
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Proud of our Chief Scientist @MarconiCamposC1 spreading the word on the important work and insights from our RFCx B… https://t.co/panNrt6hYR
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RT @Tykee_James: Great presentation @MarconiCamposC1! Island-wide acoustic sampling and occupancy maps to help create baseline data that wi…
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RT @ProfDavidHart: Looking forward to next week's #5G #climate webinar w @Palakagrw @US_Ignite @RainforestCx @NokiaNAM @jehunter21 featurin…
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RT @dpl_news: #LatamICT22 #LatamICTCongress | @DurkinChrissy, Directora de Expansión Internacional Rainforest Connection @RainforestCx, dij…
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It's SOLD OUT! Our Chief Scientist, Marconi Campos-Cerqueira, will be running sold out workshops, and presenting at… https://t.co/XCw1ZFaeNe
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Are you at LATAM ICT Congress? Don't miss RFCx's Chrissy Durkin discussing the impacts of deforestation, TODAY at 1… https://t.co/GHlGPceL9N
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RT @foxb2b: With the help of data and #Cloud technology, @RainforestCx uses machine learning to protect nature through its bioacoustics pla…
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Attending Collision? Catch the CEO of Rainforest Connection, Bourhan Yassin and @HitachiVantara, TODAY at 15:55 EDT… https://t.co/Gbdx2ap91H
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RT @HUAWEI_TECH4ALL: How much of the world's rainforests have been degraded or destroyed? 🌏🌲 Answer below & stay tuned to learn how technol…
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Happy #WorldRainforestDay! This may be obvious, but this is a big day for us. Today the world is recognizing the im… https://t.co/tAeGFo9n1g
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We're going to LATAM ICT Congress! Hear RFCx's Chrissy Durkin present on deforestation and its impacts on June 23rd… https://t.co/Oyq2kj13PD
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We're going to Collision! Listen to RFCx CEO, Bourhan Yassin with @HitachiVantara, discuss how IoT technology and A… https://t.co/ITvpKBWWNu
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RT @topherwhite: Dip below the canopy in this interactive experience. https://t.co/FDe3OuivAs @ROLEX #PerpetualPlanet @NatGeo @NatGeoExplor…
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RFCx will be there! Can't wait to participate in these important conversations 🙌 https://t.co/OcvU2UHGCd
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RT @AIforClimate: This is done in collaboration with @SDSYucatan, @IUCN, @HuaweiLatam, @UPYucatan and @RainforestCx 💪
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RT @HuaweiItalia: Al summit Huawei #Tech4aBetterPlanet, Marco Galaverni di @WWFItalia ha parlato di come i Guardiani della Natura, installa…
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RT @HitachiVantara: Hear from our own Radhika Krishnan @RKs2cents and @RainforestCx CEO Bourhan Yassin at @CollisionHQ’s Conference to lear…
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We're hiring! Check out our careers page, https://t.co/r4ycQrBdjE, and apply today 💚 #joinourteam… https://t.co/14Yh9BY2bM