Validation Beyond the Numbers with Wovoka

By Wovoka and Open Forest Protocol

Data verification is a critical step for creating legitimate carbon credits to benefit projects on the ground, uphold the reputation of sound environmental data, and improve the effectiveness of carbon markets.

Open Forest Protocol is a digital system and standard for the validation and delivery of high quality carbon credits. Forest projects of any size anywhere on earth can measure, report, and verify their progress while accessing carbon finance with no up-front costs. An embedded validation system within the protocol ensures the creation of fair, transparent, and high integrity carbon credits and data. Multiple third party validation bodies from around the world, over 30 now to be exact, simultaneously but independently review each data set uploaded to the protocol by project developers.

There is no relationship or contact between projects and validators, removing any immediate conflict of interest. On OFP, validators receive rewards from a global verification pool based on a blockchain-innovated, token based system. There is no direct financial incentive from projects to validators but rather from participation in the ecosystem as whole.

Wovoka

‍Wovoka is an emerging climate-tech company and ARR (afforestation, reforestation, regeneration) project developer in Southeast Asia, specializing in early-stage project de-risking through an on-the-ground approach. It has a completely local team composed of foresters and environmental scientists who are trained in doing carbon stock assessments and leading the conduct of feasibility studies.

For organizations like Wovoka, ensuring the integrity and success of carbon credit projects is a commitment to real environmental impact. As a validator, Wovoka plays a crucial role in making sure that the data used to quantify carbon credits reflects the true state of the natural assets on the ground.

In this article, Wovoka shares how validating MRV data goes beyond numbers and steers projects toward success.

Why Wovoka became a validator on OFP

Wovoka’s decision to become one of the validators for Open Forest Protocol started with a desire to support high-quality projects in the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM). Recognizing that reliable data is the foundation of successful carbon projects, they volunteered as validators to bring their expertise in forestry to the table.

“Carbon credits need to be backed by more than just satellite images,” explains Director of Sustainability and Impact Denise Janer. “They need to be supported by on-the-ground proof that the land can actually support the project’s goals and that the trees are growing appropriately after planting. That’s where Wovoka as validators come in.”

Wovoka joined OFP because we believe fully in the value of field data. Wovoka liked that OFP built this into their model from the beginning as a registry and methodology.

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Remote Sensing and Field Validation Must Go Hand-in-Hand

While there have been significant advancements with remote sensing, field validation remains a critical part of project development. Recognizing this, with Wovoka’s commitment to delivering high-integrity carbon credits, the Wovoka team began conducting field validation. To enhance this process, Wovoka even developed a geotagging app that our community members can use while doing validation activities in remote areas without connectivity. After working in the traditional carbon registry space, it became clear that singular validation methods without fieldwork are not sufficient.

Similarly, using only remote sensing techniques from a single validation body could paint a skewed picture of the date- which is why on Open Forest Protocol, over 30 different validation bodies with specialities converge on one data set for thorough review.

“As validators, we ensure that projects are not just numbers on paper,” explains Chief Science Officer Ginny Tiongson. “By getting into the field ourselves, we saw firsthand how easy it is for critical ecological details to be missed when relying solely on satellite data. It reinforced the need for a holistic approach—one that blends the scalability of remote sensing with the accuracy of fieldwork.”

Wovoka sees the same ethos in the process that OFP uses to develop and measure the results of forest restoration efforts.

The “carbon cowboy problem” — putting profit over integrity

Unfortunately, not all players in the VCM are as committed to quality and integrity as Wovoka. The rise of so-called “carbon cowboys”—companies and individuals who see carbon credits solely as a business opportunity rather than a genuine climate change solution —poses a significant threat to the credibility of the market. These actors often rely heavily on superficial data and rush to generate carbon credits without thoroughly validating the ground realities of their projects.

“We see far too many players in the market rushing to create credits without a real understanding of the land or its capacity for reforestation,” says Lee Pearson, Wovoka’s Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder. “When you prioritize profit over proper data, you’re not only doing a disservice to the carbon market but also to the planet.”

The value of validation

Without accurate and validated data, project developers risk wasting both time and money. Overestimating land area or missing critical ecological details can lead to failed reforestation attempts, misplaced investments, and loss of trust among stakeholders.

Reducing risk with field data helps to ensure the community gets the best deal from their carbon rights and land tenure—too often communities are pushed to sign away too much of the potential economics of a successful outcome because an international developer does not have efficient operations and the right tool kit to effectively de-risk the project for project financing in the traditional VCM registry pathways.

“Validation isn’t just about finding errors,” Wovoka’s Chief Operating Officer Tin Dalida emphasized. “It’s about giving us a clearer and more reliable picture, which helps us plan better and make smarter, data-driven decisions.”

As Open Forest Protocol grows, Wovoka aspires to grow its bench of licensed foresters in provincial areas that can provide validation services to the platform. Wovoka works with People’s Organizations throughout the Philippines, often first connecting them to the internet to allow them to participate in the global economy and get training for the future climate jobs that are needed to hit global nature restoration targets.

Why validators like Wovoka are essential

On Open Forest Protocol, Wovoka works simultaneously with over 30 validation bodies to review each set of data uploaded to the protocol by projects on the ground. Usually, validation processes often take months or even a year to complete, however the OFP validation process can be completed in about 40 days, with a 30 day review and voting period and a 7 day challenge period. All results are displayed on the blockchain based Atlas Explorer, where anyone and everyone is able to view the data uploaded, the validation results as well as how each of the validators has voted.

Every 6 months for the first 2 years of a project's lifetime, data is re-measured and re-verified, continuing each year thereafter. This ensures transparency and traceability for an entire lifecycle. If a data upload is denied, the project is provided with feedback to improve future uploads. Projects get a maximum of 3 data denials before they are removed from the platform.

Validators bring an essential layer of scrutiny and insight to carbon projects. By combining remote sensing technology with ground truthing, they ensure that project metrics like carbon sequestration capacity and land suitability are accurate. This attention to detail supports the credibility of carbon credits, making it easier for projects to attract investors and gain recognition in the VCM.