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Elias Ayrey

Elias Ayrey

Forest Remote Sensing Scientist and Carbon Market Integrity Expert

elias-ayrey
Bellingham, Washington, United States
Joined May 2026
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6.3K connections
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Carbon Market Strategists
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Climate Tech Founders
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Forest Carbon Scientists
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Geospatial AI Developers
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Pachama Carbon Direct Alumni
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UMaine
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Renoster Core Team

Summary

Elias Ayrey is a leading expert in forest remote sensing, leveraging advanced techniques like LiDAR and deep learning for forest inventory and carbon stock estimation. His academic work includes pioneering algorithms for individual tree segmentation and developing wall-to-wall forest inventories for vast regions, demonstrating a strong foundation in applying cutting-edge technology to ecological challenges. wordpress+3
He is a prominent advocate for integrity and transparency in the voluntary carbon markets. Through his work at Renoster and his public statements, including a New Yorker article detailing his exposure of the flawed Kariba carbon project, he critically evaluates carbon offset projects and calls for greater accountability, aiming to reform the industry. renoster+2
Ayrey has a deep commitment to environmental science, stemming from a background in ecology and paleobotany. His early experiences, including a NOAA internship and research on the morphology of ancient plants, highlight a long-standing passion for understanding and preserving natural systems, particularly forests. wordpress+1
Beyond his core scientific work, Elias Ayrey has applied his skills to various impactful projects, including developing LiDAR models for deer wintering habitats and assisting in the search for American Chestnut trees. He also holds private pilot and commercial drone licenses, which he utilizes for aerial photography acquisitions relevant to his research. wordpress+1

Work

Education

Projects

Writing

The Great Cash-for-Carbon Hustle (New Yorker Article mentioning Ayrey's work)

October 1, 2023

This article details the flaws in the Kariba carbon offset project, featuring Elias Ayrey's analysis that it received significantly more credits than it should have, highlighting his role in exposing such issues.

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My Next Adventure: Renoster (Blog Post)

June 1, 2023

A personal account from Elias Ayrey on why he joined Renoster, highlighting his motivations to disrupt and reform the carbon market through deep transparency, after his experience at Pachama.

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Synthesizing Disparate LiDAR and Satellite Datasets through Deep Learning to Generate Wall-to-Wall Forest Inventories of New England

January 1, 2021

Details the use of deep learning to combine different remote sensing datasets for comprehensive forest inventories across New England.

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The Use of Three-Dimensional Convolutional Neural Networks to Interpret LiDAR for Forest Inventory

January 1, 2018

This paper explores the application of 3D convolutional neural networks for interpreting LiDAR data to enhance forest inventory processes.

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Layer stacking: a novel algorithm for individual forest tree segmentation from LiDAR point clouds

January 1, 2017

Presents a new algorithm for segmenting individual forest trees from LiDAR point cloud data, improving accuracy in forest measurement and analysis.

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Hobbies

Elias Ayrey is a private pilot and a commercial unmanned aircraft systems licensee (FAA part 107), with experience in aerial photography for research and commercial use. wordpress+1

He makes educational and thought-provoking YouTube videos about the carbon industry and forest remote sensing. youtube+1

Notes

SBSaif Bhattisaid
EAElias Ayrey (PhD)
is one of the best they've worked with when it comes to purchasing or managing carbon credits.

May 21, 2026