Forest Invest Podcast Por Shauna Matkovich arte de portada

Forest Invest

Forest Invest

De: Shauna Matkovich
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Meet experts in forest investment from different corners of the forestry asset class. From investors to entrepreneurs, market players to service providers. Tune in to hear stories from the trenches, insights and best practice guidance to build your toolbox for creating profitable and impactful forest investments.

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Shauna Matkovich Economía Finanzas Personales
Episodios
  • Tele-operated Forestry Operations with Merritt Jenkins

    Tele-operated Forestry Operations with Merritt Jenkins
    Mar 23 2026

    The ForestLink newsletter signup

    Kodama


    Today, I’m joined by Merritt Jenkins, CEO and Co-founder of Kodama Systems. In this conversation, Merritt explains how Kodama is using tele-operation and automation to run forestry equipment remotely, starting with skidders in the southeastern US. We discuss the technology behind the system, including Starlink connectivity, real-time video feeds, LiDAR, GPS, and onboard computing, and what it takes to make that technology reliable in tough forest conditions. Merritt also shares how remote skidding can help address some of the industry’s biggest challenges, from operator shortages and long commutes to physical strain and safety risk. We also explore the practical questions logging contractors ask around productivity, terrain, maintenance, and cost, before looking at what’s next for Kodama as the company expands into new regions and machine types.


    “It's very challenging for logging business owners to find skidder operators. Whether you're in BC or the Florida panhandle, it's really the same theme—the industry is aging out, and the younger generation just isn’t as motivated to do this type of work.”


    0:19 Meet Merritt Jenkins of Kodama Systems

    0:28 Favorite tree: Southern yellow pine

    0:53 Merritt’s background and Kodama origins

    1:26 What Kodama does: remote skidding

    2:28 Technology stack: Starlink, cameras, LiDAR, GPS

    4:17 Ruggedising hardware for forestry conditions

    5:17 Compatible skidders and OEM integration

    7:43 Addressing the forestry labour shortage

    10:23 PS5 controllers for machine operation

    11:15 Remote site awareness and mapping

    13:55 Key industry pain points solved

    15:00 Logger concerns: costs and operations

    16:08 Remote operation across locations and time zones

    18:11 Cameras, visibility, and maintenance

    20:35 Terrain handling and machine feedback

    23:02 Business model and day rates

    25:48 Ideal operating environments

    26:51 Logger reactions and adoption

    29:14 Collaboration with logging crews

    30:26 Kodama team and skill sets

    32:00 Lessons learned in the field

    33:15 Future plans and expansion

    34:07 Safety systems and fail-safes

    35:35 Where to learn more

    36:05 Outro


    Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink

    Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives


    Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud

    Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud

    Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

    Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    36 m
  • Drone Reforestation at Scale: How Ki Reforestation Is Restoring Burned & Remote Forests in Canada with Trevor Grant

