About us

Origin

The idea of GPS supported community-based forest monitoring and forest crime prevention was born during a scientific green criminology project in Brazil (2010-2016), funded by the Dutch NWO-WOTRO Science for Global Development Program. It was set up in collaboration with Brazilian universities and NGOs to identify and reduce social and environmental harm, including crime. The development strategy focused on access to justice and improving the rule of law.

In 2014, we first equipped various traditional communities that live near deforestation hotspots with water proof GPS cameras, solar chargers and power bank. It allows them to take pictures of illegal forest activities.

The activities of Forest Forces are possible thanks to funding by a crowd; initially by alumni from Utrecht University, followed by donations from people from different countries – so far, mainly Brazil and The Netherlands.

Forest Forces has existed as an informal network since 2014. In 2018 Forest Forces became an official entity: Forest Forces is registered as a non-profit Foundation in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Stichting Forest Forces).

Our team in Brazil

Odair ‘Dadá’ Borari
Chief of Maró Indigenous Territory
Manoel Munduruku
Chief of Ipaupixuna Indigenous Territory
Jozenildo
Chief of Açaizal Indigenous Territory
Full team of forest protectors of Maró Indigenous Territory

Our global support team

Founder / DirectorTim Boekhout van Solinge
(PT, FR, NL, EN)
Science TeamTessa Schuil
(NL, EN)
Criminology Expert
Dr. Philippe Hanna 
(PT, ES, NL, EN)
Anthropologist /
Collaboration with Brazilian Forest Protectors
Communications
Team
Maria Indjeian Diaz
(ES, FR, EN)
Communications Coordinator
Elli Mayaoglu
(DE, TUR, EN)
Secretary
Rita Heller
(ES, EN)
Social Media
Jessica van den Ende
(NL, EN)
Logistics
AmbassadorsNiek Oldenburg
(NL, EN)
Supervisory BoardTim Manschot
(NL, EN)
Maarten Robben
(NL, EN)
You can contact all members of the Forest Forces team via contact@forestforces.org