Voices from the Sky brings together youth storytelling, conservation education, and practical outreach around technology for nature.

The initiative has two connected parts, outlined below.

1. Youth storytelling anthology

Voices from the Sky is a youth-led e-book of short, hopeful stories imagining how drones, data, and science can help protect wildlife, forests, rivers, and coastlines. Stories are written by young people and illustrated for easy classroom and community use. The focus is on creativity, ethics, and practical thinking around technology for good, not technical instruction.

What will be inside

• Around 20 bite-size stories from youth across Africa and beyond

• Themes including wildlife monitoring, reforestation, marine habitats, disaster response, and community science

• Discussion prompts and activity ideas for teachers, clubs, and youth groups

• Family-friendly, accessible language with big imagination

For educators and youth leaders

The anthology is designed to support a 30–45 minute learning session: read one story, discuss the challenge, sketch a possible drone or data-based solution, and reflect on ethics, safety, and impact. It works well for STEM, geography, ICT, and environmental clubs.

How to contribute

We welcome short stories (150–500 words), poems, or comics from young people aged 8–18. There are no fees to submit. Selected contributions will be included in future editions with full credit.

Get involved

Voices from the Sky welcomes two main ways to get involved:

• Expressions of interest from educators, schools, youth clubs, partners, and supporters who would like to stay involved as the project develops.

• Book proposals and creative submissions from young people aged 8–18, including story ideas, draft stories, poems, comics, characters, or themes for future editions. Educator-led group submissions are also welcome.

All submissions are reviewed, but inclusion is not guaranteed. Voices from the Sky is a non-profit, volunteer-led initiative.

2. Books and outreach at GCTDF 2026

Alongside the youth anthology, Voices from the Sky will also be part of a small, non-profit book presence at the Global Conservation Tech & Drone Forum (GCTDF) 2026 in Kenya. A curated selection of conservation and STEM children’s books will be available at the expo booth, including Voices from the Sky titles and other youth-friendly conservation resources.

Books will be offered at cost or with only minimal margins to support logistics. Any remaining copies will be donated to schools and community partners.

Credits

Curated by Nature Drone Forum.

Thanks to the volunteers, mentors, educators, authors, and partner organisations supporting youth creativity and conservation education.

© Nature Drone Forum. Free for educational use. Please credit when sharing. For commercial use, contact enquiries@naturedrones.org.