Case Study: Wild + Pine & Treeconomy
Forging a Path for High-Integrity Natural Capital Assets in Canada
Project Development
Carbon Credits
Sherwood Case Study
May 29, 2025
Carolina Amu Trujillo
For Canadian project developer Wild + Pine, the mission is clear: make nature investable and deliver truly transparent, traceable carbon removal. Partnering with Treeconomy, they leveraged expert pre-development assessments to lay a robust foundation for their StoneWoods Forest Carbon project, ensuring it meets the highest standards of credibility from the outset.
The Mission: Pioneering Sophisticated Natural Capital Assets
Wild + Pine is committed to developing high-integrity natural capital assets in Canada, a market where they see a distinct need for sophisticated and transparent offerings.
As Chris, the Founder and CEO of Wild + Pine puts it:
"We’re part of the pathway in making nature investable. It hasn’t been an easy or streamlined approach, but we feel we have brought a sophisticated product to market… in Canada where few others of its kind exist."
In a climate solutions landscape often filled with noise, Wild + Pine is proud to be different:
"Our work and natural capital assets in general remain as a high-integrity and truly transparent, traceable carbon removal asset... We are humbly proud we are not one of those companies [doing everything but removing carbon] and remain steadfast in our mission."
The Challenge: Navigating Complexity as a Growing Business
Embarking on the 643-hectare StoneWoods Forest Carbon project, an afforestation initiative in Alberta aiming for Verra VM0047 registration, Wild + Pine faced the inherent complexities of a rapidly evolving carbon market:
"We can’t be an expert in everything," Chris explains. "We’re a small business and it is difficult as it is to stay abreast of every evolution... We’re managing everything on behalf of our clients; from land acquisition to field execution, to project registration - and naturally, things slip through the cracks."
This made finding a knowledgeable and reliable partner crucial for ensuring the project's success and adherence to rigorous standards.
Left photo: Aspen poplar seedlings. Right photo: tree planter
The Solution: Data-Driven Confidence with Treeconomy's Pre-Development Suite
Treeconomy's comprehensive pre-development assessments provided Wild + Pine with the critical insights and validation needed at an early stage.
Precision with Project Site Eligibility (PSE) Assessment:
Chris highlights the impact:
"Treeconomy’s PSE assessment provided validation and strategic insight at a pivotal stage... Although our project had already been initiated, Treeconomy’s satellite-based analysis confirmed that our intervention areas met Verra’s VM0047 eligibility requirements, reinforcing the integrity of our project design."
He adds:
"Their review of historical land use helped refine our understanding of site suitability and strengthened our justification of additionality under the dynamic performance benchmarking framework. Notably, the assessment ensured that our project remained fully aligned with Verra’s standards and is well-positioned for long-term credibility and impact."
Clarity with Carbon Projections & Dynamic Performance Benchmark (DPB):
The support extended beyond initial eligibility. "Beyond the PSE, Treeconomy’s broader carbon projections and DPB work strengthened our confidence to advance our StoneWoods project," says Chris.
"The carbon projection assessment will help us evaluate long-term carbon removal potential, while simultaneously the DPB established a clear, credible baseline for quantifying additionality."
He emphasises that these assessments "support our compliance with the VM0047 methodology, but also de-risk project planning and enhance the overall credibility of the work - key elements in attracting stakeholder trust and future investment."
The Partnership Experience: "Too Good!"
For Wild + Pine, the collaboration was about more than just data; it was about partnership and trust.
When asked about the experience, Chris said:
"They were too good! Everything has been clear and informative. We’re very happy with the work and pleased that they adapted to our ever-changing schedule and needs."
This positive experience translated into a core value:
"Overall, we have developed a trusting relationship which is hard to come by these days." It's this trust that underpins a successful partnership, especially when navigating the complexities of carbon project development.
As Chris noted earlier:
"It’s comforting to know we're in good hands with Treeconomy."
The Impact: Enhanced Credibility and a Clear Path Forward
By partnering with Treeconomy, Wild + Pine has not only ensured methodological rigour for the StoneWoods project but has also significantly enhanced its overall credibility and attractiveness to stakeholders. The detailed, science-backed assessments provide a solid foundation for the Project Design Document (PDD), crucial for validation and securing investment.
Afforestation area with intact natural forest
Aspirations: Continuing to Make a Real Impact
Looking ahead, Wild + Pine’s aspirations remain focused on tangible positive impact:
"Like my comments... earlier; I feel that there are few companies left actually doing work, making a positive impact. My aspiration is that we simply get to keep doing that work on behalf of clients that value it."
And Treeconomy’s role in this?
"Treeconomy’s work helps our current and future clients see through the noise and towards projects like StoneWoods."
With a robust, data-driven foundation, the Stonewoods Forest Carbon project is well on its way to achieving its carbon removal goals, contributing to a healthier planet, and showcasing the power of high-integrity nature-based solutions – a mission Treeconomy is proud to support.
White spruce seedling
Ready to Build Your High-Integrity Nature Project?
Wild + Pine's success with the StoneWoods Forest Carbon project showcases the power of a data-driven, science-backed approach from the very beginning. If you're developing a nature-based carbon project, Treeconomy is here to help you navigate the complexities and maximise your impact with confidence.
Learn More About Our Services: Discover how our Pre-Development Package [link to your Pre-Development Package Brochure here] can support your project's journey from concept to validation with assessments like Project Site Eligibility, Carbon Projections, and Dynamic Performance Benchmarking.
Ready to Move Forward? If you're looking to de-risk your project, ensure compliance, and attract investment, get in touch with our commercial team today to discuss your specific needs. Get in touch with us today.
