Curious about what may be causing deforestation alerts? Check out the new <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map/?map=eyJkYXRhc2V0cyI6W3siZGF0YXNldCI6ImRyaXZlcnMtb2YtZGVmb3Jlc3RhdGlvbi1hbGVydCIsIm9wYWNpdHkiOjEsInZpc2liaWxpdHkiOnRydWUsImxheWVycyI6WyJkcml2ZXJzLW9mLWRlZm9yZXN0YXRpb24tYWxlcnQiXX0seyJkYXRhc2V0IjoicG9saXRpY2FsLWJvdW5kYXJpZXMiLCJsYXllcnMiOlsiZGlzcHV0ZWQtcG9saXRpY2FsLWJvdW5kYXJpZXMiLCJwb2xpdGljYWwtYm91bmRhcmllcyJdLCJvcGFjaXR5IjoxLCJ2aXNpYmlsaXR5Ijp0cnVlfV19">&#8220;Drivers of deforestation alerts&#8221; layer on the map</a>, which offers classification of drivers for three alert types (GLAD-L, GLAD-S2, RADD) at 10m resolution.

New drivers of deforestation alerts now available!

Built on trusted data from GFW and Land &#038; Carbon Lab, Global Nature Watch is a new open, AI-powered monitoring system turning the latest data into intelligence to understand Earth’s landscapes. <a href="https://www.globalnaturewatch.org/?utm_medium=referral&#038;utm_source=gfwnoticeboard&#038;utm_campaign=gnw2025">Sign in</a> to Global Nature Watch or <a href="https://forms.office.com/r/jmFh27TUUz">Join the Waitlist</a> to Gain Access.

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Users In Action

Hear stories from the forest defenders working in the field.

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This year, we welcome the 10th cohort of Small Grants Fund grantees — learn more about the important work they are embarking on in 2025-2026.

Meet the 2025-2026 GFW Small Grants Fund Recipients

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Women are Leading the Way to Protect Some of the World’s Most Important Forests

Las mujeres lideran el camino para proteger algunos de los bosques más importantes del mundo

Para Wanita Memimpin Upaya Perlindungan Hutan-Hutan Terpenting Di Dunia

Les femmes montrent la voie de la protection de certaines des forêts les plus importantes au monde

This blog spotlights stories of women leaders using GFW tools and data to protecting some of the world’s most important forests.

Women are Protecting Some of the World’s Most Important Forests

Inge Snip

A decade ago, the launch of Global Forest Watch (GFW) ushered in a new era of accountability and transparency around monitoring and protecting the world’s forests. To celebrate 10 years of impact, our Voices of Global Forest Watch series will highlight successes of GFW users, partners and community members throughout the year. We invite you to read, watch and share the stories of exceptional leaders in forest monitoring who have played a pivotal role in protecting forests everywhere.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<iframe loading="lazy" width="560" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U9q_I9KHLzU?si=KZVxl0wS0mpzEMi5" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>







“Forests are important as they play several roles. I consider forests to be the factor that allows us to stay alive.”&nbsp;– Serge Bondo Kayembe, Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière



Serge Bondo Kayembe, born in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), developed a passion for forest conservation at a young age. Growing up, he worked alongside his family in a forested area, where he became deeply aware of the importance of protecting these vital ecosystems.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Protecting forests is not only beneficial for us living in forests and around forests,” said Serge, “but also for others beyond our countries where wood is produced, where logging is done in tropical areas.”&nbsp;



Serge works with the Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière (OGF), a nonprofit working to protect DRC’s forests through resource monitoring, legislation and governance oversight using tools like GFW to detect and report illegal activities, which are further investigated in field missions. This monitoring is essential to ensure that forest laws are respected and that forests are protected.&nbsp;



Serge is proud of the work OGF has achieved so far,&nbsp;including receiving&nbsp;government support through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that enables OGF to act as an independent third party monitoring government forest-related activities. Thanks to this MoU, OGF’s work has gained acceptance from DRC’s Ministry of Forestry. This collaboration and tools like GFW have enabled OGF to&nbsp;secure&nbsp;more responsible and transparent management of forest resources by making information on forest exploitation accessible and governance processes clear and open. In a major achievement, this independent monitoring has led to proposed alternatives to protect critical areas.&nbsp;&nbsp;



For example, a DRC provincial government gathered key stakeholders to develop strategies for protecting the Luki Biosphere Reserve, a protected area in Central Congo Province. The area faces significant threats of deforestation due to charcoal production, agriculture and illegal logging, both from forestry companies and from local communities.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18043" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-1.jpg 1200w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: OGF</figcaption></figure>



OGF used GFW’s deforestation alerts to identify the different causes of deforested activities, and used this information to prepare proposals for alternative activities that allow communities to sustainably meet their economic needs without causing deforestation and biodiversity loss in the reserve. This led to meetings between authorities and local stakeholders to develop strategies for protecting the reserve, introduce alternative economic activities for local communities and strengthen monitoring measures.&nbsp;



OGF actively involves local communities in this kind of work by raising awareness of the negative impacts of deforestation and providing trainings on how to protect natural resources. Through these trainings, OGF supported communities to monitor forests and report any suspicious activity. This participatory approach has strengthened the role of communities in conserving the reserve, making them more vigilant and proactive in protecting their environment.&nbsp;



In 2023 and 2024, with support from GFW’s Small Grants Fund (SGF), OGF worked on building the skills of a network of independent forest monitors, which currently consists of 25 organizations, to improve environmental monitoring and make conservation initiatives in the reserve more sustainable. OGF organized training courses for local forest monitors, government officials in charge of forest control and other civil society actors, resulting in more sustainable and participatory forest management.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1536" height="2048" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-2-1536x2048.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18044" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-2-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-2-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-2-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-2-scaled.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: OGF</figcaption></figure>



