Forest Invest

Forest Invest

By Shauna MatkovichBusinessEducationInvesting
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Forest Invest episodes

  • The State of British Columbia Forestry - with David Elstone

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    Spar Tree Group


    Today, I’m joined by David Elstone, managing director of Spar Tree Group and author of View from the Stump. In this conversation, David unpacks the current state of the British Columbia forest sector and explains why this globally important wood basket is facing such intense pressure. We discuss the long decline in timber harvest and lumber production, the legacy of the mountain pine beetle, mill closures, log exports, and the structural differences between BC’s coast and interior. David also shares his perspective on old growth deferrals, First Nations reconciliation, wildfire risk, forest policy, and why a clearer regional economic strategy is needed to make BC forestry more competitive and investable.


    “British Columbia is one of the biggest single-jurisdiction forest management units in the world, with about 95% of the land base publicly owned and managed under one provincial system.”


    0:10 Welcome to Forest Invest with Shauna Matkovich

    0:53 David Elstone on his background and Spar Tree Group

    3:08 The current state of the forest sector in British Columbia

    4:42 Why BC matters in global wood markets

    10:23 Log exports, mill closures, and domestic demand

    19:45 Internal versus external pressures on BC forestry

    25:28 Key actors and the biggest challenges facing the sector

    28:48 Policy changes and old-growth deferrals

    34:15 Conservation, wildfire, and active forest management

    38:17 Private timberland, AAC, and structural change in BC

    42:13 Where private investors may still find opportunity

    47:07 What would make BC forestry more investable and competitive

    50:32 Why there is no single fix for the sector

    51:39 David Elstone’s advice for new forest investors

    52:53 Where to learn more about Spar Tree Group

    53:37 Closing remarks with Shauna Matkovich


    Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink

    Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives


    Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud

    Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud

    Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

    Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
  • Building Biodiversity Credit Markets from the Ground Up - with Manesh Lacoul

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    Biodiversity Credit Alliance

    Kratom tree


    Today, I’m joined by Manesh Lacoul, Global Coordinator of the Biodiversity Credit Alliance. In this conversation, Manesh explains how biodiversity credit markets are taking shape and why credibility must be built in from the start. We discuss the key lessons emerging from carbon markets, including the need to prioritize integrity, inclusion, equity, and innovation rather than treating them as afterthoughts. Manesh shares how the Biodiversity Credit Alliance is bringing together stakeholders across the market to develop principles, assessment tools, and comparability frameworks that can support high-integrity growth. We also talk about buyer integrity, the different use cases for biodiversity credits, the growing role of governments, and what investors and project developers should be paying attention to as this market evolves.


    “In carbon markets, integrity came more as an afterthought. For biodiversity, integrity must go hand in hand with market development.”


    0:09 Welcome to Forest Invest with Shauna Matkovich

    1:14 Manesh Lacoul on his role at the Biodiversity Credit Alliance

    3:30 The key actors shaping biodiversity credit markets

    5:58 What success looks like: integrity, inclusion, equity, and innovation

    7:17 Lessons biodiversity markets should learn from carbon markets

    12:44 Inclusion and equity across different local contexts

    15:37 Market readiness on the buy and sell side

    19:00 Why buyer integrity matters as much as supplier integrity

    24:47 How current biodiversity credit buyers are approaching the market

    26:52 Where biodiversity credit activity is emerging globally

    28:58 The EU roadmap for nature credits

    31:14 Biodiversity stacked on carbon credits

    32:31 Biodiversity credits versus payment for ecosystem services

    35:04 How new buyers, investors, and developers can get started

    37:58 Why there are so many methodologies and whether consolidation will happen

    41:01 High-level principles, assessment tools, and comparability frameworks

    44:10 Why growing government involvement is encouraging

    46:02 Advice for forest investors and the role of biodiversity credits in production forests

    48:21 Where to find Biodiversity Credit Alliance resources

    48:36 Closing remarks with Shauna Matkovich


    Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink

    Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives


    Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud

    Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud

    Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)


    Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min
  • Tele-operated Forestry Operations with Merritt Jenkins

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    Kodama


    Today, I’m joined by Merritt Jenkins, CEO and Co-founder of Kodama Systems. In this conversation, Merritt explains how Kodama is using tele-operation and automation to run forestry equipment remotely, starting with skidders in the southeastern US. We discuss the technology behind the system, including Starlink connectivity, real-time video feeds, LiDAR, GPS, and onboard computing, and what it takes to make that technology reliable in tough forest conditions. Merritt also shares how remote skidding can help address some of the industry’s biggest challenges, from operator shortages and long commutes to physical strain and safety risk. We also explore the practical questions logging contractors ask around productivity, terrain, maintenance, and cost, before looking at what’s next for Kodama as the company expands into new regions and machine types.


