Sandesh Shrestha is a Forester and GIS Remote Sensing Specialist with Aster Global Environmental Solutions, Inc.

In this role, Mr. Shrestha serves as an audit team member providing technical review support for forest carbon offset projects under a variety of rule sets including Verified Carbon Standard (VCS), Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) and California Air Resources Board (ARB). He is qualified in forest inventory methods, GIS and remote sensing applications, protected area management and community-based conservation, forest management, wildlife conservation and habitat assessment. At Aster Global, Mr. Shrestha’s responsibilities include conducting in-depth reviews of GIS and remote sensing analyses, forest inventory design and growth models, and carbon quantification.

Mr. Shrestha has experience working in multiple projects in the United States and in Nepal. Prior to joining the Aster Global team, he worked as a Geospatial Research Associate with Kentucky State University where he focused on the acquisition, compilation, and processing of geospatial data using satellite imagery, LiDAR, and UAV drones for creating ecosystem assessments, land use/cover change, and watershed modelling. He also worked with SeedTree Nepal as a data analyst studying forest cover changes using Landsat, MODIS imageries to collect and analyze tree nursery and plantation program data. Mr. Shrestha also has experience developing health mapping methods of Northeast forests in the United States using Sentinel-2 and Landsat data. Mr. Shrestha worked as a Research Assistant at Project 111 where he conducted extensive forest inventory of 111 community forests of Nepal and social survey with forest user groups. He also has experience working as a Conservationist at Annapurna Conservation Area Project, the largest protected area in Nepal, where he was involved in natural resources and wildlife management integrated with community-based conservation and development approach.

Mr. Shrestha is a published author of numerous research projects in the United States and Nepal related to hydrology, remote sensing applications, LULC change, climate change impact, community perception and vulnerability studies.

Mr. Shrestha is a professional member of the Society of American Forester, and Nepal Forester’s Association.