About StealthEcarling
Our Story
StealthEcarling was born from a passionate encounter between ecology and technology in 2018 when Dr. Elena Popescu and tech entrepreneur Mihai Antonescu met during a conservation crisis in the Carpathian Mountains.
What began as an emergency response to illegal logging in Romania's old-growth forests quickly evolved into a pioneering conservation organization. Our founding team spent three years camping in remote areas, documenting wildlife patterns and developing innovative monitoring systems that could detect forest disturbances in real-time.
By 2022, we had secured our first major funding from the European Union's environmental initiative, allowing us to expand our operations throughout Romania's diverse ecosystems. From the misty forests of Transylvania to the wetlands of the Danube Delta, our approach combined traditional ecological knowledge with cutting-edge technology.
Today, with our eyes set on 2026 goals, we've grown to a team of 28 dedicated professionals working across multiple conservation projects, all united by a common mission: preserving Romania's extraordinary natural heritage for generations to come.
Our Mission & Values
Our Mission
To protect and restore Romania's natural ecosystems through innovative conservation strategies that balance ecological integrity with community well-being, ensuring a sustainable future for both nature and people.
Our Core Values
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1
Scientific Integrity
All our decisions are grounded in rigorous scientific evidence and transparent methodologies.
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2
Community Partnership
We believe conservation succeeds only through meaningful collaboration with local communities.
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3
Innovation
We constantly seek creative solutions that leverage technology for more effective conservation.
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4
Long-term Vision
Our work focuses on creating lasting ecological resilience, not just short-term fixes.
Our Team
Dr. Elena Popescu
Co-founder & Scientific Director
With a Ph.D. in Conservation Biology from the University of Bucharest, Elena leads our scientific research initiatives and has published over 30 papers on Carpathian ecosystems.
Mihai Antonescu
Co-founder & Executive Director
Former tech entrepreneur with a passion for conservation, Mihai brings his business acumen and technological expertise to drive innovative approaches to environmental challenges.
Cristina Dalca
Community Engagement Director
With a background in rural sociology, Cristina builds bridges between conservation goals and local communities, developing programs that create sustainable livelihoods.
Adrian Munteanu
Field Operations Manager
A former ranger with 20 years of experience in Romania's national parks, Adrian coordinates our on-the-ground conservation activities and trains new field technicians.
Our Achievements
Hectares Reforested
Since 2018, we've successfully restored over 5,000 hectares of degraded forests across Romania with native tree species, creating vital wildlife habitats.
Local Partnerships
We've established working relationships with over 200 local communities, creating sustainable livelihood programs that align economic needs with conservation goals.
Reduced Conflicts
Our innovative human-wildlife coexistence programs have reduced conflicts with large carnivores by 70% in targeted areas, protecting both communities and wildlife.
EU Excellence Awards
Our conservation methodologies have been recognized with three European Union Environmental Excellence Awards, setting new standards for ecological restoration in Eastern Europe.
Students Educated
Our environmental education programs have reached over 12,000 Romanian students, inspiring the next generation of conservation leaders through hands-on field experiences.
What People Say
Maria Dumitrescu
Local Farmer, Brașov County
"Working with StealthEcarling has transformed our community's relationship with the surrounding forests. Their sustainable agriculture program helped us transition to organic methods that are both more profitable and better for the land. Now my children want to continue farming rather than move to the city."
Prof. Andrei Ionescu
Environmental Science, University of Cluj
"The research methodology developed by StealthEcarling represents a significant advancement in conservation science. Their integration of traditional ecological knowledge with cutting-edge technology creates a model that's both scientifically rigorous and culturally appropriate. My students now use their protocols as the gold standard."
Gabriel Stanescu
CEO, Green Romania Initiative
"As a corporate partner, we've been impressed by StealthEcarling's professionalism and impact. Their carbon offset program doesn't just plant trees; it rebuilds entire ecosystems while creating jobs. The transparency in their reporting and the measurable outcomes have made this our most successful sustainability partnership to date."
Our Work in Images
Join Our Mission
Whether you're interested in volunteering, partnering, or supporting our work financially, there are many ways to contribute to Romania's ecological future. Reach out to learn how you can be part of the solution.