    “It's very challenging for logging business owners to find skidder operators. Whether you're in BC or the Florida panhandle, it's really the same theme—the industry is aging out, and the younger generation just isn’t as motivated to do this type of work.”


    0:19 Meet Merritt Jenkins of Kodama Systems

    0:28 Favorite tree: Southern yellow pine

    0:53 Merritt’s background and Kodama origins

    1:26 What Kodama does: remote skidding

    2:28 Technology stack: Starlink, cameras, LiDAR, GPS

    4:17 Ruggedising hardware for forestry conditions

    5:17 Compatible skidders and OEM integration

    7:43 Addressing the forestry labour shortage

    10:23 PS5 controllers for machine operation

    11:15 Remote site awareness and mapping

    13:55 Key industry pain points solved

    15:00 Logger concerns: costs and operations

    16:08 Remote operation across locations and time zones

    18:11 Cameras, visibility, and maintenance

    20:35 Terrain handling and machine feedback

    23:02 Business model and day rates

    25:48 Ideal operating environments

    26:51 Logger reactions and adoption

    29:14 Collaboration with logging crews

    30:26 Kodama team and skill sets

    32:00 Lessons learned in the field

    33:15 Future plans and expansion

    34:07 Safety systems and fail-safes

    35:35 Where to learn more

    36:05 Outro


    Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink

    Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives


    Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud

    Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud

    Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

    Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min
  • Drone Reforestation at Scale: How Ki Reforestation Is Restoring Burned & Remote Forests in Canada with Trevor Grant

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    Ki Reforestation

    Ki Reforestation (Instagram)


    This episode is brought to you by Ki Reforestation, a Canadian reforestation technology company restoring difficult landscapes using drone seeding, with a seed-agnostic approach and an Indigenous-aligned ecological restoration model. Today, I’m joined by Trevor Grant, Founder & CEO of Ki, to unpack Canada’s growing reforestation deficit and why new tools are needed to rebuild forests after increasingly severe wildfires — especially in steep, remote terrain where traditional crews face safety and access constraints. We dig into Ki’s system, from heavy-lift autonomous drones and real-time environmental sensing to AI-informed seeding prescriptions and the “magic sauce” behind the work: pharmaceutical-grade seed encapsulation designed to improve soil contact and reduce predation and withstand environmental factors.


    Trevor also shares where drone seeding is (and isn’t) a fit, early field learnings since 2022, how costs can compare to manual planting, and what Ki is building next through a proposed five-year R&D program with academic, government, industry, and Indigenous partners. Learn more and join Ki on its mission through visiting Ki's website.


    “We’re able to tailor density down to the number of seeds dispersed per square meter and adjust prescriptions in real time based on slope, soil, vegetation, and microsite conditions observed during flight.”


    0:10 Introduction to Forest Invest

    0:20 Sponsor spotlight: Ki Reforestation

    1:01 Meet Trevor Grant, Founder and CEO of Ki Reforestation

    1:12 Trevor’s favourite tree and why it stands out

    2:21 The origin story behind Ki Reforestation

    3:32 Canada’s wildfire crisis and the reforestation deficit

    4:36 Restoring forests after wildfire: timing, access, and safety

    5:27 How Ki’s drone seeding technology works

    7:20 Heavy-lift drones, species mixes, and microsite planting

    10:00 Seed encapsulation: the core innovation behind the model

    12:53 Can drone seeding compete with manual tree planting?

