About the Guest Aymeric Maudous is the Co-founder of Lord of the Trees , an Australian-based environmental technology company pioneering drone-assisted reforestation. With over two decades in the environmental sector and a Master’s in Environmental Management from UNSW, Aymeric combines cutting-edge robotics and AI with Indigenous ecological knowledge to regenerate degraded landscapes. His work has taken him from the Daintree Rainforest to Borneo and beyond, where he collaborates with local communities to restore ecosystems and biodiversity at scale. Episode Summary In this episode of Shape the System, host Vincent Turner talks with Aymeric Maudous, founder of Lord of the Trees, about reimagining reforestation through technology and traditional wisdom. Inspired by a David Attenborough documentary and the natural cycle of birds dispersing seeds, Aymeric’s “lightbulb moment” led to a model where drones replace birds, dropping nutrient-rich seed pods to restore damaged ecosystems faster and more efficiently. Aymeric explains how Lord of the Trees blends high-tech solutions—AI, robotics, and drones—with low-tech, traditional ecological knowledge from Indigenous communities. This unique hybrid approach not only accelerates land restoration but also ensures cultural and environmental authenticity. Their process spans from detailed soil and species analysis to creating digital twins of landscapes and performing precision planting with military-grade drones. The discussion explores the enormous global opportunity—1.7 trillion hectares in need of reforestation—and the challenges that come with scale, regulation, and trust in the carbon credit market. Aymeric also delves into their upcoming plans to use blockchain to verify and bring transparency to reforestation projects. Beyond the tech, he shares the human side of the work: his joy in being on the ground, learning from local communities, and leaving behind a living legacy for future generations. Key Takeaways 1.7 trillion hectares of land globally could be reforested—an area roughly equal to the USA and China combined. Lord of the Trees combines high-tech drones and AI with local ecological knowledge to regenerate land sustainably. Each project begins with ecosystem mapping and creating a digital twin, allowing precision planting tailored to the environment. Transparency is key: blockchain and distributed ledger technology will enable public verification of reforestation progress and carbon credits. True regeneration requires maintenance and balance, not just planting—nature thrives through care, sequencing, and community collaboration. Notable Quotes “I was watching a David Attenborough documentary when I thought — why don’t we replace birds with drones and make our own seed pods?” — Aymeric Maudous “Not all land needs to be reforested. Plains and savannas are just as important as rainforests in maintaining balance.” — Aymeric Maudous “We use drones, AI, and robotics — but we also rely on thousands of years of local ecological knowledge. It’s a symbiosis of high-tech and low-tech.” — Aymeric Maudous “With technology today, including blockchain, we can trace every tree planted — creating a new source of truth for environmental restoration.” — Aymeric Maudous “I love being barefoot with Aboriginal people, walking through the forest, learning about trees and birds. That’s where the magic happens.” — Aymeric Maudous Resources Lord of the Trees Shape the System is  an independent podcast with support from KPMG High Growth Ventures More about KPMG High Growth Ventures Scale up for success. We’re here for that.
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