Woodland Carbon Code verifications: Lessons from 50+ site surveys

Our Head of Projects, Eck Gordon, celebrates completing  over fifty Woodland Carbon Code site survey verifications. To mark this occasion, we asked him to reflect on memorable moments and share tips for others as to how best to approach this vital milestone in the certification process. 

To understand why verification matters, it helps to take a step back and look at the wider certification process under the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC). WCC projects move through three main stages:

• Registration - before work begins on site. 

• Validation - after planting (and within three years of registration). This is largely administrative, involving detailed project design documentation, third party audit and checks by the WCC. Successful validation leads to the issuance of Pending Issuance Units (PIUs), which represent expected future carbon sequestration. 

• Verification - the ongoing process that follows. Want to see what verification involves? Watch our Woodland Carbon Code verification video here.

What is a Woodland Carbon Code Verification?

WCC verification is the process that confirms that trees are growing as expected and that projected carbon sequestration is being delivered. Successful verification allows PIUs to convert into verified Woodland Carbon Units (WCUs). For landowners, it demonstrates that the woodland is delivering against its design. For buyers, their purchased PIUs convert into WCUs, representing the delivery of sequestered carbon. 

Want to understand the different unit types under the Woodland Carbon Code?

Learn more about the difference between Pending Issuance Units (PIUs), Woodland Carbon Units (WCUs) and how the Woodland Carbon Code Registry works here.

Traditionally, verification involves surveyors spending significant time on site measuring and counting trees. It can be time intensive, labour heavy and can be challenging on remote or difficult terrain. At its core, it is straightforward: are the trees there, are they thriving, and does the project align with what was originally set out? 

But, as Eck will tell you, it is rarely dull!

Let's start from the beginning - where was your first survey?

I actually spent my first day of work at Forest Carbon on site with my colleague Sam Welsh, who had also joined that week, and James Hepburne Scott who was showing us the ropes on a site in Northumberland. 

Memories from that November day were mainly that it was bitterly cold, and after a number of plot tutorials from James, Sam and I were let loose to work our way round a stand of Eucalyptus (not a species you’d necessarily expect to discover in Northern England!). 

In spite of the weather and diminishing light, James illustrated his ability for keeping morale and motivation high by producing some half frozen Mars Bars at the end of the day as a reward for our perseverance! 

That first site visit captured something essential about verification work: it’s practical, hands-on and grounded in the realities of sites and seasons. 

Are there any projects that stand out to you, or days that were particularly rewarding?

One that comes to mind is a visit to Badrallach on the West Coast of Scotland. I actually managed to sneak away for the day from a holiday to visit one of our more remote sites. The journey to and from Kinlochewe took about an hour and half, but offered some of the most scenic views the Highlands have to offer. I also had the opportunity to experience a typical highland summer’s day - starting with torrential rain in the morning, then ending with blazing sunshine and blue skies in the afternoon. 

The site itself stretches over four compartments, diligently managed by the Badrallach Commons Grazing Committee and implemented by John McGlade Forestry on Dundonnell Estate. After a steep climb up from the road through head high bracken, I was rewarded at the top with a commanding view over the sea loch - Little Loch Broom. Whilst the trees were still small at the higher elevation due to their exposure to the elements, as I descended through the site they grew in stature, providing an interesting contrast with the heather outside of the deer fence. It’s a fantastic example of where woodland creation can be located, on less productive steep ground. I’m looking forward to visiting the project in years to come as the woodland grows and matures.

What’s been the most challenging site you’ve surveyed? 

Not every verification is straightforward, but it’s usually the tougher ones that you remember most!

Projects can be tricky to survey for multiple reasons and you never quite know what you’ll encounter until you arrive on site. A couple of visits stand out in particular. One was a site visit on the West Coast of Scotland which spanned over two days and two sites. 

Whilst the trees themselves were growing well and in excellent density, traversing the site was another matter,  with thick patches of gorse and brambles blocking access to plots. To add to this, underfoot was extremely uneven wet ground, with the result that I was soaked from the waist down in no time at all. 

Another memorable site down in Cumbria was difficult for other reasons. This was a much more mature project, approaching its fifteenth year. Located on a steep bank with tall trees and patches of impenetrable bracken it was again very difficult to travel through. 

Each site brings its own experience, shaped by the landscape, the weather and the unique character of the place. No two verifications are ever the same - and that’s part of the enjoyment. Every site reflects its landscape and design, and you adapt to what’s in front of you. 

What makes a survey challenging? 

If I were to construct a truly challenging site from scratch, we’d start with a project on steep ground, ideally seen from afar to intimidate before you have even begun. The site itself should have large mounds and correspondingly deep holes (ideally filled with ice cold water). Lastly these holes should be concealed with thick vegetation such as reeds or tall grass, and to finish it off a smattering of bramble or thistles added to this mix would be the icing on the cake. 

All in all, verification isn't about idealised terrain, it’s about understanding how the projects are performing in the real world. Every verification is a unique experience and you take something away from each one - a better way of planning a route, a reminder to pack an extra pair of socks…

All that being said, we do have a vision for the ‘ideal’ site - projects that are highly accessible via road or track are favoured as they allow you to maximise the time surveying as opposed to traversing electric fences and fields of potentially aggressive livestock! And, whilst we appreciate the need for mounding on many sites, it is always welcome news when you find that the surface of a project is relatively even and weed free. 

Top tips for surveys - How best to prepare for a verification

Many of the stresses of being on site can be alleviated with proper equipment and forward planning. Here are a few top tips for a smooth verification:

• Plan your route in advance - Review maps, compartments, and access points with satellite imagery before arriving on site.

• Check access and permissions - Confirm gates, livestock and any site constraints beforehand. It’s always good to know whether electric fences are switched on!

• Dress for the weather - Layers, waterproofs and spare socks are rarely regretted.

• Allow for more time than you think you’ll need - Terrain and vegetation can slow progress, and you can only fully assess conditions once on site. In winter, reduced daylight hours make this especially important when planning site visits. At best, you’ll finish ahead of schedule. 

• Keep clear notes for your plot counts - I tend to record plot data using voice notes. Speak loudly and clearly to avoid the wind interfering, and to make reviewing the recordings back in the office much easier.

• (Bonus tip) Always pack lots of water, hay fever tablets and a morale booster - even if it's just a half-frozen Mars Bar!

Looking ahead

While much of verification remains hands-on, innovation is beginning to play a greater role in how WCC projects are monitored. One key development is the pilot use of remote sensing and drone technology to support Year 5 Verification surveys, with Forest Carbon participating in this trial. 

The pilot is testing whether high resolution aerial imagery, captured by drones, can streamline the verification process. Currently focused on Year 5 verification, the pilot aims to reduce time spent on site, improve safety, reduce administrative burdens, and improve data quality. Overall, it seeks to make verifications more efficient while maintaining the integrity of the Code and better supporting landowners through the certification process.

Completing more than fifty verifications is a significant milestone - not just in number, but in experience gained across landscapes and different project types. From remote Northumberland sites to bracken-covered slopes in the Highlands, each project tells its own story.

As technology evolves and processes improve, the fundamentals remain the same: careful planning, practical knowledge and a clear understanding of what successful woodland creation looks like on the ground.

If you’re approaching verification for your own Woodland Carbon Code project and would like guidance on what to expect, get in touch with the Forest Carbon team! We support landowners through every stage of the Woodland Carbon Code process.