To say that our ecosystem is important would be an understatement. It is absolutely vital to the world’s health and the care of our human society. Forests are one of the main factors in supporting a strong ecosystem, but deforestation is a major problem that many countries face around the world. Deforestation is when woodlands are purposefully cleared for agricultural expansion, logging, or infrastructure growth. However, one new entrepreneur, Angelique Ahlstrom, hopes to improve the ecosystem with her own business, Flash Forest.
Cofounded by Angelique Ahlstrom, Flash Forest is a “Canadian reforestation company that uses UAV technology, automation, and ecological science to regenerate ecosystems on a global scale.” She started the company this year in 2021 and uses advanced technology of artificial intelligence, Plant Science, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and geographic information systems (GIS) to map, analyze, and automatically plant tree seeds in damaged forest areas. This company’s technology costs less and is safer and faster than other traditional methods. Flash Forest is actively working towards the goal of planting more than one billion trees by 2028 to reduce carbon in the atmosphere and restore worldwide ecosystems. They have tested 18 species of trees in planting trials to achieve biodiversity in forests. Flash Forest works with different organizations and industry partners to help plant trees and fulfill their “carbon offset pledges.” They even work with government industries to help them meet their reforestation targets that are expensive and difficult to complete.
Angelique says, “Our motivation is to have a tangible impact on climate change and all species within our lifetime, to revolutionize the reforestation industry on a truly planetary scale.” This is a very ambitious goal put forth by Flash Forest, but the first step to develop a socially minded business is to have a goal and fall in love with the problem, not the solution! Currently, Canada is one of the world’s leaders in sustainable forest management and Angelique aims to continue this with her company. She found a problem and used her passion for the environment to cause true social impact with her innovative brand and design.
I think this is such a cool idea because entrepreneurs are constantly tryin to find ways to solve problems. So many people are saying that climate change is a huge problem to us and it will be an even bigger problem in the following generations. Creating something that everyone can get behind while using technology that is very advanced to combat the current situation is excellent. It is very important to think of other species and other people and we are called to keep the earth as Christians and this is one of the ways we can do that.
What an interesting business idea, for a problem that is definitely occurring around the world. I am curious on a practical note, how reliable and affordable this will be? I’d love to see it in action and how they plan to enact this business at a world wide level. Hope this business, nothing but the best!