Podcast
Forest Invest
Hosted by Shauna Matkovich · EN
Meet experts in forest investment from different corners of the forestry asset class. From investors to entrepreneurs, market players to service providers. Tune in to hear stories from the trenches, insights and best practice guidance to build your toolbox for creating profitable and impactful forest investments.
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17episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Generation Forest with Andreas Eke
1w ago01:00:57Tap to summarizeDISCLAIMER: This podcast is not an endorsement for this opportunity, nor is it an investment recommendation or investment advice.Send an email to sdm@theforestlink.com to learn how to applyWatch on You TubeThe ForestLink newsletter sign-upGeneration ForestGeneration Forest on LinkedInThe Ask: $25M USD to acquire land in Panama and establish more permanent, productive biodiverse forests in PanamaToday on Pitch Pod, I’m joined by Andreas Eke, CEO of Generation Forest Invest. In this conversation, Andreas presents Generation Forest’s approach to building permanent, productive, biodiverse forests in Panama through a combination of land acquisition, native species reforestation, carbon finance, and long-term timber management. We discuss how the model is designed to generate returns from both timber and premium-priced carbon credits, while restoring degraded cattle land into permanent forest assets. Andreas explains the organization’s cooperative and institutional investment structures, the role of carbon pre-sales in financing expansion, and the strategy behind building a 50,000-hectare forest corridor supporting biodiversity, watershed protection, and rural livelihoods. We also explore the operational realities of managing mixed-species forestry, land acquisition due diligence, and why biodiversity and permanence may become increasingly important drivers of long-term forest value.Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesSound LibraryEcology-Agriculture-Environment via PixabaySign 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.
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TRAILER Pitch Pod: Forest Investment Opportunities & Nature-Based Solutions Pitches
2w ago00:02:23Tap to summarizewww.youtube.com/@Resources_TheForestLinkThe ForestLink newsletter sign-upPitch Pod is the new spin-off from Forest Invest, hosted by Shauna Matkovich, showcasing investment-ready forest and nature-based solutions opportunities.Each episode features a project pitch followed by a practical Q&A exploring strategy, impact, scalability, and commercial potential, giving investors, founders, and practitioners a behind-the-scenes look at real-world nature finance deals.New episodes drop alongside Forest Invest, with video versions available on YouTube.Pitch Pod is an awareness platform only and does not provide investment advice or endorsements.Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesSound LibraryEcology-Agriculture-Environment via PixabaySign 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.
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How Symbiosis is Building Demand for High-Integrity Forest Carbon
3w ago00:50:13Tap to summarizeThe ForestLink newsletter sign-upSymbiosis CoalitionToday, I’m joined by Julia Strong, founder and executive director of Symbiosis Coalition. In this conversation, Julia explains how buyer-led demand can help scale high-integrity forest carbon projects and mobilize capital into nature-based carbon removal. We talk about the role of long-term offtake agreements, the quality criteria Symbiosis uses to evaluate developers, and the common reasons projects fall short in the RFP process. Julia also shares what investors and project developers need to understand about readiness, benefit sharing, and the future of forest carbon as an investable asset class.“Carbon finance is one of the most promising tools that we have in our toolkit to mobilize billions of dollars for nature, climate, and people. It hasn’t yet lived up to its potential, and that was a key reason for starting Symbiosis.”00:13 Introduction to Forest Invest00:34 Julia Strong’s favourite tree01:21 Julia’s background and the launch of Symbiosis03:13 Sending a clear demand signal for high-integrity carbon removals04:17 The four core components of Symbiosis05:20 Unlocking capital through buyer confidence and quality07:17 The 20 million ton commitment by 203009:42 What makes a developer a good fit for Symbiosis 12:17 How developers can access the Symbiosis RFP 14:42 The chicken-and-egg problem in project finance 17:03 Symbiosis quality criteria and project evaluation 24:01 How the RFP process can help shape the market 25:23 Symbiosis’ role after offtake agreements 26:39 Common reasons projects do not advance 31:01 Why pilots and local track records matter 32:16 Bridge capital and the valley of death 35:01 How long the diligence process can take 37:53 Living Carbon and Mombak project examples 41:27 Building a diversified carbon removal portfolio 43:47 How to accelerate buyer demand 47:09 What is next for Symbiosis 48:00 Advice for new forest investors 49:28 Where to learn more about Symbiosis 49:57 Closing thoughts from Shauna MatkovichFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient 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.
