Episodes

  • Conserving US Working Forests with Mission-First Capital - with Matt Purdy

    Conserving US Working Forests with Mission-First Capital - with Matt Purdy
    Jan 26 2026
    The ForestLink newsletter sign-upThe Conservation FundToday, I’m joined by Matt Purdy, Director of Forest Investments at The Conservation Fund, a national nonprofit focused on conserving land in the U.S. while strengthening local communities and economies. In this conversation, Matt explains how their Working Forest Fund protects large, productive forests in perpetuity by taking conversion off the table—often through conservation easements designed specifically for sustainable timber management. We unpack how The Conservation Fund acts as a bridge owner for public agencies and land trusts, what their capital stack looks like (including low-cost debt and a green bond), and why they always underwrite multiple pathways to a conservation outcome. We also dig into how carbon projects fit into their model, including their first issuance under ACR’s IFM 2.1 “removals-only” methodology, and the trade-offs of financing conservation without “turning off the saws.” Finally, Matt shares what’s changing in private capital—from mission-aligned family offices to corporate partners like Apple, and why mill closures remain one of the biggest risks to working forests and forest-based livelihoods. Most investors look at conservation easements after they’ve exhausted every other revenue source. For us, the conservation easement is the first thing we underwrite.”“We’re very aware that turning off the saws can hurt communities. Our goal is to balance carbon projects with continued harvesting so forests remain working forests.”00:00 Welcome to Forest Invest00:31 Matt Purdy’s favourite tree and personal background01:19 From timber cruiser to Director of Forest Investments02:27 What is The Conservation Fund and its dual mission03:52 What does “working forest” really mean?05:39 Conservation easements and permanent forest protection06:09 The bridge-ownership model explained09:06 Managing risk with multiple conservation exit paths10:09 Capital stack, low-cost debt, and green bonds11:25 Two conservation pathways: public ownership vs private resale12:30 How The Conservation Fund compares to other nonprofits14:16 NGOs vs TIMOs: mission-first vs return-first investing17:43 Plantation forests, natural forests, and partner priorities18:58 Conservation easements as an investment tool20:03 Carbon projects and Improved Forest Management (IFM)21:00 Balancing harvests, carbon, and community livelihoods23:24 ACR IFM 2.1 and removals-only carbon credits24:20 Inside their first IFM 2.1 project27:04 Working with private capital and mission-aligned investors29:30 The Apple co-ownership deal explained32:18 Corporates vs institutional investors: key differences35:35 Opportunities and challenges for conservation ownership41:07 Mill closures and risks to forest-based livelihoods43:10 What’s next for The Conservation Fund44:41 One piece of advice for new forest investors46:57 Where to learn more and 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/SoundcloudSign 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.
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • 10 most downloaded episodes

    10 most downloaded episodes
    Jan 19 2026
    https://theforestlink.com/podcast/Quarlbo BiodiversityXilvaGresham HouseNew ForestsSFMAborcrest InvestmentsAarden AICE Events and MediaMEAGBTG Pactual Timberland Investment GroupIn this special start-of-year episode, Forest Invest looks back at the 10 most downloaded conversations of all time and distills the most powerful insights from global leaders in forest finance, natural capital, biodiversity markets, and climate-positive investing.From biodiversity credits and due diligence frameworks to timberland strategy, land use optimisation, and the future of nature-based investments, this episode brings together the ideas that resonated most with listeners and continue to shape the sector.If you’re investing in forests, natural capital, or climate solutions in 2026, this is your essential recap and inspiration to start the year informed and motivated.00:00 Welcome to Forest Invest & Season 300:45 Why this episode: Top 10 most downloaded insights01:10 #1 Biodiversity credits explained: conservation, restoration & diversified forest management03:05 #2 Due diligence in forest investment: impact, risk, and scalability08:34 #3 Long-rotation forestry, climate risk, and timber demand11:40 #4 Open-ended forestry funds and long-term stewardship14:01 #5 Scaling plantations through landowner partnerships18:13 #6 Why forestry is misunderstood as an asset class21:39 #7 Breaking silos in land-use and investment decision-making24:45 #8 The disconnect between biodiversity supply and demand28:56 #9 How natural capital fits into institutional portfolios30:46 #10 Land sparing, conservation design, and nature-positive outcomes32:48 Key takeaways from the top 10 episodes33:06 Invest in forests & 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/SoundcloudSign 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.
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Returns from Restoring the Forest Soil Microbiome – with Josh Parrish of Funga

    Returns from Restoring the Forest Soil Microbiome – with Josh Parrish of Funga
    Dec 8 2025


    The ForestLink newsletter sign-up

    Funga

    Josh Parrish (LinkedIn)


    Today, I’m joined by Josh Parrish, Chief Growth Officer at Funga.