“These tools allow us to access documentation, i.e. all logging titles, cutting permits, concession contracts,” Serge said, explaining how they use WRI’s Open Timber Portal and Forest Atlas for planning, while GFW’s near-real-time deforestation alerts are crucial for execution, helping forest monitors in the field identify and investigate the causes, such as bushfires or large-scale logging.&nbsp;&nbsp;



These tools also provide detailed, reliable, publicly available evidence that they can submit to authorities. This information has helped authorities to better understand the scale of the problem and take appropriate action.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1536" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/OGF-3-2048x1536.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18069" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/OGF-3-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/OGF-3-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/OGF-3-768x576.jpg 768w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/OGF-3-1536x1152.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: OGF</figcaption></figure>



In the Luki region, use of deforestation alerts has contributed to rapid detection and response to illegal activities, leading to a positive impact to protect forests and biodiversity. As a result, OGF has been able to not only improve monitoring and documentation of illegal activities, but fostered collaborations with local authorities for better law enforcement.&nbsp;



In addition to their work in Luki, OGF has made significant impacts in other regions. They contributed to a significant reduction in deforestation in several critical areas of the DRC through collaborations with various NGOs and the government. They have worked to ensure that local communities in many areas of the DRC have access to equitable benefits from forest resources, including the creation of social infrastructure. And their efforts have led to important legislative reforms aimed at strengthening forest protection and improving governance of natural resources.&nbsp;



The challenges for protecting DRC’s critical forests remain significant, and Serge recognizes that he, OGF, and the communities they work with have a long way to go in this ongoing fight for forest conservation and the rights of forest communities.&nbsp;



“At the beginning of my career, I thought it was going to be easy. But over the years, I’ve been doing this job for 12 years, I feel like I just started.”&nbsp;



<a href="https://ogfrdc.cd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn more about OGF here.</a>



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Video filmed at the Land & Carbon Lab Summit in June 2023.

 

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Voices of Global Forest Watch: Serge Bondo Kayembe, Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière

A decade ago, the launch of Global Forest Watch (GFW) ushered in a new era of accountability and transparency around monitoring and protecting the world’s forests. To celebrate 10 years of impact, our Voices of Global Forest Watch series will highlight successes of GFW users, partners and community members throughout the year. We invite you to read, watch and share the stories of exceptional leaders in forest monitoring who have played a pivotal role in protecting forests everywhere.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<iframe width="560" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U9q_I9KHLzU?si=KZVxl0wS0mpzEMi5" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>







“Forests are important as they play several roles. I consider forests to be the factor that allows us to stay alive.”&nbsp;- Serge Bondo Kayembe, Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière



Serge Bondo Kayembe, born in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), developed a passion for forest conservation at a young age. Growing up, he worked alongside his family in a forested area, where he became deeply aware of the importance of protecting these vital ecosystems.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Protecting forests is not only beneficial for us living in forests and around forests,” said Serge, “but also for others beyond our countries where wood is produced, where logging is done in tropical areas.”&nbsp;



Serge works with the Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière (OGF), a nonprofit working to protect DRC’s forests through resource monitoring, legislation and governance oversight using tools like GFW to detect and report illegal activities, which are further investigated in field missions. This monitoring is essential to ensure that forest laws are respected and that forests are protected.&nbsp;



Serge is proud of the work OGF has achieved so far,&nbsp;including receiving&nbsp;government support through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that enables OGF to act as an independent third party monitoring government forest-related activities. Thanks to this MoU, OGF’s work has gained acceptance from DRC's Ministry of Forestry. This collaboration and tools like GFW have enabled OGF to&nbsp;secure&nbsp;more responsible and transparent management of forest resources by making information on forest exploitation accessible and governance processes clear and open. In a major achievement, this independent monitoring has led to proposed alternatives to protect critical areas.&nbsp;&nbsp;



For example, a DRC provincial government gathered key stakeholders to develop strategies for protecting the Luki Biosphere Reserve, a protected area in Central Congo Province. The area faces significant threats of deforestation due to charcoal production, agriculture and illegal logging, both from forestry companies and from local communities.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18043"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: OGF</figcaption></figure>



OGF used GFW’s deforestation alerts to identify the different causes of deforested activities, and used this information to prepare proposals for alternative activities that allow communities to sustainably meet their economic needs without causing deforestation and biodiversity loss in the reserve. This led to meetings between authorities and local stakeholders to develop strategies for protecting the reserve, introduce alternative economic activities for local communities and strengthen monitoring measures.&nbsp;



OGF actively involves local communities in this kind of work by raising awareness of the negative impacts of deforestation and providing trainings on how to protect natural resources. Through these trainings, OGF supported communities to monitor forests and report any suspicious activity. This participatory approach has strengthened the role of communities in conserving the reserve, making them more vigilant and proactive in protecting their environment.&nbsp;



In 2023 and 2024, with support from GFW’s Small Grants Fund (SGF), OGF worked on building the skills of a network of independent forest monitors, which currently consists of 25 organizations, to improve environmental monitoring and make conservation initiatives in the reserve more sustainable. OGF organized training courses for local forest monitors, government officials in charge of forest control and other civil society actors, resulting in more sustainable and participatory forest management.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-2-1536x2048.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18044"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: OGF</figcaption></figure>



“These tools allow us to access documentation, i.e. all logging titles, cutting permits, concession contracts,” Serge said, explaining how they use WRI’s Open Timber Portal and Forest Atlas for planning, while GFW’s near-real-time deforestation alerts are crucial for execution, helping forest monitors in the field identify and investigate the causes, such as bushfires or large-scale logging.&nbsp;&nbsp;