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How BIOFIN is tackling the biodiversity finance gap
Apr 2700:54:51Tap to summarizeThe ForestLink newsletter sign-upBIOFINToday, I’m joined by Abbie Trinidad, Anabelle Plantilla, and Niran Nirannoot from the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), a UNDP-led programme now active in 131 countries. In this conversation, we explore how BIOFIN is tackling the biodiversity finance gap through practical ecotourism and conservation finance models in the Philippines and Thailand. We discuss community-led approaches in Sibalom Natural Park, tourist user charges and coral reef restoration on Koh Tao, and mangrove conservation in Phetchaburi. Along the way, we examine what it takes to attract private sector interest into biodiversity projects, the importance of policy and local institutions, and why conservation is increasingly an economic issue as much as an environmental one."Conservation is not just an environmental issue, it is actually an economic one" - Anabelle00:05 – Intro & BIOFIN guests00:36 – Favourite trees (icebreaker)01:48 – What is BIOFIN?05:53 – Why private investment matters07:56 – Biodiversity investment opportunities09:13 – Philippines: Sibalom Natural Park12:11 – Community ecotourism model18:36 – Early biodiversity outcomes23:15 – Carbon credits & policy gaps29:24 – Thailand: Koh Tao case32:29 – Tourist fee & fintech system39:00 – Impact: waste & coral recovery42:03 – Mangroves, co-investment & carbon48:36 – Key challenges & investor mindset52:55 – Final takeaway: nature as investmentFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient 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.
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Industrial Buyers in European Forest Investment - with Jyri Hietala and Tapani Pahkasalo
Apr 2000:41:12Tap to summarizeThe ForestLink newsletter sign-upCapMan Natural CapitalToday, I’m joined by Jyri Hietala and Tapani Pahkasalo, Managing Partner and Co-Managing Partner of CapMan Natural Capital. In this conversation, we discuss CapMan’s approach to active forest investment management across Europe and unpack the recent sale of a Baltic forest portfolio to Inter IKEA. Jyri and Tapani explain how they build institutional-scale portfolios, create value through forest management, renewable energy, and other ecosystem services, and position assets for different buyer profiles at exit. We also talk about what this transaction may signal for the future of European forest investment. From industrial demand for long-term wood supply to the growing importance of biodiversity, carbon, and natural capital value creation, this episode explores why high-quality forestry assets are attracting attention from both financial and strategic buyers."You need to understand who your future buyers are—financial, strategic, or impact-driven—because the way you structure your assets today, including contracts and value streams, can directly influence your exit opportunities.” - Jyri"This transaction is a strong example of building an industrial-scale portfolio and finding the right buyer who understands the value created—not just in timber, but across the entire asset, including sustainability and long-term management.” - Tapani0:11 Introduction to the episode0:20 Meet Jyri Hietala and Tapani Pahkasalo from CapMan Natural Capital0:37 Favorite trees: pine and cork oak1:46 Guest backgrounds and introductions3:52 Why Dassos joined CapMan7:07 CapMan Natural Capital’s investment approach9:37 Value creation beyond timber12:46 Current investment markets in Europe13:40 The Inter IKEA transaction14:35 How the Baltic portfolio was built17:34 Previous owners and local forest management20:12 Why Inter IKEA was the right buyer21:22 What made the transaction successful23:19 What the deal signals for European forestry25:09 Forest health, bark beetles and wood supply27:00 Industrial buyers and vertical integration29:05 Biodiversity and ecosystem services31:15 How buyer types shape portfolio strategy37:02 Offtake agreements and exit flexibility38:03 Why Europe remains attractive for investors39:32 Advice for new forest investors40:29 Where to learn more about CapMan Natural CapitalFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient 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.
