Investing at the Intersection of Traditional Forest Investment and Nature-Based Solutions - with Margaret Morales

This episode flips the usual format. Instead of hosting, I’m the one being interviewed by Margaret Morales during a live webinar, which is now being shared with you in this special release. We dive into the evolving landscape of forest investment, where carbon and timber strategies increasingly overlap with climate and impact goals. I share what I’ve learned from advising asset managers and project developers across geographies: from return expectations and capital stacks to risk mitigation and community engagement. If you're navigating nature-based solutions and forest finance, this conversation is full of practical insights.Quote"If you're not talking about risk early on, that’s a red flag. Every project has risk—it’s how you acknowledge and plan for it that matters."Useful resourcesMargaret Morales on LinkedInTrellis (the company where Margaret is a director)Alexandra Holmlund (Biodiversity credit methodologies)The ForestLink newsletter signupProduction TeamFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesTime Stamps[2:07] Shauna’s background – from forester to investment professional[4:11] Types of clients Shawna works with (traditional vs. new investors)[6:14] Return expectations in forest investments[7:38] Multi-revenue stream projects – timber + carbon[10:11] Carbon as a “sweetener” in early-stage projects[12:20] Timeline expectations – 10 to 15 years typical hold period[13:50] Explaining greenfield vs. brownfield forest projects[16:57] Growing interest from new climate-focused investors[18:47] Geographic trends in forest investments[20:40] Afforestation projects: high impact, high capital need[21:22] How developers can solve early-stage funding gaps[25:45] Typical capital stack in forest funds[27:40] Blended finance and concessional capital in forest investment[30:00] Why debt is rare in early forest projects[31:33] Biodiversity credits – demand, challenges & local approaches[34:44] Sustainable community credits & the role of community[36:49] What investors want to see on community engagement[37:09] Pure carbon funds – challenges and exit strategy concerns[40:53] Biodiversity credit methodologies (e.g. Alexandra Holmlund's work)[42:23] Carbon price projections – conservative modeling adviceSound LibraryNature 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.