The Digital Forester

Kevin Lim

Foresters that have embraced digital technologies to transform the business of forestry share their experiences and lessons learned in this podcast.

  1. JAN 29

    Derrick Emsley - veritree

    SummaryIn this conversation, Kevin Lim interviews Derrick Emsley, CEO of veritree and co-founder of tentree. They discuss Derrick's entrepreneurial journey, the founding of tentree, and the transition to veritree, a technology platform designed to enhance reforestation efforts. Derrick shares insights into the challenges of verifying tree planting projects and the innovative technology veritree employs, including geospatial analysis and blockchain for transparency. The discussion highlights the importance of trust in environmental initiatives and the potential for technology to drive impactful change in sustainability. In this conversation, Derrick Emsley discusses the challenges and opportunities in the reforestation sector, particularly focusing on verification standards and the importance of transparency. He highlights successful projects in Kenya and Canada, emphasizing the impact of partnerships. Derrick also shares insights on the role of AI in enhancing reforestation efforts and the significance of understanding the core problems in the industry. He concludes with advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, stressing the importance of being problem-focused rather than solution-obsessed.Takeaways- Derrick Emsley started his entrepreneurial journey at a young age.- tentree was created to connect consumers with tree planting initiatives.- veritree emerged from the need for better verification in reforestation.- Technology plays a crucial role in monitoring and verifying tree planting.- Blockchain can enhance trust in environmental projects.- Derrick's background in Saskatchewan influenced his work ethic and values.- The importance of community support in entrepreneurship.- veritree's technology connects funders with restoration projects.- The role of geospatial technology in project design and implementation.- Trust is essential for the success of digital environmental products. Verification standards can create challenges in reforestation.- Transparency is key to overcoming verification issues.- Successful partnerships can lead to significant impact.- Traveling to project sites enhances understanding and motivation.- Diverse reforestation initiatives include mangroves and agroforestry.- AI can streamline workflows and improve data insights.- Setting ambitious goals can drive team motivation.- Quality of tree planting is as important as quantity.- Understanding the problem is crucial for entrepreneurs.- Real-world experience is essential for identifying industry challenges.Chapters00:00 Introduction to veritree and tentree02:56 Derrick Emsley's Early Journey and Entrepreneurial Roots06:06 The Genesis of tentree and Its Impact09:11 Transitioning to veritree: The Need for Technology12:01 Building Technology for Reforestation15:00 Understanding veritree's Technology and Applications17:52 Customer Engagement and Project Implementation21:09 The Role of Blockchain in veritree24:02 Future of Reforestation and Technology27:52 Navigating Verification Challenges in Reforestation33:00 Highlighting Successful Projects and Partnerships38:05 The Impact of Travel on Project Insights40:55 Exploring Diverse Reforestation Initiatives45:03 The Role of AI in Enhancing Reforestation Efforts48:45 Scaling Goals: Challenges and Opportunities51:57 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

    55 min
  2. 10/07/2025

    Levi Farrand - Deep Forestry

    Levi Farrand, CEO of Deep Forestry, joins The Digital Forester podcast to share his incredible journey from adventure guide and naval diver in Australia to leading a cutting-edge forest tech company in Sweden. Deep Forestry is pioneering fully autonomous LiDAR-equipped drones that can fly beneath the forest canopy, creating highly detailed digital twins of forests for inventory, planning, and carbon projects. Levi takes us through the early startup days—bootstrapping with his co-founder, recruiting his first engineer from a rock-climbing gym, and proving that their system could map every tree in a stand with accuracy rivaling or surpassing traditional field methods. We dive into the challenges of scaling AI-driven forest mapping, the future of sub-canopy drones in commercial and conservation forestry, and why Levi believes democratizing access to this technology will transform decision-making in forests around the world. If you care about data-driven forestry, carbon transparency, and the future of forest management, this episode is a must-listen. Topics Covered: Levi’s journey from adventure guide and naval diver to tech founderBuilding Deep Forestry from a startup idea to a global solutionThe role of autonomous LiDAR drones in creating digital twins of forestsStartup challenges: bootstrapping, networks, and early adoptersPrecision and accuracy in sub-canopy forest measurementsApplications for inventory, carbon markets, and time-series monitoringPricing models and the shift from hardware to service-based deliveryScaling innovation: batteries, lighter LiDAR, and AI pipelinesOpportunities in diverse forests vs. monoculturesLevi’s vision for democratizing access to affordable forest mapping tools

    53 min
  3. 07/15/2025

    Domenico Iannidinardo & Aaron Fujikawa - Strategic Natural Resource Group

    Domenico Iannidinardo, CEO, and Aaron Fujikawa, Director of Remote Sensing & Geomatics at Strategic Natural Resource Group (SNRgroup), join us on The Digital Forester podcast to share how they're navigating the future of forestry and resource management in British Columbia. Domenico brings decades of leadership experience from the forest industry, while Aaron shares how Strategic’s tech-forward mindset is driving innovation with GIS, remote sensing, and operational analytics. Together, they break down how a boots-on-the-ground culture and Indigenous majority ownership are helping the company respond to today’s biggest forestry challenges — from wildfires to shifting tenure models. If you’re curious about where digital forestry meets field operations, this is the episode for you. Topics Covered: Domenico’s transition from forest industry executive to CEO of StrategicAaron’s background in GIS and 15+ years leading geospatial innovationThe founding story and evolution of Strategic Natural Resource GroupShifting BC forestry tenures and Indigenous leadershipWildfires, spill response, and rapid deployment operationsEmbracing technology: GPS, drones, LiDAR, and digital twinsStrategic Natural Resource Group's approach to building dashboards and data portalsHow remote sensing and field data fuel better planningThe intersection of climate change, land management, and techRecruiting and retaining top talent in forestry and natural resources

    55 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

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Foresters that have embraced digital technologies to transform the business of forestry share their experiences and lessons learned in this podcast.