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The Cumberland Forest Project with Greg Meade
Apr 1300:45:34Tap to summarizeThe ForestLink newsletter sign-upNatureVest (The Nature Conservancy)The Cumberland Forest ProjectBlended FinanceToday, I’m joined by Greg Meade, Cumberland Forest Project Director at NatureVest. In this conversation, Greg explains how the Cumberland Forest Project was structured as a closed-end private investment fund designed to put conservation and community outcomes on equal footing with financial return. We talk about blended finance, sustainable timber harvesting, carbon offsets, conservation easements, renewable energy, and the project’s community fund in rural Appalachia. Greg also shares what NatureVest has learned from building this model, how the fund is performing relative to US timberland benchmarks, and what investors and forest managers can take away from this whole-forest-value approach.“What makes this project different is that we didn’t treat conservation as an add-on—we embedded it directly into how the asset operates, which allowed us to attract concessional capital and approach forest management in a fundamentally different way.”00:12 – Introduction to Forest Invest 00:34 – Greg Meade’s favorite tree: sourwood 01:32 – Greg Meade’s background in forestry 03:07 – What NatureVest does 03:30 – Overview of the Cumberland Forest Project 04:38 – Fund assets and geography 05:51 – Blended finance and concessional debt 09:49 – Who invested in the fund 11:54 – How the project differs from traditional TIMOs 13:27 – Exit strategy and protecting long-term impact 15:48 – Forest management and revenue streams 18:05 – Community fund and local economies 20:41 – Mineral royalties and reclaimed coal revenue 23:35 – Revenue diversification across the portfolio 26:21 – Investor concerns about geographic concentration 27:40 – Local staff and operational setup 29:54 – Impact outcomes achieved so far 33:37 – Financial performance 34:06 – Lessons learned 38:32 – Advice for replicating the model 40:40 – What’s next for NatureVest 43:37 – Advice for new forest investors 44:52 – Closing remarks Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient 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.
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The State of British Columbia Forestry - with David Elstone
Apr 600:53:53Tap to summarizeThe ForestLink newsletter sign-upSpar Tree GroupToday, 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 Matkovich0:53 David Elstone on his background and Spar Tree Group3:08 The current state of the forest sector in British Columbia4:42 Why BC matters in global wood markets10:23 Log exports, mill closures, and domestic demand19:45 Internal versus external pressures on BC forestry25:28 Key actors and the biggest challenges facing the sector28:48 Policy changes and old-growth deferrals34:15 Conservation, wildfire, and active forest management38:17 Private timberland, AAC, and structural change in BC42:13 Where private investors may still find opportunity47:07 What would make BC forestry more investable and competitive50:32 Why there is no single fix for the sector51:39 David Elstone’s advice for new forest investors52:53 Where to learn more about Spar Tree Group53:37 Closing remarks with Shauna MatkovichFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient 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.
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Building Biodiversity Credit Markets from the Ground Up - with Manesh Lacoul
Mar 3000:48:51Tap to summarizeThe ForestLink newsletter signupBiodiversity Credit AllianceKratom treeToday, 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 Matkovich1:14 Manesh Lacoul on his role at the Biodiversity Credit Alliance3:30 The key actors shaping biodiversity credit markets5:58 What success looks like: integrity, inclusion, equity, and innovation7:17 Lessons biodiversity markets should learn from carbon markets12:44 Inclusion and equity across different local contexts15:37 Market readiness on the buy and sell side19:00 Why buyer integrity matters as much as supplier integrity24:47 How current biodiversity credit buyers are approaching the market26:52 Where biodiversity credit activity is emerging globally28:58 The EU roadmap for nature credits31:14 Biodiversity stacked on carbon credits32:31 Biodiversity credits versus payment for ecosystem services35:04 How new buyers, investors, and developers can get started37:58 Why there are so many methodologies and whether consolidation will happen41:01 High-level principles, assessment tools, and comparability frameworks44:10 Why growing government involvement is encouraging46:02 Advice for forest investors and the role of biodiversity credits in production forests48:21 Where to find Biodiversity Credit Alliance resources48:36 Closing remarks with Shauna MatkovichFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient 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.
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Tele-operated Forestry Operations with Merritt Jenkins
Mar 2300:36:21Tap to summarizeThe ForestLink newsletter signupKodamaToday, 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 OutroFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient 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.
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Drone Reforestation at Scale: How Ki Reforestation Is Restoring Burned & Remote Forests in Canada with Trevor Grant
Mar 1600:46:51Tap to summarizeThe ForestLink newsletter signupKi ReforestationKi 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 Invest0:20 Sponsor spotlight: Ki Reforestation1:01 Meet Trevor Grant, Founder and CEO of Ki Reforestation1:12 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 involvedFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient 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.
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