Trepatroncos
A youth-led international network promoting forest canopy conservation.
Follow along with our current work on our Instagram @trepatroncos
Our mission
Forest canopies are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, yet they remain critically understudied. The lack of accessible equipment and training creates a gap in understanding these vital ecosystems, which regulate local climates, store carbon, and support countless species.
As a youth-led organisation, and supported by Reserva: The Youth Land Trust, we build local capacity for long-term forest stewardship, empowering youth and local landowners and expanding our global reach through multimedia storytelling.
This year, we installed innovative, low-maintenance camera trap systems to remove barriers of cost and expertise, enabling our partners in Colombia to maintain cameras and contribute directly to research. This democratises canopy monitoring, fostering youth-led science and community ownership of conservation.
Our work
🌿 Training local youth and landowners in safe tree climbing and canopy monitoring—with a focus on gender equality.
📸 Deploying low-maintenance camera trap systems to collect data on little-studied species.
🤝 Building partnerships with organisations, researchers, and communities to scale conservation impact.
🎓 Creating educational workshops that foster long-term stewardship of forest canopies.
Our goal? To make canopy science accessible, inclusive, and locally led, so that the next generation of conservationists can protect these vital ecosystems.
Meet the Team
Photo by Callie Broaddus
Juan Lucas Capa Procel, Ecuador🇪🇨
Founder and Leader of Trepatroncos - @ijuanlucas
Originally from Zaruma, El Oro (southern Ecuador), Lucas completed his bachelor's in Biology at the Universidad Estatal Amazónica in Lago Agrio.
Passionate about science, tree climbing, and conservation, Lucas’ aim to become a conservation biologist focused on neotropical forest canopies led to him founding Trepatroncos, which the project oficially launching July 2025.
Key Achievements
Completed Discovering the Canopy: an international training course in accessing the canopy for research and conservation in Neotropical forests (2025).
Qualified in Advanced Canopy Access Techniques (2024).
Training local youth in forest conservation and exploration in Ecuador and Colombia.
Strengths
Leadership in fieldwork, workshops with student and community engagement across all ages.
Expertise in safe tree-climbing techniques for research.
Connecting with people to obtain equipment, expertise and funding.
Rose Bull Wood
ROSE Alexandra BULL WOOD, England 🇬🇧
Co-lead and Filmmaker of Trepatroncos - @wildrose_photoss
Originally from London, Rose holds a first-class honours degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science from the University of the West of England.
With 7 months of hands-on experience in Costa Rica as a wildlife intern, including roles as a tree climber maintaining canopy camera traps, she brings a unique blend of field expertise, expedition filmmaking and creative storytelling.
Key Achievements
Produced and edited conservation-focused documentaries and multimedia content for NGOs, research projects and charities.
Held workshops and presented research on wildlife monitoring, drone techniques, and field research methods.
Collaborated with local communities, scientists, and conservation organisations to amplify underrepresented voices in science.
Strengths
Strong leadership in fieldwork, team coordination, and video production.
Expertise in safe field techniques, wildlife research, and multimedia production.
Photo by Ella Holbrook
Ollie Thomas, UK🇬🇧
Technical Director for Trepatroncos - @ropeyscience
Ollie Thomas, founder of Ropey Science and inventor of CanopyCams, is a herpetologist and rope access technician who merges ropes and science to advance canopy research. Ollie holds certifications in IRATA Level 3, CS38 tree climbing, aerial rescue & Rescue3 Rope Rescue Specialist, with extensive experience in rock climbing and rigging.
Key Achievements
Launched CanopyCam to enhance canopy research.
Trains researchers in safe tree-climbing techniques (Spanish & English).
Specialises in innovative sampling techniques at height, canopy bridges, and rigging solutions for science.
Strengths
Expertise in rope access, rigging, and fieldwork safety.
Focus on empowering local scientists and expanding research methods.
Our Projects
Millers Saki (Pithecia Milleri) captured on a canopy camera trap in Piamonte, Colombia.
PIAMONTE, COLOMBIA
Our first and largest project launched as part of a collaboration between Reserva: The Youth Land Trust and Asociación Salvemos Selva.
Since July 2025, we have:
Installed the first-ever 8 camera traps in forest canopies to monitor wildlife.
Engaged 30+ local participants (youth, landowners, and community members) in training and data collection.
Held multiple tree-climbing and canopy monitoring workshops, teaching safe techniques for accessing and studying forest canopies.
Installed 8 CanopyCams to allow local communities to lead data collection.
Common Woolly Monkey (Lagothrix lagotricha) captured on a canopy camera trap in Piamonte, Colombia.
OTHER PROJECTS
Tree climbing training and canopy camera trap installation with various NGOs and in collaboration with @ropeyscience
Contact us:
📷 Follow us on Instagram! @Trepatroncos
📧 General Email: trepatroncosconservacion@gmail.com
📧 Juan Lucas: juankpa.123@gmail.com
📧 Rose Bull Wood: rosebullwoodphotos@gmail.com
Help us create the first protected area for the Caquetá Titi monkey
Find out more and donate here
@trepatroncos
We want to thank Reserva: The Youth Land Trust for all their financial and expedition support with our project in Piamonte, Colombia, as well as Asociación Salvemos Selva and all our local partners. While the Trepatroncos team is small, it takes many more people to help deliver our projects.