RFCx Hardware

RFCx has created project-specific solutions for monitoring biodiversity and detecting illegal activities. Our hardware offerings include the RFCx Guardian and the RFCx Edge, both with specific strengths and goals in mind. 

Guardian: A device which streams acoustic data to the cloud and provides real-time monitoring. Guardians consist of a custom board, weatherproof box, antenna, microphone, and solar panels adapted to collect the light that makes its way through the canopy.

 

Edge: An acoustic logging device that listens for sound from audible into ultrasonic frequencies, and records uncompressed audio to SD cards. They are easy to install and can be configured by an app. They are used for in-depth short-term biodiversity assessments.

Every new project site has challenges, and we have been deploying an entirely new version of the Guardian since October 2020. We have been learning much about some of the nuances of the device. For example, we learned that in European environments we need additional solar panels in order to capture the low winter light. 

Huawei Cloud AI and Tools

Our AI model for chainsaw detections are modified and strengthened with support through our partnership with Huawei, and all data collected in our Huawei-sponsored projects is stored on the Huawei Cloud. Huawei has cooperated with RFCx to develop more accurate intelligent algorithm models based on Huawei's advanced artificial intelligence service (Huawei Cloud AI) and tools (ModelArts) to achieve more accurate identification of illegal forest activity (the sounds of chainsaws, vehicles etc.). In addition, Huawei is helping RFCx build intelligent models that detect and analyze the sounds of fauna, providing information about their habitat, threats, and even life habits, helping local partners protect endangered species.

RFCx's partnership with Huawei, including being granted usage of the Huawei Cloud for data storage and analysis, has enabled us to expand and refine our offerings like never before. Huawei and RFCx have worked together to develop innovative platforms that include equipment collection, storage services, and intelligent analytics.

 

Pursuing strong corporate partnerships, like Huawei, allows us to more efficiently tackle challenges through their support and tools. Huawei has enabled high precision models,which will significantly reduces the rate of alert false positives.

 

Dr AESVT
Developing effective local people-wildlife conflict mitigation strategies
Raising awareness about wildlife conservation
Encouraging development projects to conserve biodiversity
Scientific research benefits wildlife conservation
The fight against poaching, illegal trade and killing of wild animals.
Dr AESVT
Developing effective local people-wildlife conflict mitigation strategies
Raising awareness about wildlife conservation
Encouraging development projects to conserve biodiversity
Scientific research benefits wildlife conservation
The fight against poaching, illegal trade and killing of wild animals.
Identification and sthrength of OECM in Colombia

For the last 60 years, a great number of rightsholders in Colombia have promoted sustainable management and biodiversity conservation of their territories beyond protected areas, even though their conservation efforts have not been recognized as important elements of climate-smart land planning and have very little governmental support. 

 

The project’s overarching goal is to strengthen and make visible the culturally rich and socially diverse conservation and sustainable production initiatives that different Colombian actors are implementing, as a contribution to sustainable development that does not impoverish the country's natural patrimony.

 

As their identification as Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECM) is an opportunity to visualize those efforts, Resnatur and partners have been working for several years in adapting the OECM identification criteria to the Colombian context together with 27 initiatives, according to the international framework. 

 

This project contributes to the implementation in Colombia of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Decision 14/8 of 2018 that “Encourages Parties and invites others, in collaboration with indigenous peoples and local communities, to apply … …advice on OECMs”; … “Identifying OECMs and their diverse options within their jurisdiction;”

  • The adaptation of the international framework and especially the OECM criteria of the IUCN guidelines and the Decision 14/8 of 2018 to the Colombian context.
  • The application of OECM criteria on a case by case basis.
  • The development of two methodological processes to apply the OECM criteria and to identify the elements to be strengthened.

• OECM framework allows to recognize other forms of conservation and governance.

• Capacity building is needed to apply the OECM criteria in a bigger scale.

• National authorities should be involved in the discussion on how to apply the criteria.

• More resources will be needed to identify OECMs and to monitor the biodiversity outcomes.

• OECMs must be areas maintaining high biodiversity value. There is a necessity to develop participative monitoring methodologies.

• OECMs are an oportunity to increase connectivity, effectiveness and climate change adaptation of protected areas systems.

• OECMs are key elements to Post 2020 Biodiversity framework goals.

Teach the community the skills of Improved Cooking Stoves (ICS)

After understanding bad effects of cutting trees for heating energy, the people look for an alternative to reduce deforestation. The majority concluded to learn how to efficiently use less bulk of trees with same results in energy. Thus, the adoption of improved cooking stoves reduce the use of wood by 30% with the same result in heating.

Within 4 months the cohort is taught how to mix availbale materials turning them in good ICS (clay, sand, used ironsheet, ). They are taught from scratch and become good ICS maker not only for household use but also for sale.

 

The availability of financial resources: To produce ICS requires a mix of different materials that need to be bought though not expensive(used ironsheet, nails, sand, clay).

Informed community: The knowledge of people enhance the right choice, ICS is one solution but there are other alternatives that might be used including those that are harmful to environment. It is required to educate the community to get good result as well as educating direct beneficiaries   before any activity to be conducted for getting the best of the solution

The participation of the local community is the key to all achievements and sustainability of solution in environmental matters. We learned that when the action respects the win-win rule, then there is an interest of all stakeholders. The skills in ICS making was a big benefit for the community, which was motivated and contributed to achievements of our goals.

To increase the awareness of the community on the role of environment in the wellbeing of the humanity

To get the awareness of the community and sustainability of our solution we teach the community through public meeting, in chuches, on radio talks and with any other means that delivers information. We prepared an education module that help community to have a full package: explanation of concept "environment", involved parties, the threat to environment, the role, rights & obligations of the community in environmental protection. In partnership with schools we make study tours in parks and other reserves help the community to understand the environment.

1. The appropriate collaboration of local leaders: Local leaders provide tremendous support in mobilization but they create also an enabling environment and in the reinforcement of laws related to environment.

2.  The availability of financial resources: In some parts, the implementation of above building block requires money to pay some necessities such as printings, airtalks, park visiting, etc.

The first lesson is that when the citizen is well guided, he undestands the importance of the environment protection and he is ready to act accordingly . Another lesson is that the environment can regenerate itself when taken care of. Forcing the community is not a good option for a sustainable solution in preserving the environment. Teaching them to get the personal commitment is the best alternative.

REAO
To increase the awareness of the community on the role of environment in the wellbeing of the humanity
Teach the community the skills of Improved Cooking Stoves (ICS)
REAO
To increase the awareness of the community on the role of environment in the wellbeing of the humanity
Teach the community the skills of Improved Cooking Stoves (ICS)
REAO
To increase the awareness of the community on the role of environment in the wellbeing of the humanity
Teach the community the skills of Improved Cooking Stoves (ICS)