NatureDefenders

NatureDefenders is a web3 crowdfunding product that leverages blockchain technology to address the pressing issue of wildlife extinction globally, supporting & promoting wildlife conservation efforts.

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Introduction:

Our product, NatureDefenders is a fundraising platform that leverages the security of blockchain technology and USDT cryptocurrency to support and promote wildlife conservation efforts. PitchDeck Presentation slides: link

Purpose & Motivation

Our purpose is to contribute to wildlife conservation preventing by developing NatureDefenders a web3 crowdfunding product designed to support conservation efforts and address the pressing issue of wildlife extinction globally. We aim to engage individuals and organizations in safeguarding wildlife through secure and transparent crowdfunding while rewarding funders with unique Badges as a recognition and awareness reward.

The Motivation is as a result of the severe threat of extinction wildlife is facing due to various factors such as habitat loss, poaching, illegal wildlife trade, and climate change. Without immediate intervention, iconic species, including Tiger in Southeast Asia, the African elephant, black rhino, and mountain gorilla, are at risk of disappearing forever. The loss of these majestic creatures would have a detrimental impact on the ecosystem and biodiversity of the continent. We don't want the these wildlife to be like the dinosaur, Dodo, The Quagga, Steller's sea cow, Tasmanian tiger, The Northern White Rhinoceros, etc. that have gone extinct

What NatureDefenders does

NatureDefenders offers several key value propositions to its users and stakeholders:

  • Impactful Conservation Efforts: By contributing to NatureDefenders, users directly support wildlife conservation projects, making a tangible impact in safeguarding endangered species and their habitats.
  • Transparency and Trust: The integration of blockchain ensures transparency, traceability, and accountability in fund allocation, enabling users to see how their contributions are being utilized and fostering trust in the conservation process.
  • Unique Badge Rewards: NatureDefenders provides funders with exclusive Badges as a digital reward, giving them a sense of ownership and pride in their support for wildlife conservation. These Badges can also hold long-term value and serve as a symbol of their commitment.
  • Engaging User Experience: NatureDefenders offers a user-friendly platform that allows individuals and organizations to easily contribute, explore projects, track progress, and stay connected with the conservation community, creating an engaging and meaningful experience.
  • Community Building and Awareness: NatureDefenders fosters a community of like-minded individuals and organizations passionate about wildlife conservation. Through social integration and project showcases, the platform raises awareness and inspires others to join the cause, amplifying the impact of conservation efforts.

How we built it

  • The design was created using Figma. link

Web Application:

  1. Front-end: Developed as a web application, accessible from desktop and mobile devices using React js, styled-components, Tailwind CSS, react-router Dom, sweetalert2, and react-responsive-carousel. link

  2. The Back-end is built using Nodejs, express, and MongoDB

  3. Blockchain Integration using Celo Network

  4. Smart Contracts: Solidity, hardhat environment

  5. Remix was used for testing the smart contract and

  6. Deployed on Celo alfajores testnet address, 0x8e0F543B4fdAAE2030427db92e47FFc9F695633F.

How to use NatureDefenders

PitchDeck & Demo: link

From the product web homepage, users get started by creating an account on NatureDefenders either as a project administrator or project donor/funders; providing their email addresses, other necessary information and creating a password

Funders:

  • Registration and Account Setup: Users login and Users Connect Wallet (Metamask, coinbase, or any other preferred wallet) -Users explore or browse through featured wildlife conservation projects either from the homepage or the explore page.
  • Users select a project of interest and review its more information about the project and the project Administrator; details including goals, impact, estimated project amount, amount raised, funding requirements, etc
  • Users make a Donation: Users input desired donation amount in USDT, and provide the necessary information to complete the transaction securely through the integrated blockchain payment gateway.
  • Users confirm the contribution and receive a unique badge as a reward in their digital wallet within NatureDefenders platform.
  • Social Sharing: Users can share their contributions and badge rewards on social media platforms, spreading awareness about wildlife conservation and encouraging others to contribute.
  • Users monitor funds allocated to each project, through the community and project update and ensuring transparency in funds utilization.

Project Administrator:

  • Users connect wallets to profiles.
  • Users access the administration portal with appropriate credentials.
  • Add new conservation projects, specifying their objectives, funding requirements, and milestones, estimated amount etc.
  • Users update project details, progress, and impact updates regularly, community update etc
  • Users withdraw fund for the purpose of the project.

Features and Functionality

  • User Registration:
  • Blockchain/Cryptocurrency Integration:
  • Project Showcase/Listing:
  • Project update and Donation Tracking:
  • Badge Rewards as digital assets:
  • Social Sharing for awareness.

Go-to-Market Strategy

  • Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with established conservation organizations, influencers, and celebrities to leverage their networks and credibility.
  • Social Media Engagement by utilizing engaging content/posts, discussions, polls, success stories, and project updates, building a community around our cause.
  • Strategic Partnership: Collaboration with established wildlife conservation organisations, influencers and experts in the conservation and environmental fields to promote NatureDefenders.
  • Organizing online events, workshops, and webinars to educate our audience about wildlife conservation, blockchain technology, and the platform's unique benefits

Challenges we ran into

  • Time constraints
  • Errors and bugs encountered while trying to work on the integration for the product frontend, backend and smart contract which we are unable to fix as a result of time constraints.
  • Not able to work more on the backend for time constraints and bugs encountered.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Being able to contribute to wildlife conservation through:

  • The design
  • The deployed MVP
  • Deployed Address on Celo alfajores Testnet: 0x8e0F543B4fdAAE2030427db92e47FFc9F695633F -Being able to submit this project despite the time constraints.

What we learned

  • More about web3; knowledge on building, integrating and working on web3
  • Why it is necessary for wildlife conservation.
  • Other ways of approaching wildlife conservation

What's next for Nature Defenders

  • Integrate with web2 payment gateway like PayPal, quickteller, Interswitch etc.
  • Enhanced Community Engagement features that enable users to interact with each other, share stories, and collaborate on conservation initiatives.
  • Develop a mobile application to provide users with convenient access to NatureDefenders from their smartphones.
  • Integration with additional blockchain networks
  • Working on forestry conservation quick-teller

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