# Covert Anti-Logging Smartphones The Rainforest Connection Catches Loggers with Phones in Trees By Alexander Lam | Published 2013-06-12 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rainforest-connection References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2013/06/rainforest-connection-illegal-logging.html) & [rainforestconnection.org](http://rainforestconnection.org/) Non-profit organization Rainforest Connection hopes to use smartphones hung from trees to stop illegal logging. Using a specially designed app, [old android phones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jolla-phone) can detect the [sound of chainsaws](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/haiku-box). Upon hearing a chainsaw the phone can send an alarm to local forest rangers. In order to stay on perpetually, the phones have [solar panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/doogee-fire-7-pro) attached to them. The power goes to helping the microphone listen for chainsaws within a 500 meter range. If the phone detects logging, it can send off a message to rangers with the location of the tree poaching. Currently, the organization is also working to release a smartphone app so that anybody can get alerts. The app will let everybody get the same data that rangers are getting. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.4/10 - Popularity: 5% | Activity: 30% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Smartphone Tech for Environmental Protection:** The use of smartphones for environmental protection purposes highlights the potential for smartphone technology to be used in addressing environmental challenges. - **Crowdsourced Environmental Protection Apps:** The development of apps that allow the general public to contribute to environmental protection efforts creates opportunities for building large-scale, collaborative networks of individuals who can assist in environmental preservation. - **Solar-powered Technology for Environmental Protection:** The use of solar-powered smartphones for environmental monitoring creates opportunities for developing solar-powered technologies that can be used in addressing environmental challenges. ### Where This Applies - **Non-profit/charity:** Non-profit or charitable organizations that focus on environmental conservation efforts can leverage the use of smartphone technology as a cost-effective and efficient solution for monitoring illegal activities, such as logging. - **Forestry and Timber:** The forestry and timber industry can leverage the use of smartphone technology to improve their supply chain monitoring and reduce illegal logging, ensuring a sustainable and ethical timber industry. - **Mobile Phone Manufacturing:** Mobile phone manufacturers can innovate by developing solar-powered smartphones that can be used in environmental monitoring while reducing the carbon footprint of their products. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Wood-Scanning AI Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/woodai-app.md) - [Community Tree-Planting Applications](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/furthr.md) - [Logistics-Tracking GPS Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/logistics-tracking-gps-app.md) - [App-Based Cleaning Tips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/okanagan-forest-task-force.md) - [Wildfire-Detecting Social Monitoring AI Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/following-wildfire.md) - [Sound-Localizing Smartphone Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soundcam-go.md) - [Debris-Reporting Wildlife Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/debrireporting-wildlife-app.md) - [Bioaccoustic Wildlife Monitoring](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soundscapes-to-landscapes.md) - [Forest-Fostering Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dualarm-robot.md)