From acacia forest plantations to tropical forests - ForestFinance

Page created by Jane Turner
 
CONTINUE READING
From acacia forest plantations to tropical forests - ForestFinance
EN_brochure_GA_screen_2019_Jaguar_2011 28.01.2019 15:33 Seite 1

    All information as of January 2019

                                                                               Investment with a contract term of only seven years

                                                                               From acacia forest plantations
     Photo: feller, unsplash

                                                                               to tropical forests

                                                                                                     jaguar
                               Since October 2018 ForestFinance is certified
                               by FOCUS-MONEY, a German top business
                               magazine, as one of the best investment                  Direct forest investments with a short contract term
                               companies in Germany.
                                                                                        and sustainable commitment
From acacia forest plantations to tropical forests - ForestFinance
EN_brochure_GA_screen_2019_Jaguar_2011 28.01.2019 15:33 Seite 2

                                                                                    We are building forests – join us!
                                                                                    More and more people look for investments          are managed in an ecologically sustainable
                                                                                    that are based on real assets and generate         way. Sustainably managed forests are beco-
                                                                                    sustainable returns without relying on stock       ming more significant and their products
                                                                                    markets and speculation. This applies to           more valuable. Due to their key roles as an
                                                                                    forest as a real asset. Its monetary value is      ecological energy source, wood supplier,
                                                                                    based on renewable raw materials, which            gene pool for plants and animals, their air
                                                                                    are in great demand. It does not rely on           and water filtering functions, forests will
                                                                                    expectations placed on stock exchanges or          become more important and commercially
          Top: Row for row, the first year acacia seedlings stand in the sandy     on virtual profits from bets on the financial      valuable.
           savannah soil. Their ability to enrich the soil with nitrogen and to
                                                                                    market. ForestFinance has been building
           aerate it with their roots is a precondition for new mixed forests.
           Top left: The lush green of the acacia leaves is evidence of the en-     forests for almost 25 years. Join us               The ForestFinance Group stands for sustainable
           vironmentally friendly organic fertiliser that is individually produ-    and plant acacia trees in Colombia with us:        forestry with a decades-old tradition that is able
           ced for the soil by experienced forest managers.                                                                            to provide the industry with raw materials. Our
           Top right: Richard Focken, manager in the ForestFinance Group             GreenAcacia Jaguar areas in Colombia have
           and Petra Kollmannsberger, Managing Director Latin America, are                                                             GreenAcacia forest plantations are particularly
                                                                                     already been reforested with Acacia man-
           impressed by the excellent growth of the almost two year old aca-                                                           suitable for the step-by-step transformation into
                                                                                     gium trees in 2012. The investment also in-
           cia trees.                                       Photos: ForestFinance                                                      a biodiverse mixed forest.
                                                                                     cludes the forestry management.

                                                                                    GreenAcacia Jaguar creates a real asset, the raw   Regions in northeastern Colombia have been
                                                                                    material wood, which is efficiently processed      deforested for several hundred years, resulting
                                                                                    and used. This is a proven business model in       in nutrient-deprived soils. The tree species Aca-
                                                                                    a market with a high demand for biomass            cia mangium is very well suited for reforesting
                                                                                    and premium woods.                                 these areas, as it greatly improves the quality of
                                                                                                                                       the soil. This species accumulates nutrients and
                                                                                    Sustainably managed forests become more
           Content                                                      Page                                                           protects and cleans the soil, making it the per-
                                                                                    significant and their products more
           We are building forests – join us!                               2                                                          fect tree for the intermediate step to renatura-
           Colombia as a location for new forests                           3
                                                                                    valuable.
                                                                                                                                       tion or near-natural forestry management. In
           Our offer at a glance                                            4
                                                                                    Since 1960, the global consumption of wood         addition to efficient timber production, Acacia
           Yield development model and forecasts                            5
                                                                                    has increased continuously, resulting in a         mangium provides habitats for numerous na-
           Risks – in all frankness                                         6
                                                                                    large gap between supply and demand. This          tive plant and animal species, filters water, and
           Economic, ecological and social sustainability                   8
           Our concept – your benefit                                       9
                                                                                    high demand can not be satisfied without           has a positive influence on the global climate by
           Project areas chosen for a biodiversity study                  10        the unsustainable and partially criminal ex-       storing CO2.
           The right conditions for good teamwork                         11        ploitation of natural forests. Wood from plan-
           Imprint – contact information                                  12        tations can play a crucial role in easing the
                                                                                    pressure on rainforests, if these plantations