    Josh explains how restoring the forest soil microbiome with native mycorrhizal fungi can meaningfully improve tree survival and boost growth rates in intensively managed Southern pine plantations, without relying on synthetic inputs.


    We explore the science and technology behind Funga’s approach, including DNA sequencing, machine learning analysis of fungal communities, nursery inoculation methods, and large-scale field trials across 12 US states. Josh also explains why degraded below-ground biodiversity is one of the most overlooked risks in modern forestry and long-term forest investment.


    Josh shares early evidence showing up to 30 percent gains in productivity, outlines Funga’s carbon removal business model, and describes how their 30-year lease structure works for landowners. We end with a discussion about what high-profile carbon removal buyers such as Netflix may signal for the future of regenerative forestry and nature-based climate solutions.


    After a harvest, we see about a 75% reduction in below-ground biodiversity in these pine systems" ... “What we’re targeting—and seeing—is approximately a 30% lift in productivity over time from restoring the microbiome.


    Chapters

    00:00] Intro and welcome

    [00:19] Meet Josh Parrish, Chief Growth Officer at Funga

    [00:32] Favourite tree: the white oak

    [02:01] Josh’s background and journey to Funga

    [04:16] What is the forest soil microbiome?

    [04:42] Mycorrhizal fungi explained

    [07:11] Why below-ground biodiversity matters

    [08:22] Why nobody talks about soil health

    [09:48] Technology behind Funga’s approach

    [11:00] What happens to forest soils after harvest

    [14:14] Risks of a degraded microbiome

    [16:19] How landowners can assess soil health

    [17:25] How Funga inoculates seedlings

    [18:25] The nursery partnership and process

    [21:10] How prescriptions for inoculation are created

    [23:11] How to identify inoculated roots

    [24:02] Control vs. inoculated seedlings

    [27:00] Early results and productivity gains

    [29:45] Restoration vs synthetic inputs

    [30:19] Funga’s business model

    [31:56] The 30-year carbon lease

    [33:02] Carbon methodology and enhanced sequestration

    [37:02] Partnership with Netflix

    [40:02] Scaling awareness with landowners

    [41:32] What’s next for Funga

    [43:31] Advice for new forest investors

    [44:36] Closing


    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


    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.
    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • Development Finance for Emerging Market Forestry – with Anton Timpers of FMO

    Development Finance for Emerging Market Forestry – with Anton Timpers of FMO
    Dec 1 2025


    The ForestLink newsletter sign-up

    Anton Timpers (LinkedIn)

    FMO


    Today on Forest Invest, I am joined by Anton Timpers, Manager of Agriculture, Food and Forestry at FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank.

    Anton explains how FMO approaches forestry as part of its wider agribusiness and sustainable land-use strategy. We discuss how the bank invests across the full forestry life cycle, from early-stage plantation projects to mature industrial forestry in emerging markets. Anton also outlines why FMO continues to support sustainable plantation forestry as a cornerstone of the future bio-based economy.


    We explore the role of blended finance and concessional capital in crowding in private investment, and how development finance institutions can help reduce risk in frontier and emerging markets. Anton highlights the environmental and social safeguards FMO applies to avoid deforestation, ensure certification, and prevent greenwashing in forestry projects.


    Anton also shares FMO’s ambition to invest up to 1 billion euros in forestry and sustainable land use by 2030. We talk about the challenge of finding truly bankable forestry projects in fragmented markets across Latin America, Africa and Asia, and what potential investees need to have in place before approaching a development finance institution like FMO.


    We are convinced about the opportunities in emerging markets, and we hope that with global supply shifting, people will consider these locations more seriously.

