Forest Invest

The ForestLink newsletter signupGlobal Forest GenerationAcción AndinaFlorent Kaiser (LinkedIn)Earthshot PrizeIn this episode, I’m joined by Florent Kaiser, CEO of Global Forest Generation and co-lead of Acción Andina, winner of the 2023 Earthshot Prize. Florent shares how a grassroots movement born in the Peruvian Andes has evolved into a six-country restoration effort—reviving the world’s highest forests by combining Indigenous principles of Ayni (reciprocity) and Minka (collective service) with modern science, technology, and climate finance.We explore what authentic community engagement looks like in practice, how to balance trust and expectations in long-term partnerships, and why forest restoration must begin by listening—to people, to landscapes, and to water.Florent also outlines the next phase of Acción Andina’s mission: linking forest restoration and water security to attract new forms of capital, and inviting investors to build relationships rooted in dignity, co-ownership, and respect.Seeing tens of thousands of people planting trees together isn’t just ecological restoration — it’s an act of hope. It reminds us that working with nature unites us beyond economics or politics.Chapters[00:00] Welcome & introduction – Shauna Matkovich and Florent Kaiser (Global Forest Generation / Acción Andina) [01:00] From childhood curiosity to creating a global forest movement [03:00] Founding Acción Andina and Global Forest Generation [07:30] How Indigenous principles of Ayni and Minka guide restoration [12:30] What real community leadership and engagement look like [17:00] Winning the Earthshot Prize and what it means for restoration [21:30] Building trust and managing expectations with local partners [33:00] Linking forest restoration with water security and long-term finance [49:00] Blending ancient wisdom with modern tools and innovation [54:00] Advice for investors: visit, listen, and invest in relationshipsProduction teamFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesSound libraryNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud

The ForestLink newsletter signupThe Carbon ParadoxTerra Impact VenturesRenat HeubergerRenat Heuberger, CEO of Terra Impact Ventures and author of The Carbon Paradox, joins host Shauna Matkovich to explore why the forest carbon market is both vital and fiercely debated. He unpacks key paradoxes — from the “baseline” paradox that rewards past deforestation to the “leakage,” “control,” and “transparency” paradoxes that trap project developers between local realities, investor demands, and media scrutiny.Heuberger reflects on his exit from South Pole, the damage caused by polarised climate debates, and why scrapping REDD+ would mean abandoning the only proven tool to protect forests still disappearing today. Through his fiction-based narrative, he aims to reach readers outside the carbon bubble — including his 80-year-old mother — and believes the next wave of forest-climate leadership will come from students and founders ready to reshape the story.His message to investors: now is the moment to “buy the dip” in forest carbon — for those patient enough to ride out the noise.That’s already the first paradox we describe, right? Is it ethically correct to put a price on nature, to call forests an asset? … At the same time, if you are not giving a price to nature, then in a way its price is zero. And that’s already the first fundamental debate which has been going on in carbon markets for several years0:00 Intro – Welcome to Forest Invest0:19 Guest intro – Renat Heuberger, Terra Impact Ventures & The Carbon Paradox1:18 Origins – First encounters with deforestation in Indonesia2:25 Building South Pole and early carbon-market journey4:43 The first paradox – Putting a price on nature6:11 Why write a fiction-based book about carbon markets7:42 Writing for readers outside the climate bubble9:40 The power of storytelling over white papers10:40 Key paradoxes – Baseline, Leakage, Community16:00 The Control Paradox – Who really decides how forest funds are used22:31 The Ideologists Paradox – Attacks from left and right25:19 The Transparency Paradox – When openness invites criticism27:14 Meet the protagonists – Three students on a climate mission29:25 Reconciling forests as moral duty vs market asset33:04 New ideas – Pricing nature, not just carbon35:17 Political cycles, slow progress, and REDD+ lessons37:24 Rebirth of the Dream – Why narrative change matters39:30 Raising a questioning generation41:34 Leaving South Pole – What really happened45:25 Silver linings and new beginnings47:03 Who should read The Carbon Paradox – Greta Thunberg & President Prabowo49:50 Message to project developers – Hang in there51:23 Investor takeaway – “Buy the dip” in forest carbon53:00 Where to find the book & Renat’s workFounding Director/Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer/Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesSound LibraryNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud

The ForestLink newsletter signupREDD++ Business InitiativeTreeviveIn this episode, Shauna Matkovich speaks with Michel Schuurman, Director of Business Development at TreeVive and Chair of the REDD+ Business Initiative, about the slowdown in corporate demand for avoided deforestation credits and why REDD+ remains the most scalable, cost-effective way to protect tropical forests. Drawing on two decades in sustainability and climate finance, Michel explains how reputational risks and investment barriers are stalling progress, and why jurisdictional nesting alone won’t move fast enough. He outlines what high-integrity REDD+ looks like — community-driven design, FPIC, shorter MRV cycles, and national alignment — and calls for continued private-sector engagement.His message: don’t wait for perfection — keep REDD+ in the portfolio, or we lose forests faster than finance flows.Ask someone as a citizen if they would protect forests, and they’ll say yes. Ask them as a corporate communications officer if they’d invest in a REDD+ project, and they’ll say maybe — or no. That’s the gap we need to close.Chapters 0:23 Guest introduction – Michel Schuurman, TreeVive & REDD+ Business Initiative 1:26 Michel’s professional journey and path into forest carbon finance 5:15 Major shifts in forest carbon and avoided-deforestation markets 6:25 Role of the private sector vs governments and NGOs in forest protection 8:52 Why carbon remains the key measurable value metric 10:54 Challenges with valuing intact forests and improving REDD+ mechanisms 13:17 Overview of REDD+ Business Initiative report and its aims 17:01 Addressing media criticism and project integrity in REDD+ 19:26 What’s improving in methodologies and MRV tools 19:27 Three biggest financing gaps in forest protection 21:17 Corporate reputational risk and reluctance to engage 22:39 Policy and Article 6 uncertainty as a major barrier 24:33 Market slowdown and optimism for renewed momentum 26:15 What defines a high-integrity REDD+ project design 27:12 Community engagement, FPIC and benefit-sharing models 29:34 Technical integrity: baselines, MRV cycles, permanence and leakage 31:53 Investor profiles suited to REDD+ projects 33:00 Why institutional capital hesitates and the funding-size gap 35:49 Why capital isn’t flowing despite low ticket sizes 37:06 State of impact and philanthropic investment in REDD+ 38:13 Jurisdictional vs private-project approaches and time lags 40:22 How developers can de-risk and protect their projects 41:02 Emerging insurance and policy-risk products 41:40 Blended-finance tools to mobilize private capital 44:13 Final call to action – keep forest protection in portfolios 45:26 Role of media and balanced reporting 48:00 Closing remarks and where to find the REDD+ Business Initiative reportFounding 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/Soundcloud

Today, I’m joined by Niamh McCarthy, Senior Director of Climate-Related Risk, and Alexandre Köberle, Senior Fellow at Orbitas—an initiative of Climate Advisors. We explore their report Room to Grow: The Economic Case for Forest Restoration in Brazil, showing how climate transitions open new investment pathways in Brazil’s land economy. Orbitas’ scenario analysis quantifies financial risks and opportunities in forestry and agriculture, revealing a $141 billion restoration potential and 369,000 new jobs by 2050. Niamh and Alexandre share where large-scale restoration makes economic sense, how blended finance, green bonds, and carbon markets are evolving, and why local expertise and due diligence are vital for investors in Brazil.QuoteWhat’s exciting about restoration in Brazil is that it represents an investment opportunity that’s both profitable and a genuine climate solution. - NiamhBrazil could actually become a net negative emissions country, exporting negative emissions to the rest of the world — that’s how large the potential for carbon sequestration is. - AlexandreUseful ResourcesThe ForestLink newsletter signuporbitas.orgChapters[2:42] What Orbitas does — assessing climate-related risks and opportunities[6:21] Scenario analysis and transition risk explained[7:23] Using TCFD framework and standard terminology[9:22] Brazil report — “Room to Grow: The Economic Case for Forest Restoration”[10:08] Methodology and headline findings[11:27] Agricultural drivers and degraded pasturelands[12:23] Profitability and financing mechanisms[13:37] Political will and policy alignment in Brazil[14:43] Surprises and confirmations in the analysis[17:01] Why focus on Brazil versus other countries[19:15] Regional focus — where restoration makes most sense[21:19] Importance of the Amazon and Cerrado ecosystems[23:10] Hydrological and climate resilience links[26:14] Investment risk, transparency, and blended finance[30:35] Restoration archetypes and financing mechanisms[33:39] Emerging trends — agroforestry and new markets[35:35] Carbon markets, ETS, and biodiversity credits[39:12] How climate transitions affect profitability[42:29] Market proximity and economic feasibility[43:00] What investors should ask before investing[45:15] Importance of due diligence and local partnerships[46:10] Calls to action for government and corporations[48:49] Policy implementation and land governance challenges[50:30] Role of other stakeholders and communities[51:34] Ensuring fair distribution of returns[52:22] Corporate responsibility and supply chain influence[54:18] Profitability even without strong transitions[55:06] Final advice for new forest investors[57:10] Building trust and long-term partnerships[57:38] Closing thoughts and where to learn moreProduction TeamFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesSound LibraryNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

In this episode, Shauna is interviewed by Matthew Kristoff of the Your Forest Podcast. In this conversation, they talk about what it means to invest in forests today – starting with the basics. Can individuals invest in forests? What is the traditional timberland investment model, and why doesn't it fit in most of Canada? Shauna shares insights on how timber remains a key driver of forest investment returns, but that new investors are approaching the asset class as part of a broader strategy that also values biodiversity, carbon, and cultural outcomes. They explore how investors can begin to account for forest benefits that have historically been valued existentially rather than financially, from climate resilience to community well-being. The discussion touches on practical pathways for finance—such as Indigenous partnerships, accessing secondary markets like biomass for bioenergy, and fire risk mitigation—that could open new pathways for forest investment in Canada.QuoteTimber is still the backbone of returns, but today it has to be part of a broader strategy that values biodiversity, carbon, and cultural outcomes.Useful ResourcesThe ForestLink newsletter signupYour Forest PodcastChapters[00:11] Introduction by Shauna – framing forest investment basics[02:32] Matthew opens – news about the podcast winding down[04:55] Introducing guest Shauna Matkovich and The Forest Link[15:56] Putting a value on biodiversity and carbon[22:06] How timberland investment began and pension fund role[29:42] Beyond carbon credits – biodiversity and risk reduction strategies[33:44] Partnerships and aligning different capital objectives[37:12] Timber, biodiversity, and investor–manager roles[42:03] KPIs and impact pathways for investors[44:28] Linking financial and ecological objectives[52:58] Public vs private land investment opportunities[01:17:51] Spectrum of investors – safe returns vs impact[01:24:00] How forest investment might change management in 30–50 years[01:31:44] Final reflections – facilitators of change and investor roles[01:33:01] Closing thanks and outroProduction TeamFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesSound LibraryNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Virginia Dale, Research Professor at the University of Tennessee, about forest bioenergy, biomass energy, and sustainable forest management. We explore how post-harvest waste, sawdust, and rejected logs can be transformed into biomass pellets that generate renewable energy while lowering wildfire and insect risks. Virginia explains why the carbon footprint of bioenergy depends on the carbon cycle, landscape scale, and timeframe. We also discuss bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), certification standards, and transparent monitoring to strengthen trust. The conversation highlights economic opportunities for rural communities, the challenges of inland transport, and the limits of bioenergy when it fails to meet sustainability goals.QuoteOpportunities for bio-energy include reducing wildfire and insect risks, supporting renewable energy markets, and strengthening regional economies.Useful ResourcesThe ForestLink newsletter signupDr. Virginia Dale's University of Tennessee profileChapters[00:00] Introduction and welcome [00:36] Virginia Dale’s favourite tree and climate change insights [01:21] Academic background and path to mathematical ecology [02:26] Why bioenergy is central to her work [03:01] Bioenergy basics and the value chain from forest to grid [05:24] Forest residues, sawdust, and rejected logs explained [06:03] The controversy around bioenergy and carbon accounting [09:21] Species protection, biodiversity, and sustainable forestry practices [11:14] Perceptions, policy gaps, and the reputation of bioenergy [12:30] Where critics have valid concerns and the role of monitoring [14:00] Rural jobs, pellet mills, and environmental justice issues [15:47] Climate benefits, carbon cycle, and wildfire risk reduction [19:51] Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) [20:53] Social and economic impacts for local communities [23:37] Forest owners, smallholders, and certification challenges [27:00] The issue of unloved wood and the role of sustainable aviation fuel [30:15] Opportunities for bioenergy in sustainable forest management [31:56] Indirect land use change and food security concerns [34:39] The role of ecological models in decision-making [35:15] Investor perspective: bioenergy as part of forest investment [37:56] Constraints facing the bioenergy industry [40:44] Final advice for new forest investors [41:40] Where to find Virginia Dale’s research [42:35] Closing remarks and outroProduction TeamFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesSound LibraryNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

