BNP Paribas Asset Management (BNPP AM) and the International Woodland Company (IWC) have joined forces to acquire the first two investments for the BNP Paribas Future Forest Fund, across 8,550 hectares of sustainably managed timberland in the US.
The partners said the acquisitions mark “a major step forward” in the fund’s commitment to addressing the growing demand for timber, generating long-term financial value for its investors, and contributing to tangible climate and conservation benefits.
The fund’s first acquisition is a 3,550ha FSC-certified timberland property located in Southwest Maine. BNPP AM said this asset offers a diversified and ecologically valuable forest composition, “with strong potential for both steady income generation and long-term capital appreciation through active, sustainable management”.
This first asset contains a mix of commercially valuable tree species, including spruce-fir, white pine, and northern red oak for both immediate harvesting opportunities and long-term forest productivity.
Beyond timber income, the asset offers alternative revenue streams through potential recreation leases, eco-tourism initiatives, and participation in voluntary carbon markets, the manager added.
The fund’s second acquisition comprises 5,000 hectares of high-quality timberland across Southeast Alabama and Mississippi. BNPP AM said this investment is structured to deliver both near-term cash flow and long-term forest asset growth, supported by climate-resilient management.
Erik Anderzén, fund manager of the BNP Paribas Future Forest Fund, said: “These foundational acquisitions demonstrate the fund’s strategic focus on high-quality, productive forest assets that align financial performance with environmental responsibility. By investing in sustainably managed forests, we aim to provide our investors with nature-based solutions that drive long-term value and measurable climate impact.”
Robert-Alexandre Poujade, biodiversity lead at BNPP AM and member of the investment committee of the BNP Paribas Future Forest Fund, added: “Our partner IWC is bringing the strategy to life with a strong commitment to sustainability.
“The first dedicated actions have been carefully crafted alongside site-specific monitoring protocols to enhance forest resilience, habitat quality, and carbon storage in both assets.”
In addition to the two US acquisitions, the BNP Paribas Future Forest Fund has two other timberland assets under contract in New Zealand, pending Overseas Investment Office approvals, totaling 1,200 hectares.
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