    17:08 Ki’s use cases: harvesting, wildfire recovery, and mine-site rehabilitation

    19:44 Where aerial direct seeding is not the right fit

    20:56 What Ki knows so far, and what still needs to be proven

    22:11 Field trials, early results, and lessons learned since 2022

    24:03 Indigenous partnerships and holistic restoration approaches

    25:18 Customers, collaborators, and the 5-year research programme

    28:39 What governments should ask before choosing an aerial reforestation company

    31:08 Addressing scepticism and proving where the technology works

    33:00 Seed sourcing, supply bottlenecks, and planning timelines

    37:09 Government interest, funding gaps, and public-sector support

    38:55 Carbon markets, additionality, and who should benefit

    41:19 Why Ki is taking a slower, research-first approach

    42:18 What excites Trevor most about Ki’s current stage

    43:33 The future of Ki beyond Canada

    45:33 Where to learn more and get involved


    Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink

    Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives


    Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud

    Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud

    Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

    Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min
  • Women Leading the Future of Forestry

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    Bettina von Hagen

    Candice Taylor

    Gwen Busby

    Katrina Amaral

    Kirstie White

    Mary Ignatiadis

    Rita Hite


    In this special International Women’s Day episode, I bring together seven remarkable women working across the forestry sector—from investment and forest economics to sustainability, supply chains, and policy. In no particular order, Bettina von Hagen, Candice Taylor, Gwen Busby, Katrina Amaral, Kirstie White, Mary Ignatiadis, and Rita Hite share the pivotal moments, mentors, and decisions that shaped their leadership journeys. Through personal stories and candid reflections, the conversation explores themes of curiosity, resilience, and the power of mentorship in building a career in forestry. The guests also discuss the realities of working in a sector where women remain underrepresented, sharing experiences that range from subtle bias to moments of opportunity and influence. Together, these voices highlight how diverse perspectives are helping reshape forestry—from community-centered supply chains and natural capital investing to sustainable forest management and climate solutions—and why supporting the next generation of female leaders is essential for the future of the sector.


    00:00 Introduction – Women Leaders in Forestry

    00:23 Podcast Welcome & International Women’s Day Special

    01:56 Women in Forestry – Representation and Industry Statistics

    04:37 Introducing the Leadership Stories

    05:01 Bettina von Hagen – Finding Your “True North” in Leadership

    07:16 Candice Taylor – Continuous Learning and Career Reinvention

    09:35 Gwen Busby – Economics, Nature, and Timberland Investment Strategy

    12:05 Katrina Amaral – Community Forestry and Small-Scale Supply Chains

    14:30 Kirstie White – Stewardship, Sustainability, and Leadership

    17:13 Mary Ignatius – Forest Economics, Carbon Markets, and Collaboration

    19:41 Rita Hite – A Leadership Journey to CEO

    21:51 Gender Experiences in Forestry – Stories from the Field

    24:08 Candice Taylor – Proving Expertise and Creating Space

    25:32 Gwen Busby – Navigating Finance and Forestry as a Minority

    28:06 Katrina Amaral – Logging, Perception, and Gender Bias

    29:34 Kirstie White – Changing Representation in Forestry

    31:25 Mary Ignatius – Confronting Gender Bias in Organizations

    32:39 Rita Hite – Leadership Confidence and Authenticity

    34:29 Closing Reflections – Celebrating Women in Forestry

    34:37 Outro – Forest Invest


    Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink

    Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives


    Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud

    Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud

    Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

    Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    35 min
  • The EU (Forest) Carbon Market is Coming! - With Asger Strange Olesen


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    Asger Stragne Olesen (LinkedIn)

    IWC AM+

    International Woodland Company (IWC) on LinkedIn


    Today, I’m joined (for the second time) by Asger Strange Olesen, Global Head of Climate and Biodiversity at IWC AM+, and an independent expert deeply embedded in Europe’s forest policy arena. In this conversation, Asger explains why the EU has historically kept forestry out of the EU ETS, why voluntary forest carbon activity in Europe has remained limited, and what’s changing as the Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) builds the market infrastructure for EU carbon removals. We unpack the EU’s “declining sink” problem, the complexity of forest ownership across member states, and why Mario Draghi’s competitiveness agenda is pushing Europe toward leaner regulation—and clearer signals for investment. Finally, we explore what the CRCF is designed to enable (and what it still doesn’t solve), how it compares to existing standards, and why country-by-country implementation will determine where EU forest carbon markets—and forest investment—move first.


    "The mechanics and infrastructure are being made available. The CRCF gives you the toolbox. But whether that toolbox gets used depends on each individual country. If governments allow the framework to play and recognize downstream corporate demand for removals, then private capital will step in. If they continue to rely primarily on state-driven support schemes, investment will remain limited. So it’s not the EU framework alone—it’s national implementation that will determine where real forest investment opportunities emerge.”


    00:09 — Welcome to Forest Invest

    00:11 — Host intro: Shauna Matkovich (The Forest Link)

    00:19 — Guest intro: Asgar Strange Olesen (IWCAM Plus)

    00:40 — Favourite tree: European beech

    01:29 — Asgar’s EU policy roles (CRCF, EU Taxonomy review, FSC, SBTi)

    05:27 — Why EU forest policy is complex (no direct EU forest mandate)

    08:21 — EU forest diversity + ownership differences

    11:45 — Draghi, competitiveness & climate targets

    14:52 — The “declining sink” challenge

    20:41 — Why forestry is excluded from the EU ETS

    27:46 — The missing piece: lack of demand

    29:13 — What is the Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF)?

    31:37 — How CRCF differs from existing standards

    37:37 — Built-in revision + piloting phase

    40:00 — Performance certificates vs tradable credits

    41:41 — GHG Protocol uncertainty & EU reporting shift

    44:45 — Investment outlook: country-by-country reality

    47:58 — Actionable advice for investors

    49:37 — Closing remarks


    Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink

    Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives


    Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud

    Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud

    Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)


    Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min
  • Science-Backed Forest Carbon Investing with Susan Cook-Patton

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    The Nature Conservancy

    Susan Cook-Patten on LinkedIn


    Today I’m joined by Susan Cook-Patton, Lead Reforestation Scientist at The Nature Conservancy, to get into the weeds on applying science to forest carbon investment decision making. In this conversation, Susan breaks down what “durability” really means in practice—how risks vary by location, project type, and species, and why investors should be assessing likelihood, severity, and the probability of regrowth. She shares how her team is developing tools and maps to help investors quickly identify higher- and lower-risk landscapes, bringing greater certainty to carbon outcomes under future climate conditions. We talk project design choices that can reduce wildfire impacts, the role (and limitations) of buffer pools, and emerging alternatives like permanence trust funds and storage years. Susan also shares where remote sensing is improving fast—and why data sharing may be the biggest unlock for better, cheaper carbon accounting.


    “It’s not about eliminating all risks. It’s about understanding them so you can plan appropriately and put compensation mechanisms in place if disturbances do occur.”


    00:10 — Welcome to Forest Invest + today’s guest

    00:30 — Icebreaker: Susan’s favourite tree (and why caterpillars matter)

    01:16 — Who Susan is + her role at The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

    02:27 — What “reforestation” really means (working forests, conservation, agroforestry)

    03:05 — Applying science to forest carbon investment decisions

    04:43 — Durability 101: why risk varies by place, species, and project type

    06:36 — Mapping risk: likelihood, severity, and probability of regrowth

    09:00 — Social context: designing projects communities actually want

    10:12 — Project design for resilience: species choice, density, thinning, prescribed fire

    11:55 — Buffer pools: minimums vs risk-based contributions

    13:08 — Beyond buffer pools: trust funds, stacking strategies, “ton-year” approaches

    15:54 — Monitoring innovation: shifting from field plots to remote monitoring

    16:53 — Remote sensing challenges: uncertainty, benchmarks, and inconsistent methods

    20:08 — Terrestrial laser scanning: better carbon estimates (and how to use it wisely)

    22:08 — Data sharing as the big unlock (and reducing duplicated fieldwork)

    23:42 — Standards are evolving: learning fast without “throwing the baby out”

    26:44 — “Permanent” vs “durability”: making rules fit how forests really work

    29:40 — Portfolio thinking: balancing approaches across climate action

    32:21 — Output vs durability: designing for short-term volume or long-term resilience

    34:37 — Investor time horizons vs climate timescales (why storage years help)

    40:06 — Science in policy: how Susan’s work spans local to global decision-making

    42:19 — Carbon insurance: what it can teach us about actuarial risk in forests

    44:26 — What’s next: durability risk maps + Susan’s “magic wand” wishlist

    47:44 — Final takeaway: the greatest risk is inaction

    48:42 — One actionable advice for new forest investors

    49:28 — Where to learn more (LinkedIn + nature.org) + closing remarks

    50:12 — Outro: see you next time on Forest Invest


    Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink

    Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives


    Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud

    Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud

    Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

    Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min
  • Geopolitics, Nature Markets, and the Future of Sustainable Forestry — with Ross Hampton

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    ISFC


    Today, I’m joined by Ross Hampton, CEO of the International Sustainable Forestry Coalition (ISFC). In this conversation, Ross shares what he’s hearing from forest businesses and institutional capital as geopolitical volatility collides with the accelerating push toward a circular bioeconomy. We unpack why nature and climate are now inseparable on the global stage, what COP-level discussions are signaling for forestry, and why “a thousand flowers blooming” in biodiversity schemes is hindering a scalable market. Ross also walks through ISFC’s work with TNFD and the Capitals Coalition to standardize ecosystem services measurement—laying groundwork for investable nature markets—and offers practical advice for governments who have an important enabling role, and investors who want to be early movers in natural capital.


    “Philanthropy plays a role, governments play a role, concessional finance plays a role — but these are minuscule compared to the scale of the challenge. The only real answer is the markets. It’s the $250 trillion sitting in pension, insurance and superannuation funds that is looking for a good return and increasingly wants to be nature and climate smart.”


    1:29 – Ross’ background: politics/journalism → forestry, and why ISFC was created

    2:35 – ISFC scope: member footprint, countries covered, and why scale matters

    3:15 – Who ISFC represents: ownership structures across regions (investors, REITs, trading houses, integrated firms, quasi-government agencies)

    4:47 – ISFC mission: accelerating a climate- and nature-smart circular bioeconomy

    6:02 – The policy–finance disconnect: why capital isn’t linking to on-the-ground forestry needs

    7:31 – The four funding streams (philanthropy, government, concessional finance, markets) and why markets are the only scalable answer

    9:24 – Setting the stage: geopolitics and its impact on forest business/investment

    10:09 – Global signals from recent events: COP momentum and “climate + nature” convergence

    12:20 – The big project: working with TNFD + Capitals Coalition to measure ecosystem services

    13:46 – “A gazillion initiatives” problem: why fragmentation prevents real markets

    15:37 – What the project aims to prove: consistent measurement across global forest estates (7 ecosystem services)

    17:09 – Timeline and milestones: outputs aimed for COP 17 (Armenia) and COP 31 (Turkey)

    18:24 – Member sentiment (within limits): timberlands as a long-game, “stable island” asset class

    22:08 – Whole-forest value vs “back to basics”: why the shift beyond timber isn’t slowing

    23:41 – The “diamond in the rough”: externalising ecosystem services to unlock restoration at scale

    26:02 – Policy fragmentation: why nature markets don’t scale when governments go it alone

    27:08 – The hardest leap: paying for what used to be “free” (nature services)

    28:51 – Shadow pricing: nature value already showing up in estate pricing above stump value

    31:02 – Beyond measurement: enabling conditions governments must create (tech, incentives, stacking)

    33:43 – A counterintuitive principle: don’t only pay for “uplift” (avoid penalising good stewards)

    39:13 – Global South vs Global North: differing contexts, shared opportunity, where growth may happen

    43:38 – Where policy conversations get stuck: finance vs industry vs forestry/agriculture vs environment

    45:29 – Davos/WEF touchpoint: reception and momentum

    45:42 – Crystal ball: what’s next, and key 2026 moments (Japan, Climate Week NYC, COPs)

    48:10 – One actionable takeaway for new investors: lean into natural capital and nature markets early

    49:39 – Where to learn more: ISFC website + natural capital report


    Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink

    Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives


    Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud

    Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud

    Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

    Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min
  • From the vault: Sustainable Forest Management in Production Forests – with Marcos Wichert

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    Marcos on LinkedIn

    Indicators - Biodiversity | Stora Enso

    Biodiversity indicators for plantations - Biodiversity | Stora Enso

    Species Threat Abatement and Restoration (STAR) metric

    Investor News: Stora Enso partners with IUCN to advance positive impacts on biodiversity


    From the vault 🎙️

    In this rerun, Marcos Wichert, Vice President of Plantation Forest and Sustainability Management at Stora Enso, shares lessons from his global career across Brazil, China, New Zealand, and Finland. We explore how sustainable forestry must adapt to local ecosystems, regulations, and communities, from catchment-based planning and biodiversity KPIs to the realities of Eucalyptus. A practical, boardroom-level conversation on aligning forestry investments with climate, nature, and long-term value.


    “Sustainable forestry means managing commercial forests at a landscape level, with the catchment area as the key management unit to monitor and guide the impacts of forestry activities.”Harvest less than the forest grows each year, and that’s a basic principle of sustainable forestry."


