RFCX IN THE NEWS

RFID Journal: Detecting the Sound of Illegal Logging via IoT

In some remote forested regions around the world, Internet of Things (IoT) technology is keeping an ear out for the sounds of heavy equipment, which can be an indication of illegal logging. A solution that leverages solar powered acoustic streaming devices, provided by Rainforest Connection, uses LoRa-based connectivity to send audio to a server. Read about the partnership between Swarm and RFCx, and what this relationship can, and has, accomplished for reducing deforestation.

Wired: Swarms of Satellites Are Tracking Illegal Fishing and Logging

In some of the world’s most inaccessible places, tiny satellites are watching—and listening—for signs of destruction. With a constellation of 160 satellites that allow small packets of data to be sent between devices around the globe, California-based company, SWARM, is creating a worldwide internet of things. In this article from Wired, see how Rainforest Connection utilizes SWARM technologies to track illegal logging and how this advancement in the data collection process has doubled the capabilities of our operations.

Scientific American: AI Can Help Indigenous People Protect Biodiversity

The United Nation’s latest biodiversity report warns that one million species are headed for extinction, including 1,000 wild mammal species and 450 species of sharks and rays. Losing this much wildlife will have massive human consequences because one in five people depend on these species for food and income. Learn about this crisis, its implications, the solutions that exist today, and those that are working to make a difference in this space, including Rainforest Connection.

Travel Agent Central: Ecuador’s Mashpi Lodge Discovers 10th Species for Science in 10 Years

Mashpi Lodge in Ecuador has announced the discovery of a new plant species, making it the 10th species discovery at the eco-lodge in 10 years. Since opening in 2012, the eco-lodge has spent the past decade committed to protecting the 2,882-hectare Mashpi Reserve, home to over 400 bird species and 500 plant species, besides monkeys, peccaries and even puma. See how Rainforest Connection is monitoring and protecting this area, how it’s developed well beyond the purpose of threat detection, and how you can see for yourself if you find yourself at the Mashpi Lodge in the near future!

TechCrunch: Here’s what Swarm has been up to in the 10 months since being acquired by SpaceX

It’s been nearly a year since satellite Internet-of-Things connectivity provider Swarm was acquired by SpaceX, and Swarm co-founder and CEO Sara Spangelo (now senior director of Satellite Engineering at SpaceX) is ready to talk about what Swarm’s been up to in that time. Mostly, it’s been 10 months of rapid acceleration. That rapid acceleration includes work with a recent client, Rainforest Connection, which utilizes Swarm’s IoT network to connect simple acoustic sensors deployed in the Brazilian rainforest. See how the systems are being utilized and how this partnership has propelled RFCx’s aptitude to have an impact on conservation around the globe.

Broadband Breakfast: 5G Will Help Enhance Environment Protection and Sustainability, Conference Hears

Because of its facilitation of real-time monitoring and more efficient use of systems, 5G technology will help tackle climate change and beef up environmental sustainability, an Information Technology and Innovation Foundation event heard Tuesday. 5G technology’s ubiquitous connectivity and lower latency enables climate technology that decarbonizes manufacturing plants, enables rainforest monitoring, and limits greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. See how Rainforest Connection is utilizing 5G and how it can help us achieve the mission of mitigating climate change effects.

La Prensa Latina Bilingual Media: Huawei offers its technology to green NGOs

Huawei has offered its technology to non-governmental organizations with around 14 research projects related to environmental conservation in 10 countries, according to executives of the telecommunications giant. All coming together at the LATAM ICT Congress 2022, Rainforest Connection’s Director of International Expansion, Chrissy Durkin, spoke on the dire need for action in the conservation space. With the impacts of habitat destruction on plant and animal populations being more negative than ever, and the detrimental effects of shrinking rainforest cover on the atmosphere, this is a worldwide issue that needs addressing now.

Peninsula 360 Press: Forest connectivity-Why are trees making phone calls?

One visit to the forests of Borneo was enough for San Francisco software engineer Topher White to decide he had to attach cell phones to trees in forests and jungles to stop illegal deforestation. This is how Rainforest Connection was born, an organization founded in 2014 to prevent illegal deforestation, stop animal poaching and carry out bioacoustic control of forests and jungles. This organization that began using obsolete cell phones now has state-of-the-art technology since they use a more sophisticated system that is capable of covering 3km per device called “Guardian System”. Read on to see how we do it!

Pesquisa FAPESP: The machines that make biology a science of large numbers

DNA sequencers, recorders, drones and other devices of increasing use allow immense savings in time and impose a methodological twist

Based on this approach, called acoustic landscape, Cerqueira and colleagues at Utah State University in the United States assembled 92,283 minutes of sound recordings from 143 open areas and wetland or upland forests, representing six natural environments and two modified by human action, of a national park in Roraima.

HPE: HPE OEM joins Rainforest Connection & Evertreen to leverage Social Responsibility Program

HPE OEM Solutions Social Responsibility Program is a year-long social responsibility initiative where they aim to raise awareness and engage their internal community to deliver on various social topics. During first quarter 2022 they kicked off their program with a focus on combating deforestation and supporting habitat protection, partnering with Rainforest Connection to make the ultimate impact.