    Drone Reforestation at Scale: How Ki Reforestation Is Restoring Burned & Remote Forests in Canada with Trevor Grant
    Mar 16 2026
    The ForestLink newsletter signupKi ReforestationKi Reforestation (Instagram)This episode is brought to you by Ki Reforestation, a Canadian reforestation technology company restoring difficult landscapes using drone seeding, with a seed-agnostic approach and an Indigenous-aligned ecological restoration model. Today, I’m joined by Trevor Grant, Founder & CEO of Ki, to unpack Canada’s growing reforestation deficit and why new tools are needed to rebuild forests after increasingly severe wildfires — especially in steep, remote terrain where traditional crews face safety and access constraints. We dig into Ki’s system, from heavy-lift autonomous drones and real-time environmental sensing to AI-informed seeding prescriptions and the “magic sauce” behind the work: pharmaceutical-grade seed encapsulation designed to improve soil contact and reduce predation and withstand environmental factors. Trevor also shares where drone seeding is (and isn’t) a fit, early field learnings since 2022, how costs can compare to manual planting, and what Ki is building next through a proposed five-year R&D program with academic, government, industry, and Indigenous partners. Learn more and join Ki on its mission through visiting Ki's website.“We’re able to tailor density down to the number of seeds dispersed per square meter and adjust prescriptions in real time based on slope, soil, vegetation, and microsite conditions observed during flight.”0:10 Introduction to Forest Invest0:20 Sponsor spotlight: Ki Reforestation1:01 Meet Trevor Grant, Founder and CEO of Ki Reforestation1:12 Trevor’s favourite tree and why it stands out 2:21 The origin story behind Ki Reforestation 3:32 Canada’s wildfire crisis and the reforestation deficit 4:36 Restoring forests after wildfire: timing, access, and safety 5:27 How Ki’s drone seeding technology works 7:20 Heavy-lift drones, species mixes, and microsite planting 10:00 Seed encapsulation: the core innovation behind the model 12:53 Can drone seeding compete with manual tree planting? 17:08 Ki’s use cases: harvesting, wildfire recovery, and mine-site rehabilitation 19:44 Where aerial direct seeding is not the right fit 20:56 What Ki knows so far, and what still needs to be proven 22:11 Field trials, early results, and lessons learned since 2022 24:03 Indigenous partnerships and holistic restoration approaches 25:18 Customers, collaborators, and the 5-year research programme 28:39 What governments should ask before choosing an aerial reforestation company 31:08 Addressing scepticism and proving where the technology works 33:00 Seed sourcing, supply bottlenecks, and planning timelines 37:09 Government interest, funding gaps, and public-sector support 38:55 Carbon markets, additionality, and who should benefit 41:19 Why Ki is taking a slower, research-first approach 42:18 What excites Trevor most about Ki’s current stage 43:33 The future of Ki beyond Canada 45:33 Where to learn more and get involvedFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    47 m
  • Women Leading the Future of Forestry

    Women Leading the Future of Forestry
    Mar 9 2026
    The ForestLink newsletter signupBettina von HagenCandice TaylorGwen BusbyKatrina AmaralKirstie WhiteMary IgnatiadisRita HiteIn this special International Women’s Day episode, I bring together seven remarkable women working across the forestry sector—from investment and forest economics to sustainability, supply chains, and policy. In no particular order, Bettina von Hagen, Candice Taylor, Gwen Busby, Katrina Amaral, Kirstie White, Mary Ignatiadis, and Rita Hite share the pivotal moments, mentors, and decisions that shaped their leadership journeys. Through personal stories and candid reflections, the conversation explores themes of curiosity, resilience, and the power of mentorship in building a career in forestry. The guests also discuss the realities of working in a sector where women remain underrepresented, sharing experiences that range from subtle bias to moments of opportunity and influence. Together, these voices highlight how diverse perspectives are helping reshape forestry—from community-centered supply chains and natural capital investing to sustainable forest management and climate solutions—and why supporting the next generation of female leaders is essential for the future of the sector.00:00 Introduction – Women Leaders in Forestry00:23 Podcast Welcome & International Women’s Day Special01:56 Women in Forestry – Representation and Industry Statistics04:37 Introducing the Leadership Stories05:01 Bettina von Hagen – Finding Your “True North” in Leadership07:16 Candice Taylor – Continuous Learning and Career Reinvention09:35 Gwen Busby – Economics, Nature, and Timberland Investment Strategy12:05 Katrina Amaral – Community Forestry and Small-Scale Supply Chains14:30 Kirstie White – Stewardship, Sustainability, and Leadership17:13 Mary Ignatius – Forest Economics, Carbon Markets, and Collaboration19:41 Rita Hite – A Leadership Journey to CEO21:51 Gender Experiences in Forestry – Stories from the Field24:08 Candice Taylor – Proving Expertise and Creating Space25:32 Gwen Busby – Navigating Finance and Forestry as a Minority28:06 Katrina Amaral – Logging, Perception, and Gender Bias29:34 Kirstie White – Changing Representation in Forestry31:25 Mary Ignatius – Confronting Gender Bias in Organizations32:39 Rita Hite – Leadership Confidence and Authenticity34:29 Closing Reflections – Celebrating Women in Forestry34:37 Outro – Forest InvestFounding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLinkProducer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted CreativesNature by MaxKoMusic/SoundcloudSopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/SoundcloudAmbient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)Sign up now for the ForestLink’s newsletter, where you’ll receive technical advice, reflections, and best-practice guidance to support you with your forest-linked investment strategy or business straight to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    35 m
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