From near-real-time satellite data, to protected area boundaries, to high-resolution imagery - there are dozens of data sets that users can leverage to explore GFW. One of my primary tasks was to make these clear to users by showing relevant examples. I worked with communications initiatives that were in-person, online, or in writing to convey a wide variety of findings and platform uses.

GFW hosts a whole world full of information about what is happening to forests on the ground. By working with the research team and GFW partners, I helped translate dozens of findings into compelling stories and graphics - from videos, to blogs, to story maps, to workshops.

Global Forest Watch is a network of over 200 organizations, businesses, government ministries, journalists, and scientists. When issues arose that we could visualize on the map, it often meant rapid-response communications campaigns and strategizing for impact. For example, the infamous forest fire seasons in Indonesia to clear protected areas for palm oil.

In coordination with researchers and data scientists, my task was to design a rapid-response system for real-time deforestation alerts, crowdsource information within the GFW network to investigate the cause and effects of the deforestation, and produce insightful storytelling via timely publications.

Traveled to Mexico City and the Peruvian Amazon to train journalists how to use GFW and forest mapping for investigation and in their publications. Also worked with journalists from the GFW partnership from Washington, DC.

For the launch of new initiatives, digital platforms, and major findings, I would lead the coordination and planning of major events, panels, discussions, and workshops across the world. This includes two COP conferences, several UNFCCC side events, and dozens more.

Using GFW maps, our partners discovered a patch of jungle in Peru where United Cacao, a supposedly-sustainable chocolate company, was illegally clearing primary rainforest. This issue became close to my heart, and I worked behind the scenes with researchers, journalists, and scientists to uncover a dark web of corporate threats, land grabs, and more. Eventually the company was taken off the UK stock exchange, and closed business.

Part of a panel at the COP22 Climate Conference in Paris to discuss carbon emissions as they relate to deforestation in the tropics.

While at GFW, we built out several platforms that focused on specific forest-related issues, such as GFW Fires, GFW Climate, GFW Commodities, and GFW Finance. I worked with the primary researchers and web designers to help brand and design these initiatives as digital platforms, then structure their communications strategy.