Celebrating Ecoforensic's work: GARN’s Outstanding Member of the Month - Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN)

We are happy to announce Ecoforensic as GARN’s Outstanding Member of the Month! Based in Ecuador, Ecoforensic is a pioneering organization working across the cloud forest, páramo, and Amazon rainforest to defend the Rights of Nature through a powerful blend of scientific research, legal strategy, and deep-rooted community engagement. Ecoforensic’s mission is to build resilience in protected areas, biodiversity hotspots, and Indigenous territories facing threats from extractive industries. At the heart of their work are paraecologists—local environmental defenders trained in biodiversity monitoring, water sampling, data analysis, and ecological forensics. These paraecologists are the “paramedics” of the biodiversity and climate crises, gathering robust ecological evidence to support legal cases and community-led conservation. In 2023, Ecoforensic’s research and biospatial analysis played a key role in the revocation of the environmental license for the Llurimagua mining project, a landmark Rights of Nature victory. Their growing datasets and spatial monitoring work have also identified over 16,000 km² of ecologically critical land and 153 species at risk of extinction, underscoring the urgent need for legal protection under Rights of Nature frameworks.

Ecoforensic was founded in 2022 by Professor Mika Peck, a conservation ecologist at the University of Sussex. His work spans tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and kelp forests, integrating cutting-edge environmental science with community-based conservation in Ecuador, Southeast Asia, and the UK. His commitment to impactful conservation has led to the protection of endangered species like the brown-headed spider monkey and the creation of community reserves and sustainable livelihoods.

Their work is grounded in Ecuador’s 2008 constitutional recognition of the Rights of Nature. By equipping communities with the tools to monitor and defend their ecosystems, they are building a model that blends rigorous science, Indigenous knowledge, and grassroots empowerment.

“We are truly honoured that Ecoforensic has been recognised by GARN as this month’s Outstanding Member. This acknowledgment is a reflection of the incredible work of our team and community partners who are building the bridge between Rights of Nature in law and practical application to enable communities to effectively defend their ecosystems. We believe collaboration is key to environmental justice, and we’re excited to keep building momentum with the global GARN community.” — Mika Peck & Inde Hundal, Ecoforensic

The GARN Outstanding Member of the Month program celebrates individuals and organizations advancing the Rights of Nature around the world. Do you know a GARN member making a difference in their community? Nominate yourself, your organization, or another GARN member for next month’s recognition! 📝 Join GARN for free and get the application link directly in your inbox: garn.org/get-involved 🌐 Learn more about Ecoforensic: