Tag Archives: Forestry Research Associates

Business

UK Reforestation plan gets backing of FRA

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FRA has stated its support for a campaign in the UK to embark upon a major reforestation programme in Britain.

Bainbridge Island, WA, January 14, 2012 – Forestry Research Associates (FRA) has stated its support for a campaign in the UK to embark upon a major reforestation programme in Britain.

Our Forests is an organization that hopes to return the UK to the point it was at 1,000 years ago, in terms of the amount of land covered in forests. The plan is to increase forest coverage to 15 per cent of the land, from the current coverage of just under 10 per cent.

“We always support reforestation programmes,” claimed FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins. “Increasing forest cover in the UK will help the country to reduce its carbon emissions through CO2 sequestration.”

Our Forests is a group set up in response to controversial and eventually scrapped plans by the UK government to sell off some of Britain’s forests to private buyers. The group and FRA, a research and analysis consultancy based in the US, claim that adding new forests to the UK will not only contribute to the cutting of carbon emissions but could also create community forests on the edges of towns, while jobs will also be created.

Our Forests is led by Dr Gabriel Hemery, who claims the forest cover in the UK should be returned to the levels recorded in the Domesday Book: “Getting all our woods working, so that they provide the wealth of renewable resources and rich variety of wildlife they are capable of supporting, is vital.”

FRA supports these kinds of reforestation projects in developing countries, such as Brazil, where new forests are being planted in order to try to undo some of the destruction caused by deforestation. Investment firms like Greenwood Management offer foreigners the chance to invest in these projects, which plant non-native plantations as an alternative to using native trees in timber and charcoal production.

Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 316 8394
info@forestry-research.com
http://www.forestry-research.com

Business

Vietnam to benefit from Rattan Forestry Project, claims FRA

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Analysts at Forestry Research Associates (FRA) claim that the people of Vietnam, and especially those employed in the rattan producing sector, will reap the benefits of a new WWF fund, sponsored by IKEA.

Bainbridge Island, WA, January 09, 2012 – Analysts at Forestry Research Associates (FRA) claim that the people of Vietnam, and especially those employed in the rattan producing sector, will reap the benefits of a new WWF fund, sponsored by IKEA.

The second phase of the rattan production project is worth an estimated $56,539, which will be spent on several different projects, including sustainable forestry education. FRA said that the investment into sustainable forestry techniques in the production of rattan materials is vital for the future of the industry in Vietnam.

Between January 2012 and June 2014, the project will help to improve the quality of life for those living and working around the rattan industry, while evolving techniques for sustainability and production. The project will also provide seedlings to help develop more managed forests of rattan and bamboo.

“The idea is to provide local people working within the industry with the knowledge and support they need to make sure that the industry can provide a living for their children and grandchildren,” explained FRA’s analysis partner Peter Collins.

Those who are expected to benefit form the cash will be educated on the policies and laws in place and will also be guided on forest management techniques.

The project illustrates how investment in forestry in developing countries can not only help them to safeguard a vital industry, but can also generate returns and benefits for investors around the globe. FRA supports sustainable forestry investment projects, such as the one taking place in Brazil, which is run by Greenwood Management. It gives investors from all over the world the chance to invest in a specific piece of plantation land on which fast-growing non-native trees are grown. These trees generate profit as they grow and also provide alternatives to using native trees in the production of charcoal for the steel industry.

Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 316 8394
info@forestry-research.com
http://www.forestry-research.com

Business

FRA claims expert comments reflect its views on forestry investment

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An investment expert’s predictions about forestry and farmland investment reflects opinions held by Forestry Research Associates (FRA), the research and analysis consultancy has claimed.

Bainbridge Island, WA, November 12, 2011 – An investment expert’s predictions about forestry and farmland investment reflects opinions held by Forestry Research Associates (FRA), the research and analysis consultancy has claimed.

Jeremy Grantham, who is considered to be a leading investor at GMO Asset Management, has predicted that forestry investment will continue to generate strong returns: “For those with a long horizon, I am sure well managed forestry and farmland will outperform the average of all global assets.”

The expert, who has been in the business for 40 years, is obviously keen to promote the advantages of this alternative asset at a time when traditional markets are looking vulnerable and far less attractive than they once were.

“Risk averse investors are steering well clear of traditional investments,” said FRA’s analysis partner Peter Collins. He added, “It’s refreshing to hear a high profile investment expert speak so confidently about the potential returns available through forestry investment.”

FRA supports investment in sustainable forestry, through firms like Greenwood Management, which runs several plantations in Brazil in which individuals or institutions can invest upwards of EUR10,000.

FRA claims that forestry is a solid bet as it is far less affected by larger economic trends and timber prices have been on an upwards streak for many months thanks to rapid infrastructure and construction growth in Asia.

Mr Collins also added, “Investing in timber is also a safe bet from an ethical standpoint as sustainable forestry plantations and other similar projects are helping to provide countries like Brazil with alternatives for charcoal other than using native trees.”

FRA claims that investing in managed forestry can also help developing countries, such as Brazil, to thrive and begin to understand the value that can be gleaned from standing forests, as well as from timber.

Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 316 8394
info@forestry-research.com
http://www.forestry-research.com

Business

FRA reports on ‘forests for food’ claims

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Forestry Research Associates (FRA) has reported on claims from the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) that the world’s forests can play a vital role in feeding those living in developing countries.

Bainbridge Island, WA, November 04, 2011 – Forestry Research Associates (FRA) has reported on claims from the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) that the world’s forests can play a vital role in feeding those living in developing countries.

Although forests undoubtedly provide industry with the essential raw materials it needs to develop and expand, forests are also important for feeding the world’s hungry, claims the CPF. It adds that policymakers and international development agencies need to bear this role in mind when planning how forests should be managed.

The Food and Agricultural Organization of the UN, which is an active member of the CPF agrees with the claims. Its Assistant Director General, Eduardo Rojas-Briales, stated, “Forests and trees on farms are a direct source of food and cash income for more than a billion of the world’s poorest people.

“They provide both staple foods and supplemental foods. To enhance these benefits, governments and development partners should increase investments in support of sustainable forest management and rehabilitation of degraded forest lands,” he added.

FRA, which is a research and analysis consultancy supporting sustainable forestry and forestry investment, lent its support for the call for the importance of forests in the feeding of the world’s poor, to be considered when forestry management policy is established. Its analysis partner, Peter Collins, stated, “We agree that important consideration should be given to the important role and standing forests and sustainable forestry management plays in the developing world.

“We believe in supporting projects that boost the volume of forest and in emerging economies, such as the plantation project run by Greenwood Management and other similar businesses in Brazil. These projects add to the country’s forested land and also help to prevent the deforestation of native forests,” added Mr Collins.

Agroforestry has been touted as a viable solution that allows forests to be managed for timber, while helping to provide crops and livestock for food. The World Agroforestry Center’s Director General, Tony Simons, explained, “Agroforestry provides a climate smart agriculture alternative that can increase food production and improve farmers’ incomes and living standards.”

Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 316 8394
info@forestry-research.com
http://www.forestry-research.com