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Forest Invest

Forest Invest

By: Shauna Matkovich
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 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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Shauna Matkovich Economics Personal Finance
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.
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    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
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