                                                                                                                                                                        2   GreenAcacia Jaguar
From acacia forest plantations to tropical forests - ForestFinance
EN_brochure_GA_screen_2019_Jaguar_2011 28.01.2019 15:33 Seite 3

                       jaguar

            Colombia as a location for new forests
             Colombia is the third largest economy in            In the long run, however, this method severely
             South America, ranking 40th worldwide.              harms the soil through erosion.
             Above all, the Colombian economy is stimu-
             lated by an increasing domestic demand and          To stop this development, the Colombian
             high foreign direct investments. Free trade         government has been promoting reforesta-
             agreements with the USA, the EU and Ger-            tion projects in Vichada: by now, more than
             many further boost economic growth.                 60,000 hectares of forest plantations have
                                                                 been reforested with mostly tropical pine
              The new inner stability and safety makes                                                            An Ara sighted in the region in Colombia where the ForestFinance forest
                                                                 trees, Acacia mangium or jatropha plants.        plantations are planted.
              this booming country even more attractive
                                                                 160,000 more hectares of forest plantations
              for foreign investors.
                                                                 in the region are to be established by 2019.
             Over the past ten years, the whole environ-
                                                                 These are excellent conditions for investors
             ment, in particular the safety situation, has
                                                                 in particular as the technical knowhow in
             constantly improved in Colombia, resulting in
                                                                 forestry is on a high level.
             a positive impact on the development of agri-
             culture and forestry. In the years to come, the     The ForestFinance areas, including the
             Colombian government is planning to unlock          twelve hectares of GreenAcacia Jaguar, are
             the forestal potential of 1.3 million hectares of   situated close to the Orinoco river. The river
             land. New forest projects are promoted by           banks provide a refuge for many plants and
             means of tax concessions grants for forest          animals, which helps the ecosystem and in-
             certifications.                                     creases the biodiversity in this region.

                                                                                                                                                                                           
             The Colombian government supports refore-                                                            The Acacia mangium forest plantations are located in eastern Colom-
                                                                 The whole GreenAcacia area has a great bio-
             station projects bei offering technical assis-                                                        bia, in a region where several forestry companies are already opera-
                                                                 diversity potential, which will help us regrow   ting. Many animals live on these areas, such as the Ara chloroptera
             tance and economic incentives.
                                                                 mixed forests in Vichada within the next 50      (top picture).
             Situated on the edge of the “Llanos” (plains) of    to 100 years.
             east Colombia, Vichada is the second biggest                                                         We keep bee colonies in our forests in Colombia, not only to pollunate
                                                                                                                                                                                           

             province of the country. Most of the approxi-                                                        the plants, but also to produce honey, which is sold on site.
             mately 70,000 inhabitants are fishermen, far-                                                        Photos: ForestFinance

             mers or cattle breeders who live in the wide and
             sparsely populated areas. Many forests have
             been, and to some extent still are, destroyed
             by the slash-and-burn method in order to gain
             farmland. The ash remains on the soil and
             improves the growing conditions for food
             plants for a short period of time.

            GreenAcacia Jaguar   3
From acacia forest plantations to tropical forests - ForestFinance
EN_brochure_GA_screen_2019_Jaguar_2011 28.01.2019 15:33 Seite 4

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Jaguar

                                                                                           Our offer at a glance

                                                                                           Investing in GreenAcacia Jaguar means investing in an existing Acacia mangium plantation in
                                                                                           Colombia, which was already reforested in 2012, with a contract term of only seven years.

                                                                                          GreenAcacia Jaguar: investment overview

                                                                                            Contract term Investment                                      Returns (IRR*) Payouts                                      Forestry concept

                                                                                            approx. 7                  € 2,125 (0.25 ha)                  approx. 5.0 %             one final payout at               Acacia forest plantations are
                                                                                            years,                     € 4,150 (0.5 ha)                   approx. 5.4 %             the end of contract               gradually converted into
                                                                                            until 2025                 € 6,175 (0.75 ha)                  approx. 5.5 %             term                              mixed forests
                                                                                                                       € 8,200 (1 ha)                     approx. 5.6 %

                                                                                           *IRR (Internal Rate of Return) is a method of dynamic investment calculation which is used to calculate the average annual return.

                A one year old Acacia mangium tree on our forest areas in Colom-
                                                                                               GreenAcacia Jaguar consists of two independent                                    vice provider. It is up to the provider to choose the
                 bia. The acacia trees grow remarkably fast. After only one year, the
                                                                                               contracts: a property lease contract and a forestry                               harvest time to ensure the best economic and
                 trunk is already too thick to be grasped by hand and has a height
                                                                                               service contract.                                                                 forestal outcome.
                 of two to three metres. Despite its rapid growth acacia wood is
                 quite hard and robust and shows a fine and shiny surface which is
                 very popular with furniture manufacturers. If acacia trees are                The calculated returns in approximately year seven                                Please see pages 6 to 7 for more information
                 harvested in early stages they end up as wood chips in the paper              (see page 5) are based on projected timber sales                                  on risks and safety concepts.
                 industry.                                    Photo: ForestFinance             that are scheduled and organised by our forest ser-

             Acacia mangium growth data of the Jaguar area reforested in 2012
                                                                        Tree height (in metres)

                                                       14.00

                                                       12.00
             Tree height (in metres)

                                                       10.00
                                                                                                                                             Good growth                                          In June 2016, about four years after the planting of
                                                                                                                                             Medium growth                                        the acacia trees, the first measurements on the
                                                        8.00
                                                                                                                                                                                                  forest area “Jaguar” showed good results regarding
                                                        6.00                                                                                 Low growth
                                                                                                                                                                                                  height of trees and timber volume.
                                                        4.00                                                                                 2016 measurement
                                                        2.00                                                                                                                                      Compared to similar plantings, the timber volume
                   0.00                                                                                                                                                                           was within a good range, the height of the trees
             Age of tree
             Baumalter:                                                                                                                                                                           even exceeded comparable figures.

                                                                                                                                                                                                  New measurements are scheduled for the end of
                                                                  Timber volume/area (in cubic metres)                                                                                            2018. Our investors will find the latest results in our
                                                                                                                                                                                                  growth and activity reports.
                                                       250.00
                Timber volume/area (in cubic metres)

                                                       200.00
                                                                                                                                                                                                  Illustration: 2016 monitoring data/ForestFinance
                                                                                                                                               Good growth
                                                       150.00
                                                                                                                                               Medium growth
                                                       100.00                                                                                  Low growth
                                                                                                                                               2016 measurement
                                                        50.00

                                                         0.00
                                                    Age of tree
                                                   Baumalter:                                                                                                                                                                     4     GreenAcacia Jaguar
From acacia forest plantations to tropical forests - ForestFinance
EN_brochure_GA_screen_2019_Jaguar_2011 28.01.2019 15:33 Seite 5

                        Jaguar

            Yield development model and forecasts for GreenAcacia Jaguar
            Calculation parameters: harvest yields and prices for biomass and timber

             Area                 Expected       Expected share of              Price per m3                 Expected share of             Price per m3 timber Total proceeds at the end of     Return
                                  harvest yields biomass                        biomass                      timber                                            contract term less harvest costs (IRR*)

             0.25 ha                  55 m3           65 %                      approx. € 30                 35 %                           approx. € 137                approx. € 3,000                               approx. 5.0 %
              0.5 ha               110 m3             65 %                      approx. € 30                 35 %                           approx. € 137                approx. € 6,000                               approx. 5.4 %
             0.75 ha              165 m3              65 %                      approx. € 30                 35 %                           approx. € 137                approx. € 9,000                               approx. 5.5 %
                1 ha              220 m3              65 %                      approx. € 30                 35 %                           approx. € 137                approx. € 12,000                             approx. 5.6 %

                                                                                                          *IRR (Internal Rate of Return) is a method of dynamic investment calculation which is used to calculate the average annual return.

