researchers study and protect chimpanzee populations and their rapidly shrinking habitats. Pintea's groundbreaking work combines advanced geospatial tools with community-centered conservation approaches, enabling researchers to create detailed three-dimensional maps of chimpanzee habitats, track forest changes over time, and integrate acoustic monitoring with behavioral and environmental data in unprecedented ways. These technological innovations are proving crucial as chimpanzee populations face mounting pressures from deforestation, climate change, and human encroachment across their African range. The presentation will emphasize how modern conservation technology must serve both wildlife and the local communities who share these ecosystems. By making sophisticated mapping tools more accessible and transparent, conservationists can empower communities with the data and resources needed to make informed decisions about sustainable land use, ultimately creating more effective and equitable conservation outcomes for both chimpanzees and the people who live alongside them.