These tools also provide detailed, reliable, publicly available evidence that they can submit to authorities. This information has helped authorities to better understand the scale of the problem and take appropriate action.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/OGF-3-2048x1536.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18069"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: OGF</figcaption></figure>



In the Luki region, use of deforestation alerts has contributed to rapid detection and response to illegal activities, leading to a positive impact to protect forests and biodiversity. As a result, OGF has been able to not only improve monitoring and documentation of illegal activities, but fostered collaborations with local authorities for better law enforcement.&nbsp;



In addition to their work in Luki, OGF has made significant impacts in other regions. They contributed to a significant reduction in deforestation in several critical areas of the DRC through collaborations with various NGOs and the government. They have worked to ensure that local communities in many areas of the DRC have access to equitable benefits from forest resources, including the creation of social infrastructure. And their efforts have led to important legislative reforms aimed at strengthening forest protection and improving governance of natural resources.&nbsp;



The challenges for protecting DRC’s critical forests remain significant, and Serge recognizes that he, OGF, and the communities they work with have a long way to go in this ongoing fight for forest conservation and the rights of forest communities.&nbsp;



“At the beginning of my career, I thought it was going to be easy. But over the years, I’ve been doing this job for 12 years, I feel like I just started.”&nbsp;



<a href="https://ogfrdc.cd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn more about OGF here.</a>



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Video filmed at the Land & Carbon Lab Summit in June 2023.

 

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Il y a dix ans, le lancement de Global Forest Watch (GFW) a marqué le début d'une nouvelle ère de responsabilité et de transparence en ce qui concerne la surveillance et la protection des forêts du monde. Pour célébrer ces dix années d'impact, notre série Voix of Global Forest Watch mettra en lumière les réussites des utilisateurs, des partenaires et des membres de la communauté de GFW tout au long de l'année. Nous vous invitons à lire, regarder et partager les histoires de leaders exceptionnels dans le domaine de la surveillance des forêts qui ont joué un rôle essentiel dans la protection des forêts partout dans le monde.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<iframe width="560" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U9q_I9KHLzU?si=KZVxl0wS0mpzEMi5" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>







« Les forêts sont importantes car elles jouent plusieurs rôles. Je considère que les forêts sont le facteur qui nous permet de rester vivant. »  - Serge Bondo Kayembe, Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière 



Serge Bondo, né à Kinshasa, en République démocratique du Congo (RDC), s'est passionné dès son plus jeune âge pour la conservation des forêts. En grandissant, il a travaillé avec sa famille dans une zone forestière, où il a pris profondément conscience de l'importance de la protection de ces écosystèmes vitaux.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;



« La protection des forêts n'est pas seulement bénéfique pour nous qui vivons dans les forêts et autour des forêts », a déclaré Serge. « Mais aussi pour d'autres, au-delà de nos pays, où le bois est produit, où l'exploitation forestière se fait dans les zones tropicales. »&nbsp;&nbsp;



Serge travaille avec l'Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière (OGF), une organisation à but non lucratif qui s'efforce de protéger les forêts de la RDC en surveillant les ressources, la législation et la gouvernance à l'aide d'outils tels que le GFW pour détecter et signaler les activités illégales, qui sont ensuite examinées plus en détail dans le cadre de missions sur le terrain. Cette surveillance est essentielle pour garantir le respect des lois forestières et la protection des forêts.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Serge est fier du travail accompli par l'OGF jusqu'à présent, notamment en recevant le soutien du gouvernement par le biais d'un protocole d'accord qui permet à l'OGF d'agir en tant que tierce partie indépendante chargée de surveiller les activités forestières du gouvernement. Grâce à ce protocole d'accord, le travail d'OGF a gagné l'acceptation du ministère des forêts de la RDC. Cette collaboration et des outils tels que le GFW ont permis à OGF de garantir une gestion plus responsable et plus transparente des ressources forestières en rendant les informations sur l'exploitation forestière accessibles et les processus de gouvernance clairs et ouverts. Une réalisation majeure est que ce suivi indépendant a permis de proposer des alternatives pour protéger les zones vulnérables.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;



Par exemple, un gouvernement provincial de la RDC a réuni les principales parties prenantes pour élaborer des stratégies de protection de la réserve de biosphère de Luki, une zone protégée dans la province du Congo central. Cette zone est fortement menacée par la déforestation due à la production de charbon de bois, à l'agriculture et à l'exploitation forestière illégale, tant par les entreprises forestières que par les communautés locales.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18043"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: OGF</figcaption></figure>



OGF a utilisé les alertes de déforestation de GFW pour identifier les différentes causes des activités de déforestation, et a utilisé ces informations pour préparer des propositions d'activités alternatives qui permettent aux communautés de répondre durablement à leurs besoins économiques sans causer de déforestation et de perte de biodiversité dans la réserve. Cette démarche a mené à des réunions entre les autorités et les parties prenantes locales afin d'élaborer des stratégies de protection de la réserve, d'introduire des activités économiques alternatives pour les communautés locales et de renforcer les mesures de surveillance. &nbsp;



OGF implique activement les communautés locales dans ce type de travail en les sensibilisant aux effets négatifs de la déforestation et en leur proposant des formations sur la manière de protéger les ressources naturelles. Par ces formations, OGF a soutenu les communautés à surveiller les forêts et à signaler toute activité suspecte. Cette approche participative a renforcé le rôle des communautés dans la conservation de la réserve, les rendant plus vigilantes et proactives dans la protection de leur environnement. &nbsp;



