> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.gainforest.earth/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.gainforest.earth/gainforest.app-and-bumicerts/what-is-bumicerts.md).

# What is Bumicerts?

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**Bumicerts** is the platform on [GainForest.app](https://gainforest.app) for communities and local organizations documenting environmental stewardship and turning field evidence into impact records.
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<a href="https://gainforest.app" class="button primary" data-icon="arrow-up-right">Open Bumicerts on GainForest.app</a>

## Meaning of the name

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>🌏 bumi</strong></td><td>Means 'earth' in several Southeast Asian and South Asian languages.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>🏷 certs</strong></td><td>Short for impact certificates: records that help represent environmental work and evidence.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>🌱 Bumicerts</strong></td><td>A platform for earth-focused impact records, built around Projects and evidence.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Who we are building for

Bumicerts is for people and organizations doing environmental work on the ground, including:

* community groups
* Indigenous communities
* local nonprofits
* schools
* project teams
* local organizations in the Global South

Bumicerts is built for groups who are finding ways to:

* prove stewardship
* report impact
* gain visibility
* organize environmental evidence
* attract funding and partnerships

## Public by design

Bumicerts is designed to help communities make their stewardship visible. The essence of the platform is public documentation: Projects, updates, and linked evidence are meant to help others understand what is happening, what work is being done, and why it matters.

This public record can support awareness, trust, impact reporting, funding conversations, and partnerships.

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Because Projects are intended to be public, do not upload or link sensitive information that should not be shared openly. This may include private locations, culturally sensitive knowledge, personal information, or data that could put people, species, or habitats at risk.
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## Is Bumicerts a good fit?

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>✅ A good fit</strong></td><td>Restoring forests, wetlands, or farms<br><br>Planting or monitoring trees<br><br>Protecting habitats and wildlife<br><br>Community climate adaptation<br><br>Environmental education tied to action<br><br>Traditional stewardship, if the community agrees</td></tr><tr><td><strong>❌ Not a good fit</strong></td><td>Office-only work with no field activity<br><br>Unclear activities<br><br>No photos, notes, data, or evidence<br><br>One-off activities with no follow-up<br><br>Work that harms nature or ignores community rights<br><br>Sensitive information that should not be public</td></tr></tbody></table>

## The basic idea

Instead of only describing impact in a report, users can create a **Project** and connect real data uploads as evidence.

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>1. Create a Project</strong></td><td>Set up a page for your environmental work, story, goals, and updates.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>2. Upload data</strong></td><td>Add biodiversity observations, photos, field notes, AudioMoth recordings, tree data, drone imagery, files, or external links.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>3. Link evidence</strong></td><td>Connect uploads to your Project so others can understand and review the work.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>4. Use the record</strong></td><td>Use the Project for impact reporting, visibility, funding conversations, grants, and community updates.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## How Bumicerts fits together

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Bumicerts</strong></td><td>The platform name.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>GainForest.app</strong></td><td>The link where the platform is accessed.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>GainForest</strong></td><td>The organization and ecosystem behind the platform.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Project</strong></td><td>The main page users create and manage for environmental work.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Evidence</strong></td><td>Data or supporting material linked to a Project.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## What you can do with Bumicerts

Use Bumicerts to:

* create a Project for environmental work
* upload biodiversity observations and other field evidence
* link uploaded data to a Project
* organize evidence in a way that funders, partners, and communities can understand
* explore opportunities such as the Weekly BioBlitz Challenge and the Rewilding the Web Grant
* use tools such as Tainá and AudioMoth bioacoustic support

## Next step

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[What is a Project?](/gainforest.app-and-bumicerts/what-is-a-project.md)
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