            Investing in GreenAcacia Jaguar means investing in a natural raw                                            We consider the scenario shown above to be the most realistic
            material. Thus, the success depends on natural factors such as the                                          expectation. However, changing factors such as harvest yield,
            climate, soil, etc., which have an influence on the timber quantity                                         quality and prices can lead to different results. Upward and
            and quality as well as on proceeds from sales that can be achieved                                          downward shifts are possible.
            on the market. Every change of one of the calculation parameters
            (such as harvest yield, quality and price) has an influence on the
            total result.

            The yield forecasts are based on future assumptions, especially on                                           Please note: our yield and return forecasts are regularly adjusted to current market
            subjective goals regarding the future development of the harvest                                             developments. Not only to better inform people interested in our investments but
                                                                                                                         also because we include current market data and real experiences in our calculations.
            quality and sale prices for biomass and timber, which are naturally
                                                                                                                         For this reason, you may find deviating calculations and return forecasts in different
            linked with uncertainties.                                                                                   publications. All of our calculations in this brochure are based on a euro exchange
                                                                                                                         rate of 1.10 US dollars.

                 The limited amount of twelve hectares of GreenAcacia Jaguar is located in this area in                  "Colombia from above": you will find more information on our reforestation projects in Colombia in
                 Vichada, Colombia.                                                                                      this film. Visit our media library at: www.forestfinance.com/media-library

            GreenAcacia Jaguar    5
From acacia forest plantations to tropical forests - ForestFinance
EN_brochure_GA_screen_2019_Jaguar_2011 28.01.2019 15:33 Seite 6

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Jaguar

            Risks – in all frankness
            GreenAcacia Jaguar is a direct investment in                     Every person interested should consider this                     direct forest investments in the EU.
            the raw material timber. The economic result                     aspect in the process of decision-making.
            is not certain yet and can only be forecast.                                                                                      As one of the first German providers we have
            There are no guarantees for those forecasts.                     At the ForestFinance Group, we respond to those                  already repeatedly distributed returns to our
            An investment in GreenAcacia Jaguar is no deposit                risks with our long-term experience and numerous                 customers gained from harvesting and selling
            banking. This means there is no deposit insurance                successes as a provider of forest investments:                   timber from ForestFinance forests.
            like there is for bank deposits. Therefore, this direct          our forests are partly more than 20 years old
            investment is linked to significant risks and can even           and       with       over       19,000        customers,
            lead to the total loss of the invested capital.                  we are among the leading providers of

              Risks                                                                                                                           Safety measures

              Firstly, there are natural risks such as natural disasters, fire and pests, which have a significant influence on proceeds from    We rely on efficient measures that have proven them-
              sales due to their impact on the harvest quantity and quality of the timber. Please see next page for a risk analysis.          selves for more than 20 years.

              There is no trading market comparable to the securities market (restricted fungibility). Thus, a premature, individual sale     We help investors and work together towards the best
              of the investment is not guaranteed and could be linked to significant financial losses.                                          possible solution.

              The financial situation of ForestFinance could influence the capability of ForestFinance to deliver the forestry service and      In the course of two decades, we have proven our
              management as agreed upon in the contract during the contract term, which could impact the harvest quantity                     efficiency. The business reports with audited balance
              and quality.                                                                                                                    sheets are published annually.

              Currency fluctuations could have an impact on the payout of harvest returns.                                                     You are investing in the real asset wood. For the
                                                                                                                                              most part, its value is independent from worldwide
                                                                                                                                              exchange rates.

              The political situation in Colombia and possible political distortions in Latin America should be mentioned, as well. It can    We closely observe the developments in Latin America
              not be ruled out that such developments could complicate or even prevent the access to the forest areas and their               and are able to react to them together with our long-
              management.                                                                                                                     term partners on site.

               Trust through transparency:
               At www.forestfinance.com, you will find                       statement of ForestFinance. In our activity
               information on our work and the quality                       and forestry reports, you can inform yourself
               management as well as up-to-date                              about the corporate environmental footprint
               reports. We annually publish business                         or the developments and activities in your
               reports including information on the si-                      forest areas. We always provide the newest
               tuation and the corresponding evaluation,                     figures and data of your forest for you in our
               outlooks and goals as well as the financial                   customer area.

                                                                                                                                             Our investors can watch their own forest grow in our customer area.

                                                                                                                                                                                           6     GreenAcacia Jaguar
From acacia forest plantations to tropical forests - ForestFinance
EN_brochure_GA_screen_2019_Jaguar_2011 28.01.2019 15:33 Seite 7

                      jaguar

                                                            Probability of occurrence and safety measures
                                                              Risks that are, in the opinion of the forestry ma-                   forestry manager, most likely. Even if the
                                                              nager, linked to the investment, are classified in                   forestry manager has taken all measures to
                                                              the following scheme under the aspects risk iden-                    ensure the economic success of the invest-
                                                              tification, probability of occurrence, extent of                     ment, damages that could lead to a total loss
                                                              damage and risk management. Each risk is                             of the investment cannot be ruled out
                                                              attributed with the risk classes high, average or                    entirely.
                                                              low. These are the risks that are, according to the

            Risks                  Storm                            Fire                            Pests                          Timber prices                   Mismanagement
            Risk identification     Heavy storms, hurricanes         Forest fire during dry season    Strong infestation, e.g. by    Strong fluctuation               Flaws in the forest
                                                                                                    Gusano Mariposa (a leafea-                                     management
                                                                                                    ting worm), Comegen
                                                                                                    (wood worm) or Hormiga
                                                                                                    Arriera (leaf-eating ant)

            Probability of         Low; up to now, only 1.4 % Average; up to now twice in           Low for strong infestation;    Average; there are strong       Low; there are hardly any
            occurrence             of the total ForestFinance  six years due to lightning           pests occur but are control-   fluctuations on the interna-     reference values available,
                                   acacia forest plantations   strikes                              led immediately with ade-      tional markets, when single     constant improvement
                                   have been affected by wind-                                       quate measures                 events such as strong storms    process since 2006
                                   throw; heavy storms are not                                                                     in Asia result in a temporary
                                   known in this region                                                                            oversupply of certain kinds
                                                                                                                                   of timber

            Extent of damage       High; no damages known up High; losses up to now                 High; up to now no dama-       Average; since the time of      High; flaws or lack of
                                   to now                    below one hectare out of               ges known in a radius of       harvest is not set, price       knowledge of forest
                                                             3,500 hectares (0.03 per               60,000 hectares                fluctuations can be              manager can have negative
                                                             cent loss in eight years)                                             addressed flexibly               impact on growth; no
                                                                                                                                                                   known damages up to now

            Risk management        Establishment of the fincas       Round the clock fire patrols     Regular control by a forest    The forest companies in the     ForestFinance areas are
                                   in regions where there are       on site by our employees;       pathologist (“forest           region are planning their       considered prime examples
                                   no tropical cyclons. Selection   10 to 15 metres wide fire        doctor”), who examines         own sawmill and biomass         of forestry in this region
                                   of trees with strong root        protection stripes; fire insu-   the forest in regard to        power plant to become more      followed by other forest
                                   systems; deep soil loosening     rance based on general insu-    diseases; Hormiga Arriera      independent from the inter-     managers; the soil is ploug-
                                   supports deep roots;             rance conditions covers fire     is controlled by use of an     national market regarding       hed up to one metre deep;
                                   Restricted time in tree          risks                           organic orange concen-         the unprocessed trunks          samples of the leaves and
                                   nursery, to prevent roots                                        trate; no monocolonial                                         the soil are examined on a
                                   from untwisting in the                                           plantings: approx. five                                         regular basis to optimise
                                   planting pot; since 2016 in-                                     different acacias from Aust-                                    nutrients; experiments with
                                   surance for investors against                                    ralia, Brazil and Colombia                                     indigenous tree species
                                   windthrow                                                        are used; after pruning, the
                                                                                                    cuts are tended immedia-
                                                                                                    tely to prevent invading
                                                                                                    pests