En 2023 et 2024, avec le soutien du Fonds de petites subventions de GFW, OGF a travaillé sur le renforcement des compétences d'un réseau d'observateurs forestiers indépendants, qui comprend actuellement 25 organisations, afin d'améliorer la surveillance de l'environnement et de rendre les initiatives de conservation dans la réserve plus durables. OGF a organisé des formations pour les observateurs forestiers locaux, les fonctionnaires chargés du contrôle des forêts et d'autres acteurs de la société civile, ce qui a permis une gestion plus durable et plus participative des forêts.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/OGF-2-1536x2048.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18044"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: OGF</figcaption></figure>



« Ces outils nous permettent d'accéder à la documentation, c'est-à-dire à tous les titres d'exploitation forestière, aux permis de coupe et aux contrats de concession », explique Serge, qui précise qu'ils utilisent le portail Open Timber et Forest Atlas de WRI pour la planification, tandis que les alertes de déforestation en temps quasi réel de GFW sont cruciales pour l'exécution, aidant les surveillants forestiers sur le terrain à identifier et à enquêter sur les causes, telles que les feux de brousse ou l'exploitation forestière à grande échelle.&nbsp; &nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/OGF-3-2048x1536.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-18069"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: OGF</figcaption></figure>



Ces outils fournissent également des preuves détaillées, fiables et accessibles au public qu'ils peuvent soumettre aux autorités. Ces informations ont aidé les autorités à mieux comprendre l'ampleur du problème et à prendre les mesures appropriées.&nbsp; &nbsp;



Dans la région de Luki, l'utilisation des alertes à la déforestation a contribué à la détection et à la réponse rapides aux activités illégales, ce qui a eu un impact positif sur la protection des forêts et de la biodiversité. En conséquence, OGF a pu non seulement améliorer la surveillance et la documentation des activités illégales, mais aussi favoriser la collaboration avec les autorités locales pour une meilleure application de la loi. &nbsp;



En plus de son travail à Luki, OGF a eu un impact significatif dans d'autres régions. Elle a contribué à une réduction significative de la déforestation dans plusieurs zones critiques de la RDC grâce à des collaborations avec diverses ONG et le gouvernement. Elle a veillé à ce que les communautés locales dans de nombreuses régions de la RDC aient accès à des bénéfices équitables des ressources forestières, y compris la création d'infrastructures sociales. Leurs efforts ont conduit à d'importantes réformes législatives visant à renforcer la protection des forêts et à améliorer la gouvernance des ressources naturelles. &nbsp;



Les défis pour la protection des forêts critiques de la RDC restent considérables, et Serge reconnaît que lui-même, OGF et les communautés avec lesquelles ils travaillent ont un long chemin à parcourir dans cette lutte continuelle pour la conservation des forêts et les droits des communautés forestières. &nbsp;



« Au début de ma carrière, je pensais que ce serait facile. Mais au fil des ans, cela fait 12 ans que je fais ce métier, j'ai l'impression que je viens de commencer. » &nbsp;



<a href="https://ogfrdc.cd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pour en savoir plus sur l'OGF, cliquez ici.</a>



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Video filmed at the Land & Carbon Lab Summit in June 2023.

 

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Voix de Global Forest Watch : Serge Bondo, Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière  

As part of our Voices of Global Forest Watch series, learn about Serge Bondo Kayembe's work with Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière.

Voices of GFW: Serge Bondo, Observatoire de la Gouvernance Forestière

Small Grants, Big Impact: Meet the 2024 Recipients Driving Change with Global Forest Watch

Learn about 11 organizations in 10 countries who will tailor GFW tools and data to confront deforestation within their forests.

Meet the 2024 GFW Small Grants Fund Recipients | GFW Blog

Brazil

Brazil | Global Forest Watch Blog

Indigenous Peoples &amp; Local Communities

Indigenous Peoples &amp; Local Communities | Global Forest Watch Blog

A decade ago, the launch of Global Forest Watch (GFW) ushered in a new era of accountability and transparency around monitoring and protecting the world’s forests. To celebrate 10 years of impact, our Voices of Global Forest Watch series will highlight successes of GFW users, partners and community members throughout the year. We invite you to read, watch and share the stories of exceptional leaders in forest monitoring who have played a pivotal role in protecting forests everywhere.



<iframe loading="lazy" width="560" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IipacbHyMGU?si=O7qrSPWsK16t1gcT" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>







“Forest, for me, is life. Forest is water, it’s land, it’s people.” – Vinicius Silgueiro, Territorial Intelligence Coordinator, Instituto Centro de Vida



Vinicius Silgueiro’s story begins with a deep-seated connection to the Brazilian Amazon, inspiring his efforts to protect it through his work at the <a href="https://www.icv.org.br/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instituto Centro de Vida (ICV)</a>, a nonprofit organization that focuses on sustainable land use and preserving natural resources in the state of Mato Grosso in Brazil, which is known for its rich biodiversity.



“I was born and grew up in an environment with a diversity of vegetation between the Cerrado and the Pantanal biomes, and then I lived in the Amazon. Having a forest is having life,” said Vinicius, who has been working at ICV since he was an intern 14 years ago.



ICV uses GFW’s extensive satellite imagery and deforestation alert capabilities in its environmental protection work.



As a <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/grants-and-fellowships/projects/">Small Grants Fund (SGF)</a> recipient from 2020-2022, ICV helped expand GFW’s use within the Mato Grosso Public Prosecutor’s Office to hold landholders accountable for environmental crimes. ICV trained the prosecutor’s technicians on how to use GFW tools and data to fight illegal deforestation and fires, and helped develop a methodology and process for prosecutors and technical staff to identify and act on illegal deforestation alerts.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1536" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2018_Oficina_mapeamento_castanhais_2-2048x1536.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17484" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2018_Oficina_mapeamento_castanhais_2-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2018_Oficina_mapeamento_castanhais_2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2018_Oficina_mapeamento_castanhais_2-768x576.jpg 768w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2018_Oficina_mapeamento_castanhais_2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: ICV</figcaption></figure>



ICV also developed a series of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw4SshvYITQ&list=PLH0XsN2wGrLATqJesckApo9S9OHd-1r94">tutorial videos</a> to help prosecutors, technicians, consultants, researchers, academics and others monitor changes in land cover caused by fires and deforestation using GFW.



