Barrington scout collecting cell phones to fight illegal rain forest logging

If things go to plan, Joey Young's Eagle Scout project will help prevent illegal logging in the Amazon Rainforest.

Joey, a 12-year-old from Barrington, will be collecting old cellphones and sending them to an organization that will reprogram them to act as covert listening devices on alert for the sound of chain saws. When the old cellphones, which are placed high in the rain forest canopy, detect the sounds, they radio for police who will rush to apprehend the loggers.

Joey said he found the organization, called Rainforest Connection, a few months back and was drawn to their mission.

“My mom is Brazilian and I liked the idea of helping the Amazon Rainforest,” Joey said.

The founder of Rainforest Connection reached out to Joey personally to accept his help soon after Joey contacted the organization. Joey plans to put out 12 donation boxes at businesses throughout the Barrington community starting the week of July 11. He hopes to collect 240 old phones.

Those interested in more information about Joey's project or in sending him their old cellphones directly can send an email to metricquartz@yahoo.com.