    Chapters

    [00:23] Meet today’s guest: Anton Timpers (FMO)

    [00:34] Favourite tree

    [01:02] Anton’s background and intro to FMO

    [02:05] Building FMO’s forestry focus

    [02:33] What makes FMO’s approach unique

    [03:58] Investing across the asset maturity spectrum

    [04:45] Co-investors and partners

    [06:03] Appetite from commercial investors

    [06:32] Plantation forestry vs natural forests

    [08:20] Conservation, restoration and carbon risks

    [10:13] Safeguards, certification and due diligence

    [11:29] Why forestry moved into the agri team

    [13:04] Standards, safeguards and risk frameworks

    [14:26] FMO’s €1 billion forestry goal

    [15:53] Main obstacles and fragmented markets

    [17:49] Industrial demand and medium-sized enterprises

    [20:01] Illegal logging and market realities

    [21:47] Small global community of forestry investors

    [23:21] What potential investees should know

    [25:14] What to prepare before approaching FMO

    [27:07] Direct equity vs fund-led co-investments

    [27:50] COP discussions, pledges and Brazil focus

    [29:39] Carbon credits, accounting and market gaps

    [31:03] Positive momentum from COP

    [32:06] Geographic focus: LatAm, Africa, Asia

    [33:29] Concessional capital and early-stage funding

    [35:36] How to approach FMO with an opportunity

    [36:00] Final reflections

    [36:11] Actionable advice for first-time forest investors


    Production team

    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

    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.
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • A Social Impact NZ Forest Carbon Investment Model – with Blair Jamieson

    A Social Impact NZ Forest Carbon Investment Model – with Blair Jamieson
    Nov 24 2025


    The ForestLink newsletter signup

    Tāmata Hauhā

    Blair Jamieson on LinkedIn


    We’ve proven that it works — that you can invest in Māori land, generate real returns, and create meaningful change.


    In today’s episode, I’m joined by Blair Jamieson, CEO and Co-Founder of Tāmata Hauhā, a New Zealand–based company leading the way in Māori land investment, carbon forestry, and sustainable land-use transformation. Blair shares how his background in government shaped the creation of this mission-driven organisation, which helps Indigenous Māori landowners unlock economic opportunities by developing under-utilised land into long-term, intergenerational assets that generate both social impact and financial returns.

    We explore the realities and complexities of Māori land ownership and why building trust requires what Blair calls a “thousand cups of tea” approach — patient, relationship-centred engagement grounded in cultural respect. Blair explains how Tāmata Hauhā blends cultural integrity with commercial pragmatism, collaborating with more than 70 Indigenous groups to establish forests that deliver economic, community, climate, and biodiversity benefits.

    Blair also breaks down New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS), offering rare insights into how this compliance-based carbon market provides credibility, transparency, and liquidity unmatched by most voluntary carbon systems. We discuss the company’s investment model, expected returns, and its expansion into the Chatham Islands, where carbon forestry is reshaping remote communities and supporting nature-based climate solutions.


    Chapters

    00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

    00:23 – Meet Blair Jamieson & Tāmata Hauhā

    01:21 – What the Company Does

    02:25 – Blair’s Background in Government

    03:17 – Forestry as an Economic Enabler for Māori Land

    04:12 – Working with 70+ Indigenous Groups

    05:05 – Community Impact & Commercial Returns

    06:11 – Māori Land Ownership Explained

    09:39 – The “Thousand Cups of Tea” Approach

    12:39 – Māori Leadership Within the Company

    14:29 – History of Radiata & NZ Forestry

    17:35 – Moving Beyond Pine Monoculture

    20:06 – Nurse Crops & Native Regeneration

    22:27 – NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Overview

    24:30 – How NZU Compliance Markets Work

    31:51 – Carbon Prices & Market Dynamics

    33:38 – Investment Model Explained

    35:26 – Chatham Islands Projects

    39:35 – Māori vs Moriori: Cultural Context

    41:48 – Main Risks: Politics, Not Integrity

    45:12 – What’s Next for Tāmata Hauhā

    47:17 – Scaling & International Interest

    47:51 – Final Advice for New Forestry Investors


    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

    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.
    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • Restoring the Andes: Global Lessons from Ancient Wisdom – with Florent Kaiser

    Restoring the Andes: Global Lessons from Ancient Wisdom – with Florent Kaiser
    Nov 17 2025

    The ForestLink newsletter signup

    Global Forest Generation

    Acción Andina

    Florent Kaiser (LinkedIn)

    Earthshot Prize


    In 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 relationships


    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

    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.
    Show More Show Less
    58 mins
  • The Carbon Paradox – with Renat Heuberger

    The Carbon Paradox – with Renat Heuberger
    Nov 10 2025
    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/SoundcloudSign 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.
    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
  • REDD+ Under Pressure – with Michel Schuurman

    REDD+ Under Pressure – with Michel Schuurman
    Nov 3 2025

    The ForestLink newsletter signup

    REDD++ Business Initiative

    Treevive


    In 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 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

    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.
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins