Rainforest Connection
Model & Strategy
Rainforest Connection (RFCx) is focused on preventing rainforest deforestation, a leading cause of climate change and species extinction, by providing real-time monitoring and detection of illegal logging activity. RFCx transforms recycled cell-phones into autonomous, solar-powered listening devices that can remotely monitor and detect logging activity. Using this data, RFCx partners with local NGOs and indigenous tribes to deter incursions through more effective patrols or to pressure governments to take action to prevent further incursions. RFCx plans to make this data available to academic researches and government agencies in the hopes of reshaping the fields of field ecology and conservation.
Topher White is Founder and CEO of Rainforest Connection. Topher has experience building systems for large and small startups as well as international science projects, including four years working on nuclear fusion at ITER, in France. He has received multiple accolades for his work, including being named a National Geographic Emerging Explorer in 2015 and an “Engineering Hero” by the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
RFCx directly aids the efforts of local in-country partner organizations, NGOs, indigenous tribes and governments struggling to reduce environmental destruction. RFCx can already claim to be a key element in the protection of thousands of hectares of forest in Latin America and Southeast Asia.
Since 2015, RFCx has developed and deployed specialized conservation technology to empower the Brazilian Tembé indigenous people to protect 60,000 hectares of their native rainforest in Brazil, using real-time data and alerts.
RFCx also uses data streaming from remote forests combined with advanced acoustic algorithm development to measure biodiversity and ecology, creating new and simplified interfaces for scientists to contribute to environmental protection while furthering their own research.
Rainforest Connection News
-
The Guardians of the ForestThe Borneo rainforest is severely threatened by deforestation. In this new video James Reed, a tree climbing expert, collaborates with the Rainforest Connection to place…Sep 2016 -
This Accelerator Is Building An Ecosystem For Climate Change StartupsRainforest Connection transforms recycled cellphones into solar-powered devices that monitor and pinpoint deforestation activity for intervention in real time. While the breakthrough technology has proven…Jun 2016 -
National Georgraphic: 2015 Emerging ExplorersDeforestation, much of it illegal, is one of the main contributors to climate change. Detecting and interdicting illicit loggers in remote areas has always been…Jun 2015 -
Topher White TEDx Talk: What Can Save the Rainforest? Your Used Cell PhoneThe sounds of the rainforest include: the chirps of birds, the buzz of cicadas, the banter of gibbons. But in the background is the almost-always…Sep 2014
-
RT @DavidMcCulloch: A feel good story to (almost) end the year. How @HitachiVantara AI is being applied to help @RainforestCx prevent illeg…
-
Don’t forget! Join our Interactive Pattern Matching Demo + Q&A with RFCx’s Zephyr Gold and Marconi Campos Cerqueira… https://t.co/rNXTCFKs67
-
The future of sustainability will require a collective shift in our mindset and this Thursday, December 10, from 10… https://t.co/5vS6kaaNwp
-
RT @WILDLABSNET: The WILDLABS Tech Tutors are back! Starting next week, we'll be tackling a whole new set of the "how do I do that?" quest…
-
Tune into WildLabs Tech Tutor Talk with Zephyr Gold & Marconi Campos of RFCx on Dec. 17 to hear more about RFCx's A… https://t.co/gRsQ6ipYby
-
This Wednesday, 12/9, RFCx’s Dr. Marconi Campos-Cerqueira will be presenting in II Encuentro Internacional Red Ecol… https://t.co/j9VeuEG7Bm
-
Today is #GivingTuesday! Rainforest Connection has been busy working to develop and deploy solutions to help keep o… https://t.co/m50aAh2juz
-
RFCx is excited to be giving a Tech Tutors session on our Arbimon platform. Join us on December 17th! https://t.co/PRz9fiMooL
-
RFCx is excited to announce our new collaboration with Open Acoustic Devices. RFCx has teamed up to make AudioMoths… https://t.co/V4enmGAxGH
-
RT @kaggle: Do you hear that? 🌧️🍃🐞 Apply your skills to automating the detection of bird and frog species in tropical soundscape recording…
-
Today we launched a #Kaggle competition to create an AI model that detects extremely rare bird 🐦 and frog 🐸species… https://t.co/PZajp95bZ6
-
While COVID-19 limited our ability to travel this year, @RainforestCx is happy to say that we’re back in the field!… https://t.co/VqqAZwggJW
-
We are excited to share a new option for uploading audio into #Arbimon! The RFCx Uploader is kept as simple as poss… https://t.co/mEXjd3CONL
-
RT @HuaweiUSA: We've got a #TechTuesday you're not going to want to miss. Tune in on 11/17 to hear from @topherwhite of @RainforestCx answ…
-
RT @aviceda: Are you interested in eco-acoustics? I'm looking for other potential users of this excellent 'not-for-profit' software to assi…
-
RT @joshhoppie: The app was my go-to during quarantine. Maybe you’ll find it helpful too.
-
RT @joshhoppie: For friends in isolation who crave some connection with the natural world, check out @RainforestCx. They use sensors to com…
-
RT @afke1: Talked about our partnership with the @RainforestCx not to only fight deforestation but also learning more about animal sounds i…
-
RT @WIRESWildlife: Great news! When the smoke cleared in Australia, the frogs could still be heard https://t.co/HkPYqht8Ht via @Anthropocen…
-
RT @ReservaYLT: This little froggy looks familiar...🐸 . @naturescapeart (Insta) designed this amazing artwork, which is available to buy on…