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Aurora Sustainable Lands

Aurora on LinkedIn

Today, I'm joined by Cakey Worthington, Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Natural Capital at Aurora Sustainable Lands. In this conversation, Cakey explains how Aurora has evolved from a carbon-focused investment strategy into a broader natural capital approach—one that values biodiversity, water, recreation, and other ecosystem services alongside financial returns. We discuss why carbon stewardship is replacing carbon maximization, how active forest management can strengthen both ecological resilience and long-term investment performance, and what investors should look for when evaluating natural capital asset managers. Cakey also shares how Aurora integrates field data, AI, remote sensing, and biodiversity monitoring across 1.65 million acres of forestland and why partnerships, transparency, and measurable outcomes will shape the future of institutional forest investment.

0:00 – Intro & favorite tree (the American white oak)

2:48 – Cakey's background and Aurora's origin story

8:01 – Investor profile and company structure

10:49 – From carbon strategy to natural capital

13:27 – What "natural capital" signals for the industry

16:56 – Harvesting operations and the evolving carbon strategy

19:42 – What to look for in a natural capital asset manager

23:56 – Data collection and operational decision-making

32:03 – Ecosystem services: insurance, communities, and other stakeholders

33:23 – Carbon stewardship vs. carbon maximization

40:08 – Lessons from adaptive, landscape-scale management

42:44 – Combining field data, remote sensing, and AI for monitoring

50:56 – The ISFC Natural Capital Project

53:37 – Balancing commercial returns with ecological outcomes

55:50 – Optimism for the future of natural capital

58:46 – Advice for investors new to forest investment

59:44 – Where to learn more about Aurora Sustainable Lands

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.

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Scottish Woodlands

David Robertson on LinkedIn

Today, I'm joined by David Robertson, Director of Investment and Business Development at Scottish Woodlands. In this conversation, David provides an inside look at Scotland's commercial forestry sector, explaining how productive forestry, biodiversity, and climate objectives can work together rather than compete. We discuss Scotland's timber supply, afforestation ambitions, forest investment opportunities, and how the UK remains heavily reliant on imported wood products. David also shares his perspective on balancing timber production with carbon projects, the evolution of modern plantation design, and why productive forests remain critical to long-term climate and economic resilience. We explore the challenges of public perception, community engagement, and the realities of managing forests in Scotland's unique landscape and climate.

00:00 – Introduction and guest welcome

03:10 – David Robertson's background and Scottish Woodlands

06:07 – Scotland's forests: native vs commercial forestry

08:58 – Timber production, imports, and future supply challenges

11:15 – Government planting targets and afforestation ambitions

15:01 – Who invests in Scottish forestry?

17:13 – Timber production vs carbon projects

19:14 – Modern forestry: biodiversity and mixed-species planting

22:40 – Land ownership, leases, and carbon agreements

24:42 – Public access and Scotland's right to roam

26:57 – Community concerns and public perception of forestry

31:14 – Anti-forestry activism and the challenge of communication

32:48 – Why clear-cutting is still necessary in Scotland

39:17 – Changing public opinion through engagement

40:28 – Continuous cover forestry: opportunities and limitations

45:05 – The future of Scottish forestry over the next 20 years

48:38 – Advice for new forestry investors

50:57 – Where to learn more and 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.

The ForestLink newsletter sign-up

The Lyme Timber Company

Today I'm joined by Jim Hourdequin, CEO and Managing Director of The Lyme Timber Company, one of the pioneers of institutional timberland investing and impact forestry. As the company celebrates its 50th anniversary, Jim reflects on the investment philosophy that has guided Lyme since 1976 and explains why naturally regenerating forests create unique opportunities to deliver both attractive investment returns and meaningful conservation outcomes. We discuss how conservation easements have become a cornerstone of Lyme's strategy, why the firm invests beyond the forest gate into logging businesses and sawmills, and the opportunities and trade-offs presented by forest carbon markets. Finally, Jim shares why evergreen investment structures, patient capital, and investing in people are essential ingredients for building resilient forests—and resilient forest businesses.

00:00 – Introduction and Lyme Timber's 50-year anniversary

02:30 – Jim Hourdequin's background and the evolution of Lyme Timber

06:30 – Building a long-term investment philosophy in timberland

11:30 – Pioneering impact investing through conservation

17:00 – Conservation easements: how they work and why they matter

29:55 – Carbon markets: opportunities, limitations, and trade-offs

36:40 – Investing beyond forests: strengthening the timber supply chain

40:55 – Mechanized logging, safety, and innovation on steep terrain

45:05 – Addressing labor shortages and the future of forestry operations

47:45 – Lyme's new evergreen fund and long-term vision

51:45 – Advice for new forest investors and 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.