We hope this newsletter finds you wildly thriving.
So many things have happened this past month that we are delighted to share with you all.
It’s beautiful to see communities blooming, connecting, and engaging while fostering a better relationship with nature and supporting breakthrough research, conservation, and restoration efforts.
It was a month of intense work, with many events, learnings, and a major product launch!
Make sure to follow us so you get all updates first-hand!
Our projects in the wild
DOTphin: the digital companion redefining community engagement and marine biodiversity research.
Supported by the Polkadot Community and spearheaded by Sovereign Nature Initiative in partnership with Unique Network and WalletConnect, DOTphin project is redefining how we think about community participation. DOTphin invites users to collect and combine any Proofs of Engagement badges that evolve into a unique digital companion, each one tailored to its owner. But this isn't just about community action — it's about making a real-world impact. The project's core mission is to support groundbreaking marine biodiversity research led by the conservation organisation Aquasearch.
At Decoded, attendees both in-person and online claimed their first Proof of Attendance badges, randomly assigned with traits like water, air, or earth. These badges are the first step toward unlocking the evolving DOTphin companion. As participants engage with the project over the coming months, they’ll have the chance to see their DOTphin grow and change, with each event offering new traits and gamified evolutions.
The excitement wasn’t confined to Brussels—DOTphin also made a notable debut at EDCON Tokyo with the Polkadot Community Japan, bridging the gap between the ETH and DOT communities.
With over 700 Proof of Attendance badges claimed so far, the momentum is building, and the community is eagerly anticipating the next steps. Stay tuned for the next activations at the Web3 Summit in Berlin, Decoded Asia and Token 2049 in Singapore. Follow SNI to be the first to know about the exciting updates from DOTphin and join a movement that’s as impactful as it is innovative.
Check our website for more details about the project!
Kenya Wildlife Trust Annual Report: driving predator conservation efforts
At SNI, we’re thrilled to share the remarkable outcomes of our partnership with Kenya Wildlife Trust. Together, we’ve been at the forefront of blending technology, art, and conservation in ways that are truly game-changing. From the BLCK IoT project, which was born out of our 2022 Web3 Hackathon and is now revolutionising how we mitigate human-wildlife conflict, to the stunning “Tracing the Wild” art project that captivated audiences at Nairobi Design Week, our collaboration is making waves. And let’s not forget Wildsama, our lion NFT collection that raised a jaw-dropping $70,000 in just four hours, funding critical conservation efforts on the ground.
These projects are just the tip of the iceberg. We invite you to dive into KWT’s 2023 Annual Report for a deeper look at how our partnership is driving innovation and impact in the field of conservation.
SNI on Stage: spreading the vision of a nature-positive future
Our team has been actively spreading our vision for a nature-positive future. Here’s a glimpse of where we’ve been and the inspiring work we’ve done:
World Biodiversity Forum in Davos
SNI had the profound honour of participating in the World Biodiversity Forum in Davos as our Head of Field Research & Partnerships, Alessandro Mazzi, participated in the symposium “Unleashing the Power of Blockchain, IoT, and eDNA to Create a Paradigm Shift for Global Biodiversity Monitoring Systems.” It was a week of intense learning and collaboration, marked by insightful discussions with some of the most passionate minds dedicated to biodiversity conservation. Alessandro's presented a novel approach that combines the use of blockchain technology to track the provenance and allocation of funds to trusted biodiversity stewardship projects. The methodology leverages tools provided by the Conservation Standards in order to effectively monitor and communicate the strategy and impact of funded projects to investors and donors.
At Decoded 2024 in Brussels, the DOTphin & SNI team made a big splash, launching the concept of gamified collectibles with the backing from the Polkadot community through OpenGov.
We had the opportunity to guide attendees through the claiming of the first of its kind Proof of Attendance badges tied to the real world, which sparked excitement about this dynamic experience.
We also showcased our partners Unique Network and WalletConnect, with WalletConnect ensuring seamless connection across wallets while Unique Network powers the creation of dynamic NFTs that evolve with participation in the DOTphin project.
To cap it off, Vadim Smakhtin, SNI’s Head of Product, delivered a compelling talk about the project, which you can watch here.
Blockchain for Good Unconference in Brussels
On July 10th at BeCentral in Brussels, during EthCC, the Blockchain for Good Association organised the Blockchain for Good Unconference, four open conversations on Identity, Food, Climate, and Money. Our co-founder Dr. Andrea Leiter was one of the guests on the Climate & Environment talk, check the recording here.
Upcoming Events: Where to Find Us
Exciting events are on the horizon, and we’d love for you to join us. Here’s where you can find us next:
CryptoMondays Lisbon:
Blockchain Innovation for a Sustainable Future
CryptoMondays Lisbon and ICP HUB Portugal join forces to explore the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and blockchain technology. Catherine Bischoff will present how integrating ecological data into digital products can create a new model where nature funds its own protection and restoration. Save your spot here.
Web3 Summit in Berlin
Our CEO, Catherine Bischoff, and our Marketing Lead, Rica Amaral, will be at the Web3 Summit between 19th and 21st of August. This event is an open and collaborative space where developers from all around the world gather with one goal in mind; to advance a fully functional and user-friendly decentralised web. Check the program here.
Polkadot Decoded Asia in Singapore
On September 17th, Catherine Bischoff, will be speaking about how the DOTphin dynamic digital companion evolves together with activities in the crypto ecosystem while restoring real-world marine biodiversity. This event brings together developers, investors, enthusiasts, and industry leaders to delve into the latest blockchain advancements. Check their program here.
TOKEN 2049 in Singapore
Catherine will also be at Token 2049 on September 18th and 19th. Founders and executives of leading Web3 companies and projects will share their views on the industry and discuss global developments, offering unique perspectives on the ecosystem and its vast opportunities. Our CEO will present SNI and our DOTphin project at the Polkadot booth. Come say hello if you are there. More info about the event here.
Excited to what the future holds! And don’t forget to follow us if you haven’t yet here.
Wild Regards,
Catherine Bischoff on behalf of the Sovereign Nature Initiative