“We have noticed an increase in environmental inspection efforts both by the public prosecutor’s office and the State Secretariat of the Environment to carry out field inspections and investigate environmental damages and infractions,” said Vinicius.



ICV’s work set a precedent for integrating remote sensing technology in environmental conservation efforts across Mato Grosso. Vinicius believes that involving communities such as Indigenous Peoples in these efforts is crucial for sustainability.



“An essential part of this work is people’s sense of ability [to use forest monitoring tools],” said Vinicius, explaining how ICV has fostered a community-based approach to environmental monitoring, equipping individuals with the tools to gather and report data on forest crimes. “We have more than 40 Indigenous Peoples in [Mato Grosso] today who have the potential to use monitoring tools to monitor their territories and protect them directly.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1371" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2015_mapeamento_participativo_babacuais_2-2048x1371.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17486" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2015_mapeamento_participativo_babacuais_2-2048x1371.jpg 2048w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2015_mapeamento_participativo_babacuais_2-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2015_mapeamento_participativo_babacuais_2-768x514.jpg 768w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2015_mapeamento_participativo_babacuais_2-1536x1028.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: ICV</figcaption></figure>



These activities have enabled prosecutors, technicians and the State Secretariat for the Environment to assemble detailed evidence, including geotagged photos and GPS coordinates of illegal activities, which are instrumental in pinpointing and addressing deforestation hotspots. The data collected has significantly enhanced legal enforcement and conservation efforts.



Since 2020, ICV has expanded its use of GFW tools beyond the Amazon to monitor other critical biomes. A <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/environmental-conservation/article/abs/public-prosecutors-offices-experience-using-global-forest-watch-to-monitor-and-deter-deforestation-in-the-cerrado/767687C40EF80993741FB500D52196DB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recently published scientific article</a> addresses the experience and results with the use of GFW by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Mato Grosso to monitor and deter deforestation in the Cerrado biome.



“Biomes such as the Pantanal and the Cerrado do not often have as much visibility as the Amazon, but they are very important to climate and hydrological balance, and house enormous biodiversity,” said Vinicius, explaining that Mato Grosso includes areas of three of Brazil’s six biomes. “A state with all this natural wealth, with a diversity of Indigenous Peoples and traditional communities, as well as a leader in agricultural and livestock productivity, presents itself as an excellent laboratory for finding the sustainability solutions our planet needs.”



<a href="https://www.icv.org.br/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn more about Instituto Centro de Vida here.</a>



You can also follow Instituto Centro de Vida’s work to protect and restore forest landscapes on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/InstitutoCentrodeVida/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/instituto-centro-de-vida/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/institutocentrodevida/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/icvcentrodevida" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter (X)</a>.



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Video filmed at the Land & Carbon Lab Summit in June 2023.

 

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Voices of Global Forest Watch: Vinicius Silgueiro, Instituto Centro de Vida

A decade ago, the launch of Global Forest Watch (GFW) ushered in a new era of accountability and transparency around monitoring and protecting the world’s forests. To celebrate 10 years of impact, our Voices of Global Forest Watch series will highlight successes of GFW users, partners and community members throughout the year. We invite you to read, watch and share the stories of exceptional leaders in forest monitoring who have played a pivotal role in protecting forests everywhere.



<iframe width="560" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IipacbHyMGU?si=O7qrSPWsK16t1gcT" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>







“Forest, for me, is life. Forest is water, it's land, it's people.” - Vinicius Silgueiro, Territorial Intelligence Coordinator, Instituto Centro de Vida



Vinicius Silgueiro's story begins with a deep-seated connection to the Brazilian Amazon, inspiring his efforts to protect it through his work at the <a href="https://www.icv.org.br/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instituto Centro de Vida (ICV)</a>, a nonprofit organization that focuses on sustainable land use and preserving natural resources in the state of Mato Grosso in Brazil, which is known for its rich biodiversity.



“I was born and grew up in an environment with a diversity of vegetation between the Cerrado and the Pantanal biomes, and then I lived in the Amazon. Having a forest is having life,” said Vinicius, who has been working at ICV since he was an intern 14 years ago.



ICV uses GFW’s extensive satellite imagery and deforestation alert capabilities in its environmental protection work.



As a <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/grants-and-fellowships/projects/">Small Grants Fund (SGF)</a> recipient from 2020-2022, ICV helped expand GFW’s use within the Mato Grosso Public Prosecutor’s Office to hold landholders accountable for environmental crimes. ICV trained the prosecutor’s technicians on how to use GFW tools and data to fight illegal deforestation and fires, and helped develop a methodology and process for prosecutors and technical staff to identify and act on illegal deforestation alerts.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2018_Oficina_mapeamento_castanhais_2-2048x1536.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17484"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: ICV</figcaption></figure>



ICV also developed a series of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw4SshvYITQ&amp;list=PLH0XsN2wGrLATqJesckApo9S9OHd-1r94">tutorial videos</a> to help prosecutors, technicians, consultants, researchers, academics and others monitor changes in land cover caused by fires and deforestation using GFW.



“We have noticed an increase in environmental inspection efforts both by the public prosecutor’s office and the State Secretariat of the Environment to carry out field inspections and investigate environmental damages and infractions,” said Vinicius.



