We invite you to join the Forest Research Institute, Dr David Brand, plus an expert panel, to discuss 'Forestry in a nature-positive economy.'
Is investing in nature good business? Hear how forests, farms, and conservation land are becoming valuable assets for a sustainable future. Discover how global investors are driving change, and the opportunities this creates for Australia’s climate, biodiversity, and economy.
Hosted at UniSC's Moreton Bay campus, this event will be an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues in industry, government, research and academia working towards nature-positive solutions in the forestry sector.
Our expert panel includes:
- Professor John Herbohn, Director, Tropical Forests and People Research Centre (UniSC)
- Steve Walker, Principal, Terrafolia Advisory
- Associate Professor David Lee, Forest Research Institute (UniSC)
- Dr Alexandra Catling, Tropical Forests and People Research Centre (UniSC)
Meet our keynote speaker, Dr David Brand
Dr David Brand has over 40 years’ experience in forestry investment, forest management, science, and public policy. He was the founder and former Executive Chair and CEO of New Forests. New Forests, founded in 2005, is a sustainable forestry investment manager offering leading-edge strategies in forestry, agriculture, and conservation with more than $11.5 billion in assets under management across 4.3 m hectares in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, SE Asia and Africa.
Previously, David was responsible for investment programs that integrated forest management with emerging environmental market opportunities at Hancock Natural Resources Group (HNRG). Before joining HNRG, David was the Executive General Manager of State Forests of NSW where he led pioneering transactions in the commercialisation of environmental markets. From 1985-1995 David worked with the Canadian Forest Service as a scientist, director of scientific programs, and ultimately as national Director-General of Science and Sustainable Development. He is currently the inaugural Chair of the International Sustainable Forestry Coalition and is a member of the Advisory Board of the World Bioeconomy Forum. David has a PhD in forestry from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of Toronto in Canada.
Dr Brand will present: Forestry—A Natural Capital Asset Class
Forestry, agriculture and nature conservation areas are increasingly seen as natural capital assets, integrated within a landscape context and providing sustainable food and materials to society while also helping address issues related to climate change and biodiversity.
Many institutional investors, including pension funds, superannuation funds, insurance companies and sovereign wealth funds, are seeking investments and asset classes that can help create an economic pathway to decarbonisation and becoming nature positive. Forestry and other land managers are seeing this as an opportunity to reconceptualise the role of forestry and wider land management in society.
This lecture will focus on how investors are perceiving the natural capital investment opportunity and explore how new investment strategies are being designed. The presentation will also explore some of the positive implications and opportunities in this transition for Australia.
Event schedule
6pm – Doors open for coffee, tea, nibbles
6.30pm – David Brand presents: ‘Forestry–A Natural Capital Asset Class’
7pm – Expert panel session
7.30pm – Audience Q&A
7.45-8.30pm – Drinks, food and networking
Questions?
Email FRIAdmin@usc.edu.au
Event contact
Alicia Brown, Senior Forest Research Communications Officer
Email: abrown6@usc.edu.au
Phone: 0401 432 231
