World Forestry Center’s signature Timberland Investing conference reimagined.
September 23 & 30, October 7, 14, 21, & 28, 2020
Missed the 2020 Event?
No problem! For a reduced rate, you can pay for access to episode recordings, event proceedings and attendee list, select breakout presentations, and more.
For questions about what is available for purchase, contact Vivian Bui at vbui@worldforestry.org.
Title Sponsors
President’s Club Corporate Members
Who Will Own the Forest: The Series 2020
New Virtual
Format
Real-World
Relevance
Innovation & Inspiration
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, World Forestry Center has reimagined our signature Timberland Investing conference. Who Will Own the Forest: The Series 2020 is made up of six 75-minute live-streamed episodes, featuring can’t-miss speakers and live Q&A on a variety of timely topics, followed up by hosted interactive breakout socials.
Confirmed Speakers: Dr. Clark Binkley (International Forestry Investment Advisors), Craig Blair (RMS), Dr. Thomas Easley (Yale School the Environment), Timothy Fritzinger (Brooknoll Advisors), Karim Khalifa (Sidewalk Labs), Spencer Meyer (Highstead Foundation), Jeff Nuss (GreenWood Resources), William Sonnenfeld (WillSonn Advisory), Zack Parisa (SilviaTerra), Douglas Reed (Green Diamond Resource Company), Bob Saul (Fiera Comox), Joe Taggart, (LandVest), Dr. Court Washburn (Hancock Natural Resource Group), Liz Willmott (Microsoft).
September 23 & 30, October 7, 14, 21, & 28, 2020
10:00 am – 11:15 am PDT
Interested in sponsoring?
Who Will Own the Forest: The Series 2020 offers multiple promotional opportunities and benefits for Sponsors, including unlimited registration passes, recognition in promotional emails, acknowledgements in each episode during the entire 6-week run, opportunities to host a breakout session, and advertising in digital proceedings.

See Who’s Speaking
This year’s virtual Who Will Own the Forest event features some of the leading voices in Timberland Investment, Forestry, and Technology.
Agenda
1. The Reunion: A Talk With Industry Veterans on Timberland Investing
September 23, 2020
Industry veterans reunite for a broad discussion of how the forest asset class has evolved over the years. How has timberland’s performance fared, what major trends should investors understand, and where do they see the sector going?
- Dr. Court Washburn, Hancock Natural Resource Group
- Dr. Clark Binkley, International Forestry Investment Advisors
- Moderator: Timothy Fritzinger, Brooknoll Advisors
2. The US South Timberland Conundrum: Two Takes on the Value Proposition
September 30, 2020
After a decade of flat performance, how does one make the case to invest in timberlands in the U.S. South? What strategic factors drive an investment in the U.S. South versus other regions? Where are the opportunities?
- Douglas Reed, Green Diamond Resource Company
- William Sonnenfeld, WillSonn Advisory
- Moderator: Joe Taggart, LandVest
3. A More Equitable, Inclusive, and Diverse Timberland Investment World: How to Move from Interest to Action
October 7, 2020
Dr. Thomas Easley will host an interview with Jeff Nuss, Greenwood, and Craig Blair, RMS, on the timberland investment world’s building interest in equity, inclusion and diversity, and how action can be taken today to build a better timberland investment future.
- Host: Dr. Thomas Easley, Yale School of the Environment
- Jeff Nuss, GreenWood Resources
- Craig Blair, RMS
4. Artificial Intelligence and Forest Management
October 14, 2020
How innovative AI and aerial imagery can be combined to survey forests, transforming how landowners and conservationists can measure and monitor forests.
- Zack Parisa, SilviaTerra
- Liz Willmott, Microsoft
5. Mass Timber and the Future
October 21, 2020
How new investments in the development of a mass timber manufacturing sector in North America could fundamentally shift current assumptions for building materials and construction.
- Karim Khalifa, Sidewalk Labs
6. The Future for Timberland Investing: A Conversation
October 28, 2020
Climate risk and reward: regulation, responsibility, and the reality of the fiduciary challenges in the decades ahead.
- Bob Saul, Fiera Comox
- Spencer Meyer, Highstead Foundation
Breakout Sessions
After watching the pre-recorded episodes and participating in the Q&A, participants can join any of these smaller, interactive Breakout Sessions to network and discuss a wide range of topics.
September 23, 2020
Leveraging the US Trillion Trees Movement to Energize Forest Carbon Gains
Jad Daley, American Forests
The Forest Resilience Bond: A Unique Investment Partnership
Nick Wobbrock, Blue Forest
Drones in the Forestry Industry: Why the Industry is Embracing Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Grant Guillot, Adams and Reese
Mitigating Financial Losses from Climate Change: Risks for Timberland Owners
Phil Cottle, ForestRe
September 30, 2020
Impact of COVID-19 on Forestland Owners Objectives
Brent Keefer, American Forest Management
Forest Inventory: Don’t Make a Deal Without It!
Reggie Fay, Mason, Bruce & Girard
Impact of COVID-19 on Wood Product Markets
Brendan Lowney, FEA
October 7, 2020
Challenges and Opportunities of Managing a Family-Owned Timberland Company in 2020
Scott Griffin, Superior Pine Products Company
Housing Starts & Genetics….Connecting the Dots
John Pait, ArborGen
October 14, 2020
Top 10 Predictions for the Industry
Peter Coutu, Forest2Market
Social Impact of Investing in Forest Lands
John Pierce and Gwen Williamson, Perkins Coie
The COVID Diaspora: Lasting Impacts to Timberland and Real Estate Markets
Joe Taggart, LandVest
Managing Risks of the ESA to Privately Owned Forests: The Wildlife Conservation Initiative
Jimmy Bullock and Victoria Lockhart, Resource Management Service
October 21, 2020
Prospects for Timberland Investment in the 2020s
Keith Balter, Hancock Natural Resource Group
An Economic Update
Kevin Depew, RSM
October 28, 2020
Will Eyes in the Sky Replace Boots on the Ground?
Albrecht von Ruffer, SKYLAB
India Wood Markets: Relevance to North American Forestry
Jacob Mannothra, Zindia Limited
Investing in North American Hardwoods: Challenges, Innovations, and Opportunities
Jim Hourdequin, The Lyme Timber Company
Managing Wildfire Risk in Today’s Insurance Environment
Michael Cooper and George Dahduh, Molpus Woodlands Group
Continuing Education Credits:
- Society of American Foresters: 7.5 Category 1 SFE contact hours
- Oregon Certified Public Accountants: 9.0 CPE general review credit hours
- Oregon State Bar: 7.5 MCLE general credit hours
- Oregon Appraiser Certification and Licensure Board: 9.0 general credit hours
Thank you to our Organizing Committee:
- Clark Binkley, International Forestry Investment Advisors, Committee Co-Chair
- Jim Hourdequin, The Lyme Timber Company, Committee Co-Chair
- Gwen Busby, GreenWood Resources
- Carter Coe, Chinook Forest Partners
- Tiffanie Starr, Timberland Investment Resources
- Joe Taggart, LandVest
- Marshall Thomas, F&W Forestry
Questions? Email World Forestry Director of Professional Programs, Sara Wu at swu@worldforestry.org.