ICV’s work set a precedent for integrating remote sensing technology in environmental conservation efforts across Mato Grosso. Vinicius believes that involving communities such as Indigenous Peoples in these efforts is crucial for sustainability.



"An essential part of this work is people’s sense of ability [to use forest monitoring tools]," said Vinicius, explaining how ICV has fostered a community-based approach to environmental monitoring, equipping individuals with the tools to gather and report data on forest crimes. “We have more than 40 Indigenous Peoples in [Mato Grosso] today who have the potential to use monitoring tools to monitor their territories and protect them directly.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2015_mapeamento_participativo_babacuais_2-2048x1371.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17486"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: ICV</figcaption></figure>



These activities have enabled prosecutors, technicians and the State Secretariat for the Environment to assemble detailed evidence, including geotagged photos and GPS coordinates of illegal activities, which are instrumental in pinpointing and addressing deforestation hotspots. The data collected has significantly enhanced legal enforcement and conservation efforts.



Since 2020, ICV has expanded its use of GFW tools beyond the Amazon to monitor other critical biomes. A <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/environmental-conservation/article/abs/public-prosecutors-offices-experience-using-global-forest-watch-to-monitor-and-deter-deforestation-in-the-cerrado/767687C40EF80993741FB500D52196DB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recently published scientific article</a> addresses the experience and results with the use of GFW by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Mato Grosso to monitor and deter deforestation in the Cerrado biome.



“Biomes such as the Pantanal and the Cerrado do not often have as much visibility as the Amazon, but they are very important to climate and hydrological balance, and house enormous biodiversity,” said Vinicius, explaining that Mato Grosso includes areas of three of Brazil’s six biomes. “A state with all this natural wealth, with a diversity of Indigenous Peoples and traditional communities, as well as a leader in agricultural and livestock productivity, presents itself as an excellent laboratory for finding the sustainability solutions our planet needs.”



<a href="https://www.icv.org.br/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn more about Instituto Centro de Vida here.</a>



You can also follow Instituto Centro de Vida’s work to protect and restore forest landscapes on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/InstitutoCentrodeVida/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/instituto-centro-de-vida/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/institutocentrodevida/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/icvcentrodevida" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter (X)</a>.



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Video filmed at the Land & Carbon Lab Summit in June 2023.

 

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Há uma década, o lançamento do Global Forest Watch (GFW) inaugurou uma nova era de responsabilização e transparência sobre o monitoramento e proteção das florestas globais. Para celebrar esses 10 anos de impacto, nossa série Voices of Global Forest Watch destacará os casos de sucessos dos usuários, parceiros e membros da comunidade do GFW ao longo do ano. Nós convidamos você a ler, ver e compartilhar as histórias de líderes excepcionais no monitoramento que desempenharam um papel fundamental na proteção das florestas em todo o mundo.



<iframe width="560" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IipacbHyMGU?si=O7qrSPWsK16t1gcT" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>







“Floresta, para mim, é vida. Floresta é água, é terra, são as pessoas.” - Vinicius Silgueiro, Coordenador de Inteligência Territorial, Instituto Centro de Vida



A história de Vinicius Silgueiro começa com uma conexão profunda com a Amazônia brasileira, inspirando seus esforços para protegê-la por meio de seu trabalho no <a href="https://www.icv.org.br/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instituto Centro de Vida (ICV)</a>, uma organização sem fins lucrativos que se concentra no uso sustentável da terra e na preservação dos recursos naturais no estado de Mato Grosso, que é conhecido por sua rica biodiversidade.



“Nasci e cresci em um ambiente com uma diversidade de vegetação entre os biomas Cerrado e Pantanal, e depois vim morar na Amazônia. Ter floresta é ter vida”, disse Vinicius, que trabalha no ICV desde que era estagiário, há 14 anos.



O ICV utiliza as extensas imagens de satélite e capacidades de alerta de desmatamento do GFW em seu trabalho de proteção ambiental.



Como beneficiário do <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/grants-and-fellowships/projects/">Small Grants Fund (SGF)</a> de 2020 a 2022, o ICV ajudou a expandir o uso do GFW no Ministério Público de Mato Grosso para responsabilizar os proprietários de terras por crimes ambientais. O ICV treinoutécnicos do Ministério Público sobre como usar as ferramentas e dados do GFW para combater o desmatamento ilegal e os incêndios, e ajudou a desenvolver uma metodologia e um processo para que os promotores e a equipe técnica identifiquem e ajam em caso de alertas de desmatamento ilegal.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2018_Oficina_mapeamento_castanhais_2-1-2048x1536.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17488"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: ICV</figcaption></figure>



O ICV também desenvolveu uma série de vídeos tutoriais para ajudar promotores, técnicos, consultores, pesquisadores, acadêmicos e outros a monitorar as mudanças na cobertura da terra causadas por incêndios e desmatamento, usando o GFW.



“Percebemos um aumento nos esforços de fiscalização ambiental, tanto do Ministério Público quanto da Secretaria de Estado do Meio Ambiente, para realizar fiscalizações em campo e apurar danos e infrações ambientais”, disse Vinicius.



O trabalho do ICV abriu um precedente para a integração da tecnologia de sensoriamento remoto nos esforços de conservação ambiental em Mato Grosso. Vinicius acredita que envolver comunidades como os Povos Indígenas nesses esforços é crucial para a sustentabilidade.