            GreenAcacia Jaguar 7
From acacia forest plantations to tropical forests - ForestFinance
EN_brochure_GA_screen_2019_Jaguar_2011 28.01.2019 15:33 Seite 8

                                                                                                                                                                                jaguar

                                                                                     Economic, ecological and social sustainability
                                                                                     Economic:              We believe in values. This includes values that mean a fair profit for
                                                                                                            the investor. All “stakeholders” shall receive their part of the natural
                                                                                                            added value: the investor, the people on site, the forestry manager, na-
                                                                                                            ture. We do not aim to achieve maximum short-term profits. Instead,
                                                                                                            we prefer sound middle and long-term returns gained from natural
                                                                                                            real assets.
                                                                                     Social:                We put the people at the heart of our activities. We know that
                                                                                                            safety and success are only possible in the long run if we integrate and
                                                                                                            motivate the people on site to protect the newly created forests. We
                                                                                                            plan and develop for the future and for future generations.
                                                                                     Ecological:            We create new forests. Over the next 50 years plantations are trans-
                                                                                                            formed into mixed forests, which consist of mainly native tree species.
                                                                                                            We have reforested thousands of hectares of land that used to be rug-
                                                                                                            ged, overgrazed savannah. Certification is issued in accordance with
                                                                                                            the highest climate protection and social standards.
             Many years ago Horacio Pulido has prepared the soil for reforesta-
              tion and planted the first acacia trees on the ForestFinance fincas
              in Colombia.                                    Photo: ForestFinance
                                                                                     This is our understanding of “social forestry“ and the “social impact“ of our
                                                                                     activities:

                                                                                     No discrimination of gender, belief, race, re-      qualified jobs; further education possibilites
                                                                                     ligion, sexual orientation or other criteria; li-   on site e.g. at beekeeping facility;
                                                                                     teracy courses for our employees; micro             further education by means of courses in
                                                                                     credits for family members of our forest wor-       forestry and work safety.
                                                                                     kers; long-term safety and improvement of
             ForestFinance was awarded the German CSR award which
                                                                                     living conditions; wages and social benefits
              acknowledges our sustainable forestry concept and our
              transparent practices in all our operations.                           above the local standard; creation of
              Photo: CSR certificate
                                                                                     International standards – what does it mean?

                                                                                     We stick to our word – ForestFinance is cer-        Colombia are also certified according to Gold
                                                                                     tified by Focus Money, a German top business        Standard guidelines, which proves our eco-
                                                                                     magazine, as one of the best investment com-        logical and social way of management.
                                                                                     panies in Germany. As we have successfully
                                                                                     done in other countries, we adhere to the
                                                                                     guidelines of sustainable forestry in Colom-
                                                                                     bia, as well. Our acacia forest plantations in

             These are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by the UN.
                                                                                     This means:
              They serve as guidelines to companies to act in a sustainable
              manner. Since the very beginning, sustainability has been              » Maintaining the rights of indigenous peoples
              the core issue of the ForestFinance corporate philosophy;              » The forest management will preserve or enhance the social and economic welfare
              many of these SDGs have already been successfully included               of ForestFinance employees and the local population in the long run
              in our day to day business for years.
              Photo: Screenshot
                                                                                     » Economic efficiency and product variety
                                                                                     » Conservation of biodiversity, protective functions of the forests and landscape
                                                                                     » Plantations can provide social and economic advantages as a supplement to more
                                                                                       natural forestry concepts and reduce the pressure on natural forests

                                                                                                                                                                         8   GreenAcacia Jaguar
From acacia forest plantations to tropical forests - ForestFinance
EN_brochure_GA_screen_2019_Jaguar_2011 28.01.2019 15:33 Seite 9

                                                                                                                                                                  Left: We grow resistant seedlings in our own tree nurseries for our       
                                                                                                                                                                  forests. Right: A white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in our
                                                                                                                                                                  GreenAcacia forest plantation in Colombia. We transform the forests
                                                                                                                                                                  into near-natural mixed forests step by step, providing even more
            Our concept – your benefit                                                                                                                            animals and plants with a new habitat.            Photos: ForestFinance

                                    Stability                                                                   Quality

             S almost 25 years of experience with prove                              Sinvestment in a designated plot of land on an
               success; customers have already received                                existing Acacia mangium forest plantation
               payouts from acacia forests                                           S cooperation with an experienced Colombian
             S Colombia is a member of the World Bank, the                             forestry service provider, soon to be certified
              WTO, the IDB (Inter-American Development                               S ForestFinance subsidiary supervises forest
               Bank) and the IMF                                                       management on site
             S more than 2,500 hectares of savannah have
               been reforested with acacia forest plantati-
               ons; the project is considered a prime exam-
               ple in this region

                                     Ecology                                                           Social benefits

             S transformation of Acacia mangium forest                               S creation of permanent jobs in rural regions
               plantations into mixed forests creates new                              of Colombia
               habitats for animals and plants                                       S training and qualification of employees at a
             S better water storage and filtering perfor-                              high level, thereby improvement of living
               mance of the forest and erosion control due                             conditions
               to improved forest management concept                                 S fair payment with corresponding fringe
             S positive impact on both local and global                                benefits
               climate

                                                                                                                                                                 Photos: ForestFinance, jaguar: shutterstock.com

                          We often find traces of the shy jaguar on our fincas. It hunts deer and other animals living in the GreenAcacia forests.
                                                                                                                                                             

                      Thus, the acacia forests are valuable migrating corridors and perhaps even a future habitat for these rare big cats. Acacia forests also
                     help protect their highly threatened habitats as well as natural forests. The annual worldwide consumption of logs amounts to 4,000
                 million cubic metres, with a rising tendency. In order to satisfy this demand, precious forests are being destroyed (areas about the size of
                  Germany each year). Sustainable forestry and transformation of monocultures into near-natural forests can end this vicious circle: they
                                             provide wood, natural forests need not be destroyed and much needed new ecosystems come into existence.
                                                                                          ForestFinance forests have proven this for more than two decades.
                 By the way: many rare animal and plant species live on our forest areas! For more information, please see page 10 and our media library
                               at www.forestfinance.de/en/media-library where you will find our biodiversity reports that are published annually.

            GreenAcacia Jaguar 9
From acacia forest plantations to tropical forests - ForestFinance
EN_brochure_GA_screen_2019_Jaguar_2011 28.01.2019 15:33 Seite 10

                                                                                Project areas chosen for a biodiversity study by the WWF
                                                                                In September 2014 our forest areas were cho-        Five of the bird species belong to the indicator
                                                                                sen as one of four project areas where the pilot    species, depending on areas of high conserva-
                                                                                project “Promoting biodiversity conservation        tion value (important bird areas as stated by
                                                                                on privately managed productive forest areas        Birdlife International). These species have an
                                                                                and pasture land” will be implemented. The          international impact on the conservation of
                                                                                survey will be conducted by the WWF within          biodiversity:
                                                                                the scope of the United Nations Development
             Turkey buzzard (top) and Southern lapwing (bottom) live on        Programme (UNDP) during a period of three
                                                                                                                                    » Neotropic cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasi-
              the ForestFinance project areas and belong to the indicator
                                                                                years. Its objectives are to examine the influ-
                                                                                                                                      lianus)
              species depending on areas of high conservation value. Natu-                                                          » Little blue heron (Egretta caerulea)
              ral forest remnants remain on the ForestFinance areas while       ence of private forest projects on biodiversity
                                                                                                                                    » Buff-necked ibis (Theristicus caudatus)
              the animals and plants living there are protected.                in the region, and to determine whether the
              Photos: ForestFinance, wikipedia/Samuel Blanc (Turkey buzzard),                                                       » Turkey buzzard (Cathartes aura)
              wikipedia/Dario Sanches (bottom)
                                                                                projects have a positive impact. Our project
                                                                                                                                    » Southern lapwing (Vanellus chilensis)
                                                                                areas in Vichada are part of the protection pro-
                                                                                gramme, which is showing impressive results:
                                                                                a total of 645 animal and plant species were        The region is also crucial for the survival of
                                                                                recorded in this area.                              the jaguar. The farm is located in the middle
                                                                                                                                    of the migrating corridor of the wild cats and
                                                                                The first biodiversity monitoring was con-          each of them is welcome.
                                                                                ducted in March 2014. During the bird moni-
                                                                                toring a total of 94 bird species were identified
                                                                                by scientists Fiorela Delgado and Álvaro Ve-
                                                                                lásquez.

