Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources’ Center for Forest Business is hosting the “The Timberland Asset: Stable Investments for Turbulent Times” conference March 18-20, at the Ritz-Carlton at Reynolds Plantation near Lake Oconee. The conference will highlight forestland investments as an alternative class that is not correlated to typical stock investments and not subject to as much volatility as equity and commodity markets.
“The conference will specifically address the implications of the current global economic situation in the context of forestland investing,” said Bob Izlar, director of the Center for Forest Business.
According to Izlar, the timberland asset class, which has a proven record of dependable returns, possesses unique qualities that offer an inflation hedge and a stable alternative for many portfolios, which are especially attractive in the current shaky economy. Among the items on the agenda for the conference:
- Current trends in the asset class
- Rethinking debt in timberland transactions
- The changing role of rural real estate on portfolio strategy
- International timberland investments
- Ecosystem services in timberland investments
- Forestry inventory and appraisal
- Where do we go from here?
Izlar said the topics that will be discussed at March’s conference are invaluable to a host of current and prospective investors, including asset managers, family offices, insurance companies, funds of funds, investment consultants, banks and those in the forest or natural resources industry.
“Delegates will interact with 30 world leaders in forest operations, finance and research and also with other delegates involved in all aspects of the global forestland asset class,” Izlar said.
The conference has a capacity of 320 people. The cost is $975 if registered by March 6, and $1,300 afterwards.
The Warnell Center for Forest Business uses pioneering academic research and sound financial methods to provide education and service to the forest industry, investors and landowners throughout the world. It has previously held similar conferences in Munich and London and at the Chateau Elan in Northeast Georgia. This is the second CFB investment conference held at the Ritz-Carlton.
To learn more or to register, see the CFB Web site at www.ugacfb.com/timberlandasset or contact Tommy Tye at 706/542-5079 or rtye@warnell.uga.edu.