“Uma parte essencial deste trabalho é o sentido de capacidade das pessoas [para usar ferramentas de monitoramento]”, disse Vinicius, explicando como o ICV promoveu uma abordagem comunitária para o monitoramento ambiental, equipando os indivíduos com as ferramentas para recolher e reportar dados sobre crimes contra a floresta. “Temos hoje mais de 40 Povos Indígenas em [Mato Grosso] que têm o potencial para usar ferramentas de monitoramento para monitorar seus territórios e protegê-los diretamente.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2015_mapeamento_participativo_babacuais_2-1-2048x1371.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-17490"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: ICV</figcaption></figure>



Estas atividades permitiram que promotores, técnicos e a Secretaria de Estado do Meio Ambiente reunissem evidências detalhadas, incluindo fotos georreferenciadas e coordenadas geográficas de atividades ilegais, que são fundamentais para identificar e abordar focos de desmatamento. Os dados recolhidos melhoraram significativamente a aplicação da lei e os esforços de conservação.



Desde 2020, o ICV expandiu o uso das ferramentas do GFW para além da Amazônia para monitorar outros biomas críticos. Um <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/environmental-conservation/article/abs/public-prosecutors-offices-experience-using-global-forest-watch-to-monitor-and-deter-deforestation-in-the-cerrado/767687C40EF80993741FB500D52196DB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artigo científico publicado recentemente</a> aborda a experiência e resultados com o uso do GFW pelo MPMT para monitorar e deter o desmatamento no bioma Cerrado.



“Biomas como o Pantanal e o Cerrado nem sempre têm tanta visibilidade quanto a Amazônia, mas são muito importantes para o equilíbrio climático e hidrológico e abrigam uma enorme biodiversidade”, disse Vinicius, explicando que Mato Grosso inclui áreas de três dos seis biomas do Brasil.“Um estado com toda essa riqueza natural, com diversidade de Povos Indígenas e comunidades tradicionais, além de líder em produtividade agrícola e pecuária, apresenta-se como um excelente laboratório para encontrar as soluções de sustentabilidade que nosso planeta necessita.”



<a href="https://www.icv.org.br/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saiba mais sobre o Instituto Centro de Vida aqui.</a>



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Video filmed at the Land & Carbon Lab Summit in June 2023.

 

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Vozes do Global Forest Watch: Vinicius Silgueiro, Instituto Centro de Vida

As part of our Voices of Global Forest Watch series, learn about Vinicius Silgueiro's work with Brazilian nonprofit Instituto Centro de Vida.

Voices of GFW: Vinicius Silgueiro, Instituto Centro de Vida

restoration

restoration | Global Forest Watch Blog

A decade ago, the launch of Global Forest Watch (GFW) ushered in a new era of accountability and transparency around monitoring and protecting the world’s forests. To celebrate 10 years of impact, our Voices of Global Forest Watch series will highlight successes of GFW users, partners and community members throughout the year. We invite you to read, watch and share the stories of exceptional leaders in forest monitoring who have played a pivotal role in protecting forests everywhere.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<iframe loading="lazy" width="560" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qbCzN9S6iCQ?si=7bfjPsSX-rJt3mGf" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>







“We believe at Hen Mpoano that conservation without livelihood is a mere conversation.” – Justice Camillus Mensah, Project Manager at Hen Mpoano.&nbsp;



<a href="https://henmpoano.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hen Mpoano</a>, a two-time recipient of GFW’s <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/grants-and-fellowships/projects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Small Grants Fund</a> (SGF), is a nonprofit organization based in Ghana working to protect and restore the Takoradi Forest District in southwestern Ghana, home to two important reserves: Cape Three Points Forest Reserve and Subri River Forest Reserve, which is the largest forest reserve in the country and is designated as a Global Significant Biodiversity Area.&nbsp;



“My passion for forests is from growing up along the coasts and being exposed to mangrove exploitation. But when I got to know the importance of mangroves, I decided to use technology that I love to protect mangroves and any other coastal resource, including the coastal terrestrial forests,” said Justice. “Forest is life. I keep telling the people that indeed when the last tree dies, the last man will also die.”&nbsp;



Justice was able to channel his passion into working with Hen Mpoano in 2013. Over the past decade, he has contributed immensely to ongoing campaigns for coastal ecosystem conservation in Ghana and other African countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;



During Hen Mpoano’s SGF projects, they worked to strengthen effective forest law compliance and enforcement, including pro-conservation action among forest fringing communities — all of which has been effective in reducing deforestation.&nbsp;&nbsp;



According to Justice, forest law enforcement in Ghana is almost impossible without community involvement.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1365" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_1530-2048x1365.jpg" alt="Community members training to use GFW tools" class="wp-image-17227" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_1530-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_1530-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_1530-768x512.jpg 768w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_1530-1536x1024.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: Hen Mpoano</figcaption></figure>



“We use a community-based approach to forest monitoring and protection. Members from forest fringing communities have been resourced through hands-on training on Global Forest Watch data and tools, in combination with other tools, to collect data on a regular basis,” said Justice.&nbsp;&nbsp;



With smart phones and GPS devices, the community forest monitoring teams collect evidence of forest crimes such as GPS coordinates and geotagged pictures. This data is then used to identify hotspots of forest crimes and used to generate maps using <a href="https://mapbuilder.wri.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MapBuilder</a> and other software. These maps are shared confidentially with the Forest Services Division to help trigger enforcement action and target limited resources to hotspots.&nbsp;&nbsp;



This work also led to an agreement for the Wildlife Division to provide armed staff support for enforcement in the two reserves. Through this joint effort, more than 70 culprits have been arrested for various infractions, particularly illegal mining.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Hen Mpoano now applies GFW tools and data to monitor mangrove and freshwater swamp in a project funded by the U.S. Forest Service&nbsp;—&nbsp;a landscape also undergoing mangrove restoration through <a href="https://www.africa.terramatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TerraFund for AFR100</a>. Hen Mpoano’s approach involves not only restoration and planting, but also strengthening conservation efforts in the area by engaging community members to monitor landscape changes using GFW.&nbsp;