Danan Margason, Founder & CEO of Aarden AI, joins me in conversation to explain how their platform helps Timberland Investment Management Organizations (TIMOs) and natural capital managers find the highest and best use of land. From geospatial AI and NPV/IRR scenarios to conservation, carbon, solar, and data centers, we explore where it works best, where it’s less effective, and why better data boosts liquidity and attracts new capital to forests. Danan shares how integrating biodiversity and community indicators can inform trade-offs and what he’s seeing with early beta clients ahead of Aarden’s launch this autumn.Quote“Properties with multiple use cases will command premium prices as more buyers recognize value streams beyond timber.”“Bringing more data and transparency to land will increase liquidity, drive better financial returns, and improve sustainability outcomes.”Useful ResourcesThe ForestLink newsletter signupAarden AIChapters [1:17] Danan’s journey – from law, real estate & tech to forestry and carbon credits [3:34] Founding story – why landowners need better tools for highest and best use [4:15] Lifecycle of land investments – strategy, acquisition, management, exit [5:41] How Aarden supports TIMOs & institutional capital [6:29] Alternative uses – carbon credits, conservation, data centers, even space launchpads [8:03] Valuation methods – geospatial data, historical comps, forward NPV/IRR [10:29] Platform limits – rigid fund structures vs flexible mandates [12:13] Blending timber, solar, and sustainability goals [13:19] Modeling biodiversity & carbon credits with scenario planning [15:25] Data inputs – species indexes, water quality, jobs, and more [16:55] Technology shift – AI enabling richer, faster land insights [17:44] Breaking silos – moving beyond single-use forestry models [21:05] Focus on the U.S. market – early days, next Canada, then global [22:12] Platform demo – natural language map queries & scenario testing [23:53] Opportunity scoring – blending multiple land-use returns [25:12] Innovations – talking to maps and valuation modeling [26:43] Scaling regionally – from parcels to counties to states [28:33] Future feature – scraping public land listings for deal flow [30:39] Forestry software gap – why land lags other asset classes [33:24] Ideal use cases – institutional landowners, portfolio optimization [34:52] Less useful – narrow timber-only mandates or very small owners [35:24] Looking ahead – how tools like Aarden could transform forestry [39:05] Advice for new forest investors – financial + environmental returns [40:52] Where to learn more – Aarden.ai, climate week, CanopyProduction TeamFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesSound LibraryNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

Michael Schmitt, Director of Sales & Marketing at Air Burners, explains how air curtain burners provide a safer, low-emission alternative to slash burning and wood chipping. We cover innovations like the BurnBoss and CharBoss, which help the US Forest Service and landowners turn forest residues into biochar, cut wildfire risk, and even generate on-site electricity. Michael shares case studies from wildfire recovery, disaster zones, and private forestry, showing how this technology creates new value streams and supports sustainable forest management.Quote"The air curtain traps smoke particles for fractions of a second, causing them to reburn. That secondary burn reduces the smoke so much that it often just looks like heat waves leaving the firebox."Useful ResourcesThe ForestLink newsletter signupAir BurnersChapters[0:12] Welcome and guest introduction[0:32] Michael’s favourite tree[1:08] What Air Burners does[2:25] Who uses air curtain burners[3:02] Work with US Forest Service[3:37] Development of the BurnBoss[5:17] From BurnBoss to CharBoss[6:00] How the technology works[7:48] Types of wood waste handled[9:19] Emissions and comparisons[12:17] Drivers behind biomass reduction[14:21] On-site power generation with BioCharger[16:42] Emissions testing and regulation[17:20] Transportation and cost savings[19:00] Case study: vineyard owner in California[20:50] Air Burner Certified Contractors (ACCs)[21:05] Biochar benefits and crop results[24:03] Biochar and carbon credits[25:49] Logistics and market access for biochar[27:38] Air Burners in wildfire-prone regions[31:07] Limitations and site requirements[33:29] Case study: PG&E wildfire mitigation[36:23] Air Burners in disaster recovery[38:08] Advice for new forest investors[39:51] Where to learn more about Air Burners[40:45] Closing remarksProduction TeamFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesSound LibraryNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)