The Forest Investment Manifesto 

100 Articles later – a Consolidation of The ForestLink’s beliefs on investing in forests sustainably  

Thirty years ago, this summer, I stepped into the woods with a new set of eyes. It was Meares Island, 1995 – two years after the Clayoquot Sound ‘war in the woods’ protests on the west of Vancouver Island that made headlines the world over. You can learn more about this important piece of Canadian forestry history here. I was a high school tourist following a guide through the rugged coastline and forest – being informed of the region’s rich ecological, cultural, economic and sociopolitical history. I had never been so eager to learn and understand. Until that point – I understood forestry, from a logger’s daughter’s perspective. To me, forestry was about my Dad’s job, which would keep him in remote logging camps in the unreachable corners of BC for up to a month at a time, bring him home with incredible stories of the wildlife he’d seen, the near misses he experienced and sometimes the actual injuries he incurred. But this was different. This new world stitched together a web of the rich science of forest ecology, indigenous culture, economics and environmentalism (and much more as I would come to learn). This single experience pulled me in like a magnet to a career in forestry – where I had always been interested in the web more than any one silo that makes up forestry. 

I won’t go on to explain the twists and turns in my career, as that’s not the purpose of this article, but maybe it helps you understand a bit where I’m coming from. You see, I’m at another milestone – albeit a way smaller and less significant one than the life changing experience on Meares Island, but I’m at a reflection point. This text that you’re reading marks the 100th article that I’ve written – and I wanted to do something different. 

As I set out to explore exactly what I thought that would be – a collection of lessons learned, an extraction of forest investment themes I’ve changed my mind on – what came to me was as natural as my career decision that summer day back in 1995. The Forest Investment Manifesto. 

Okay, yes it sounds a bit self-serving and evangelical – but for me forests are self-serving, and I know I’m not the only one. They serve on a personal and societal level, they serve the very planet we live on, and they serve the economic engine that fuels our growth – and they need capital, lots of it! This manifesto essentially captures my principles around forest investment and forms the foundation of the work that I do. But I write it in the form of the Royal We, because this is a philosophy for those who share these ideals.  

It’s about the web of the interconnectedness of forestry. Not just timber and industry, not just climate and nature, not just culture and jobs, not just investment capital – it’s about all of it.  

If after reading this Manifesto, you feel strongly for (or even against) anything I’ve written here, please be sure to reach out and share any key messages you’ve taken away while being on this journey with me. 

The Forest Investment Manifesto 

We believe in forests—not just as landscapes, but as living systems that sustain life, economies, and cultures. We invest in forests with purpose, knowing that they provide a wealth of benefits, and that responsible investment can unlock their full potential. We reject the notion that sustainability is a rigid standard; instead, we embrace the reality that sustainability must be adaptive, guided by the unique conditions of each forest. We break down silos, forging partnerships that transcend competing values to achieve a shared vision. We lead with knowledge, transparency, and a commitment to long-term stewardship. 

1. What is a Forest 

A forest is more than land. More than trees. More than the sum of its parts. While it may meet the UN definition—land spanning more than 0.5 hectares, with trees higher than 5 meters and a canopy cover exceeding 10 percent—a forest is far greater than this simple metric. It is a dynamic, interwoven system of biodiversity, where plant and animal life form relationships too complex for us to fully understand. It is a provider of goods and services that shape our world: wood products, clean air, climate regulation, water filtration, soil health, and biodiversity. It is a source of livelihood, culture, and recreation. Not all forests offer these benefits equally—some prioritize wood production, others biodiversity. We need them all. 

2. What is Forest Investment 

Forest investment is a commitment—of capital, of vision, of responsibility. It is the financing of activities that generate returns, whether financial, environmental, or social. Traditional financial returns arise from commodities such as timber or carbon credits. Impact returns—though less easily quantified—are no less vital, encompassing climate stability, ecological resilience, socioeconomic empowerment, and cultural heritage. These returns are not mutually exclusive. The greatest forest investments generate a diverse range of returns. 

3. What is Sustainable Forest Investment 

Sustainability in forest investment is not a checkbox—it is a spectrum. At a minimum, sustainable investment commits to doing no harm, ensuring that forests continue to provide goods and services for generations to come. At its best, it commits to making forests better, enhancing their capacity to deliver value over time. Investors play a direct role in sustainability, whether through ownership, stewardship, or engaging trusted managers. The defining principle: we do not support investments that result in deforestation or forest degradation. Instead, we recognize the uniqueness of each forest and tailor our approach accordingly. 

4. Achieving Maximum Value from Forest Investment 

Value is not one-dimensional. The worth of a forest investment is shaped by economic, ecological, climate, social, and cultural priorities. Maximum value is realized when we optimize the intersection of these benefits within our mandate. To achieve this, we must: 

• Set clear targets for the forest benefits we seek to achieve. 

• Measure the baseline condition of these benefits before or shortly after investing. 

• Identify risks—both to our objectives and the unintended consequences of our actions. 

• Apply best practices in sustainable forest management, tailored to each forest. 

• Monitor, report, and verify investment outcomes. 

• Adapt our strategies when risks materialize, or targets are not met. 

• Lead through transparency, sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration. 

5. We are Leaders in Sustainable Forest Investment 

We reject the idea that any one forest investor’s purpose is the right one. We embrace the reality that we need several approaches to sustainable forest investment, from capitalizing intensively managed plantations to untouched wilderness. We acknowledge that not all capital is suited to all forest objectives—some must prioritize fiduciary duty, while others are bound by conservation mandates. But instead of retreating into silos, we ask: How can our capital contribute to the greater web of forest benefits? 

We seek solutions. We build partnerships. We lead by example. We share knowledge and lessons learned, so others may join us on this journey. This is our commitment. This is our manifesto. 

Are you in the we of the Forest Investment Manifesto? 

If you are an Asset Manager and this manifesto resonates with the forest investment principles held by you and your organization, let’s have a conversation about how we can promote these objectives together.  

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