Today we talk with Phil Dickenson, the founder behind Replant World, an Indigenous community-led initiative revolutionizing forest conservation. Through their innovative DMRV (Digital Measurement, Reporting, and Validation) technology, Replant World is bridging the gap between traditional Indigenous wisdom and modern tech solutions.
Launched in March 2024, their platform not only tracks tree planting and biodiversity impacts but also ensures direct funding reaches Indigenous communities who protect 80% of the world’s biodiversity yet often find themselves excluded from major conservation efforts.
Shauna Blackmon: Hi Phil, so lovely to meet you. Thanks for taking the time to talk. To start off, can you tell us a bit about Replant World and your mission?
Phil Dickenson Founder, Replant World:
Replant World is an Indigenous community-led native forest and biodiversity project. We’re currently using technology, thanks to being matched by Tech To The Rescue. We’ve developed DMRV technology, which stands for Digital Measurement, Reporting, and Validation or Verification. We use it to capture, measure, and report biodiversity impacts, predominantly through tree planting within forest ecosystems, whether heavily cleared and degraded or needing biodiversity support, as identified by local Indigenous communities. We publish those biodiversity impacts on the blockchain so everyone can see the work that’s being done, where it’s happening, and all the associated metadata. We hope this technology enables direct funding for Indigenous peoples, who are often excluded from conservation efforts by large NGOs.
Shauna: When you say it was spread and adopted, does that mean Replant World is actively sharing this idea and technology with other groups?
Phil: Yes, though we’ve only had the technology since March, so it’s early days for us. We’re a small, bootstrap organization, just taking our first steps in communicating what this technology can do for Indigenous peoples in other areas. NGOs working with Indigenous peoples are starting to hear about what we’ve developed, and we’re working to include them.
Shauna: It seems like Replant World is very tech-heavy now. Was that always the case?
Phil: We’re primarily focused on forest ecosystems and their restoration, especially if they’ve been degraded by industry or climate impacts. But you’re right—our focus on tech came from a desire to use it for good. About two or three years ago, I started looking into tech that could capture tree planting and use third-party verification for it. I found a company beta-testing some technology, and we began using it. We provided feedback, helping them improve it, but it wasn’t moving in the direction we wanted. So we submitted a proposal to Tech To The Rescue to help us develop our own tech, which we launched in March 2024.
Shauna: It’s still new, but how has this changed your work or made it easier?
Phil: The two key impacts are transparency and direct funding for Indigenous peoples. Despite making up 5% of the global population, Indigenous peoples protect 80% of the world’s biodiversity but receive only a fraction of the funds they need to continue this work. Our technology enables them to measure and report their biodiversity impacts, allowing them to receive direct funding through a marketplace we’re developing.
Tree planting has grown in the past couple of decades, but the industry is opaque. A lot of the trees being planted are productive trees, like cacao or coffee, which are often cut down after they’ve served their economic purpose, releasing carbon back into the atmosphere. Transparency allows sponsors and the public to trust that nature restoration is being done by the right people in the right way.
Shauna: Are these productive trees like fruit-bearing trees or agricultural trees?
Phil: Yes, Yale University did a study on tree planting, and out of 174 organizations, the five most common trees were cacao, moringa, mango, coffee, and—I’m forgetting the fifth. These trees are productive but not always best for long-term ecological sustainability.
Shauna: Can you speak to why biodiversity is so important and why productive trees don’t offer the same ecological value?
Phil: Productive trees do have ecological value, especially in agroforestry systems. But biodiversity is about nature thriving and flourishing through natural regeneration. We’ve done a lot of damage to biodiversity, and now we need to restore it. Letting forests regenerate naturally would be ideal, but with climate change, we don’t have the luxury of time. We need to plant a diverse mix of trees to replicate natural ecosystems. Currently, only about 300 species are being planted, out of the 40,000-50,000 species available in tropical ecosystems.
Shauna: You work closely with Indigenous communities. How does your organization collaborate with them?
Phil: We work with Indigenous peoples because they are often excluded from conservation, even though they live within or near forest ecosystems and possess invaluable wisdom. We use our networks to connect with resilient frontline communities that are struggling with encroachment or climate impacts.
Shauna: When exporting this technology, do you have to start fresh with new groups or designs?
Phil: Yes and no. The technology we’re developing makes it easier, but biodiversity restoration is complex. There are 40,000 to 50,000 tropical tree species, and in Kalimantan alone, there are around 10,000 native species. Indigenous peoples know their forests far better than I do, but science will also help us identify species through tools like AI. This combination of Indigenous wisdom and scientific data will give us a thorough understanding of what to do. So, yes, it’s difficult, but AI-powered tools make it easier.
Shauna: Has working with tech been a learning experience for you and your team?
Phil: I’ve worked with technology for most of my career, particularly in broadcast television, so I’m pretty familiar with it. My team varies in their experience, but you might be surprised by how tech-savvy Indigenous communities are. We’ve developed an app for Android and iPhone, and even young children in these communities are using it to track biodiversity impacts. We’ve built a backend system that allows our team to access and manage data in the field.
Shauna: What impact has Replant World had so far?
Phil: Globally, we’re still in the early stages. Organizations in Nigeria, Kenya, and Australia have started using POPTECH, and here in Indonesia, we’ve planted tens of thousands of trees. These trees are tracked and verified in our system, and sponsors can purchase NFTs representing their biodiversity impact. For Indigenous communities, this means direct funding for their efforts.
Shauna: Is this mostly for large-scale donors, or could individuals contribute too?
Phil: We want it to be inclusive for everyone. Companies can support Replant World and Indigenous communities, but we also want individuals—students, families, anyone—to be able to participate. Our marketplace will make it easy to plant trees, track their impact, and receive NFTs representing that contribution.
Shauna: What do you hope to gain from the AI for Change Makers program?
Phil: The camaraderie has been amazing. It’s inspiring to be part of a network tackling climate issues from different angles. The technology will empower Indigenous communities, allowing them to take control of their own conservation efforts. AI will also help us access important data for conservation and combine it with Indigenous knowledge, creating powerful solutions. Fundraising is also a big part of what we hope to gain. Indigenous peoples protect 80% of the world’s biodiversity, yet they make up 15% of the global poor. We need to get more funding to these communities and ensure they’re recognized for their stewardship of nature.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
As Replant World blazes the trail, extending a hand to drive meaningful change through the AI for Changemakers Accelerator program, we invite tech companies and nonprofits alike to join forces in this pivotal movement. Whether you’re a tech company eager to support pro bono or a nonprofit seeking to amplify your impact, there’s a place for you in this collaborative endeavor. Let’s stand together at the forefront of innovation, leveraging the power of AI to tackle society’s most pressing challenges.
Learn more about the AI for Changemakers Program and register to build AI for impact!