    0:00 From the vault: sustainable forest management in production forestry

    0:40 Navigating ecosystem services, standards, and new tools in forest finance

    1:13 Marcos Wichert joins + “favourite tree” icebreaker (Araucaria angustifolia)

    1:44 Marcos’ career journey: Brazil → China → New Zealand → Brazil → Indonesia → Finland

    4:29 Defining sustainable forestry: core principles + landscape-level responsibility

    5:15 Catchment-based planning and hydrology as a sustainability foundation

    6:13 How sustainability differs by jurisdiction: Brazil vs China vs the Nordics

    10:07 Plantation vs semi-natural forests, certification realities, and investor considerations

    12:50 What investors should assess: FSC/PEFC, KPIs, monitoring, and traceable data

    16:15 Eucalyptus: myths, risks, and best practice (right species, right place)

    18:03 Water stability through age-class mosaics across a catchment

    22:14 Spatial vs temporal scales: compartments, estates, landscapes, and planning units

    24:01 EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR): traceability down to compartment level

    25:15 Why catchments matter for sustainability (especially for fast-growing species)

    29:08 Boardroom sustainability: clients, regulation, traceability, and “nature-positive” products

    31:11 The premium problem: paying for biodiversity and beyond-compliance actions

    32:30 Nature Positive Impact (NPI): targets, science partnerships, and biodiversity KPIs

    34:24 Public equities: what to look for in sustainability reporting + red flags

    37:06 Wrap-up: forestry’s role in climate + biodiversity solutions

    38:02 Where to find Marcos: LinkedIn + EUFRO work on automation and robotics

    38:51 Closing from Shauna Matkovich (Forest Invest)


    Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink

    Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives


    Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud

    Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud

    Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

    Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min
  • US Southeast Timberland Markets in Transition — A University Perspective with Erin Lincoln

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    Harley Langdale Jr. Center for Forest Business


    Today, I’m joined by Erin Lincoln, Director of the Harley Langdale Jr. Center for Forest Business at the University of Georgia, for an academic, data-driven look at what’s happening across timberland markets in the U.S. Southeast. Erin breaks down how hurricane impacts, permanent pulp and paper mill closures, and soft housing starts are reshaping demand for small-diameter wood—and what that means for landowners, communities, and investors. We explore where opportunity may emerge next, from bioenergy, carbon capture and storage, biochar, sustainable aviation fuel and natural capital themes, alongside the growing role of higher-and-better-use (HBU) revenue streams. Erin also explains how investor expectations differ across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, why reporting requirements are pinching TIMOs, and where AI could unlock new efficiency across forestry operations, compliance, and decision-making.


    Forestry is extremely data intensive, and AI has the potential to fundamentally change how we manage forests—from thinning decisions to trucking efficiency and compliance.


    00:00 Welcome to Forest Invest

    00:32 Erin Lincoln’s favorite tree (and why oaks matter)

    01:02 Erin’s career path and role at the Center for Forest Business

    02:10 Education, outreach, and research at UGA

    03:19 Why the program is known for forest finance and economics

    04:48 Setting the scene: the state of the US forest industry

    05:00 Mill closures in the Southeast and hurricane impacts

    07:12 Housing starts, inflation, and pressure on sawmills

    08:04 Declining paper demand and global competition

    09:09 Permanent mill closures and real estate constraints

    10:05 Downturns create opportunity: bioenergy, biochar, SAF

    11:39 Public perception of forestry and sustainable harvesting

    14:43 What investors should know right now

    14:56 Real estate, HBUs, and diversified revenue streams

    16:16 ESG, natural capital, and return expectations

    17:24 US vs European investor priorities

    18:41 Reporting burdens and pressure on TMOs

    20:06 Specialisation in a maturing timber investment market

    22:01 What future forest investment professionals care about

    23:52 Generational shifts in forestry careers

    25:56 Research priorities: natural capital and bioeconomy

    27:42 Measuring the full economic impact of forestry

    28:42 Key knowledge gaps in carbon and forest products

    30:04 The role of investors in shaping innovation

    31:04 Advice for young foresters choosing a specialty

    32:34 Why Erin is optimistic about the sector’s future

    33:31 Artificial intelligence in forestry and timber investment

    36:32 Where AI is already improving efficiency

    38:08 One actionable piece of advice for new investors

    39:18 Where to learn more about the Center for Forest Business

    40:01 Closing remarks


    Production team

    Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink

    Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives


    Sound library

    Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud

    Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud


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    41 min

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