Hen Mpoano has faced challenges, particularly with forest patrols where culprits have confronted community monitoring teams, forest officers and even Hen Mpoano staff. However, data and technology such as GFW has helped equip forest monitors with tools to continue their work.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2048" height="1365" src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_8842-2048x1365.jpg" alt="Community member using GFW tools" class="wp-image-17226" srcset="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_8842-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_8842-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_8842-768x512.jpg 768w, https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_8842-1536x1024.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: Hen Mpoano</figcaption></figure>



“In my opinion, GFW has cemented the collaborative management approach by providing citizens the tools and skill to be a part of forest protection. The community members feel very much empowered,” said Justice. “If Ghana’s status as the leading country in rainforest loss can be reversed, my team has a great role to play in that process. We will not relent until we see positive change.”&nbsp;&nbsp;



<a href="https://henmpoano.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn more about Hen Mpoano here.</a>&nbsp;



If you are interested in supporting Hen Mpoano to continue to expand their work to protect and restore forest landscapes, contact <a href="mailto:info@henmpoano.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">info@henmpoano.org</a>.&nbsp;



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Video filmed at the Land & Carbon Lab Summit in June 2023.

 

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Voices of Global Forest Watch: Justice Camillus Mensah, Hen Mpoano 

A decade ago, the launch of Global Forest Watch (GFW) ushered in a new era of accountability and transparency around monitoring and protecting the world’s forests. To celebrate 10 years of impact, our Voices of Global Forest Watch series will highlight successes of GFW users, partners and community members throughout the year. We invite you to read, watch and share the stories of exceptional leaders in forest monitoring who have played a pivotal role in protecting forests everywhere.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<iframe width="560" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qbCzN9S6iCQ?si=7bfjPsSX-rJt3mGf" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>







“We believe at Hen Mpoano that conservation without livelihood is a mere conversation.” - Justice Camillus Mensah, Project Manager at Hen Mpoano.&nbsp;



<a href="https://henmpoano.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hen Mpoano</a>, a two-time recipient of GFW’s <a href="https://www.globalforestwatch.org/grants-and-fellowships/projects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Small Grants Fund</a> (SGF), is a nonprofit organization based in Ghana working to protect and restore the Takoradi Forest District in southwestern Ghana, home to two important reserves: Cape Three Points Forest Reserve and Subri River Forest Reserve, which is the largest forest reserve in the country and is designated as a Global Significant Biodiversity Area.&nbsp;



“My passion for forests is from growing up along the coasts and being exposed to mangrove exploitation. But when I got to know the importance of mangroves, I decided to use technology that I love to protect mangroves and any other coastal resource, including the coastal terrestrial forests,” said Justice. “Forest is life. I keep telling the people that indeed when the last tree dies, the last man will also die.”&nbsp;



Justice was able to channel his passion into working with Hen Mpoano in 2013. Over the past decade, he has contributed immensely to ongoing campaigns for coastal ecosystem conservation in Ghana and other African countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;



During Hen Mpoano’s SGF projects, they worked to strengthen effective forest law compliance and enforcement, including pro-conservation action among forest fringing communities — all of which has been effective in reducing deforestation.&nbsp;&nbsp;



According to Justice, forest law enforcement in Ghana is almost impossible without community involvement.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_1530-2048x1365.jpg" alt="Community members training to use GFW tools" class="wp-image-17227"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: Hen Mpoano</figcaption></figure>



“We use a community-based approach to forest monitoring and protection. Members from forest fringing communities have been resourced through hands-on training on Global Forest Watch data and tools, in combination with other tools, to collect data on a regular basis,” said Justice.&nbsp;&nbsp;



With smart phones and GPS devices, the community forest monitoring teams collect evidence of forest crimes such as GPS coordinates and geotagged pictures. This data is then used to identify hotspots of forest crimes and used to generate maps using <a href="https://mapbuilder.wri.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MapBuilder</a> and other software. These maps are shared confidentially with the Forest Services Division to help trigger enforcement action and target limited resources to hotspots.&nbsp;&nbsp;



This work also led to an agreement for the Wildlife Division to provide armed staff support for enforcement in the two reserves. Through this joint effort, more than 70 culprits have been arrested for various infractions, particularly illegal mining.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Hen Mpoano now applies GFW tools and data to monitor mangrove and freshwater swamp in a project funded by the U.S. Forest Service&nbsp;—&nbsp;a landscape also undergoing mangrove restoration through <a href="https://www.africa.terramatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TerraFund for AFR100</a>. Hen Mpoano’s approach involves not only restoration and planting, but also strengthening conservation efforts in the area by engaging community members to monitor landscape changes using GFW.&nbsp;



Hen Mpoano has faced challenges, particularly with forest patrols where culprits have confronted community monitoring teams, forest officers and even Hen Mpoano staff. However, data and technology such as GFW has helped equip forest monitors with tools to continue their work.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.globalforestwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_8842-2048x1365.jpg" alt="Community member using GFW tools" class="wp-image-17226"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit: Hen Mpoano</figcaption></figure>



“In my opinion, GFW has cemented the collaborative management approach by providing citizens the tools and skill to be a part of forest protection. The community members feel very much empowered,” said Justice. “If Ghana’s status as the leading country in rainforest loss can be reversed, my team has a great role to play in that process. We will not relent until we see positive change.”&nbsp;&nbsp;



<a href="https://henmpoano.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn more about Hen Mpoano here.</a>&nbsp;



If you are interested in supporting Hen Mpoano to continue to expand their work to protect and restore forest landscapes, contact <a href="mailto:info@henmpoano.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">info@henmpoano.org</a>.&nbsp;



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Video filmed at the Land & Carbon Lab Summit in June 2023.

 

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