                                                                                In addition to six migratory bird species, pas-
                                                                                sing Colombia on their way south or staying
                                                                                there temporarily, there were also species
                                                                                among them that are of particular significance
                                                                                for the conservation of biodiversity.

                                                                                                                                                                   10   GreenAcacia Jaguar
EN_brochure_GA_screen_2019_Jaguar_2011 28.01.2019 15:33 Seite 11

                                                                                                                 We have built accommodations for the forest workers in Vichada         
                                                                                                                 and provide them with a warm lunch. As they live far away from
                                                                                                                 big cities and their families, a comfortable living situation is
            The right conditions for good teamwork                                                               crucial for a good working environment.
                                                                                                                 Photos: ForestFinance
            The ForestFinance project areas are located       fairly-paid job, which is very difficult to find
            two driving hours from Puerto Carreño.            in this region.” Apart from the material
            Since 2007, an average of 35 men and              aspects, she appreciates that nature returns
            women from all regions of Colombia has            to the region, which used to be densely co-
            been working here on reforesting the savan-       vered with trees: “There are deer in our
            nah. “There is no city around, no supermar-       forests, that weren’t here ten years ago. Also,
            ket, no electricity,” reported Oliver Ristau      jaguars cross the land. Sometimes, they in-                                                                               
                                                                                                                 Luisa Azabache has a degree in agricultural sciences and manages the
            for Deutsche Welle, who visited the project       vade our farm in the night to feed on our
                                                                                                                 reforestation projects in Colombia.
            site in 2014 (you can read his article at         chickens.        We        accept         that”.
            www.dw.com/p/1BNau). Thus, the team
            managed by ForestFinance agricultural             We are happy to have found such committed
            engineer Luisa Azabache and Roman                 employees and make their lives as comforta-
            Jaramillo has to organise everything on its       ble as possible, hoping they will happily stay
            own. “Chicken and chicklets scratch the           for a long time. This includes fair payment,
            ground, horses and cattle stand on                social benefits and adequate accommoda-
            company-owned pasture land. A diesel ge-          tion, also in the interest of our investors.
            nerator and solar panels produce electricity,”
            Ristau       describes   the    rural    idyll.

            Luisa Azabache likes working here, even
            though she lives far away from civilisation
            and her family. She has just started her own
            in Vichada and is glad she is able to reconcile   A ForestFinance employee survey showed
            her job with being a mother: “ForestFinance       that our employees identify themselves
            supports me and my family to a great              with the company and are very happy with
            degree. I am happy that I found a secure and      their work.

            GreenAcacia Jaguar 11
EN_brochure_GA_screen_2019_Jaguar_2011 28.01.2019 15:33 Seite 12

                                                                   01-2019 (D)   Subject to changes, errors or misprints.

              www.forestfinance.com

                                                                                   The Gold Standard is an internationally
                                                                                   renowned climate protection standard
             Published by and responsible for:                                     which includes social and ecological
             Forest Finance Panama S.A.                                            aspects. ForestFinance is one of the first
             Edificio #146                                                         companies worldwide to receive
             Clayton - Ciudad del Saber                                            Gold Standard certification for landuse
                                                                                   projects for its forest and cocoa areas.
             Panamá Ciudad
             Rep. de Panamá
             Managing Director: Petra Kollmannsberger

             ForestFinance Service Centre
             EN + 49 228 943 778-0
             info@forestfinance.com
You can also read