SLM Partners Secured $167 Million for Forestry Fund
The firm raised capital from Dutch pension investor APG to expand continuous cover forestry across Europe.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Agriculture
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Should forestry management prioritize environmental sustainability over traditional commercial harvesting methods?
SLM Partners has secured $167 million in funding from APG to support the final close of the SLM Silva Fund II. The investment aims to advance forest management practices throughout Ireland and wider Europe.
Why it matters
The investment supports a transition toward continuous cover forestry, a method prioritized for its potential to improve carbon capture and bolster forest resilience against climate change. This approach balances commercial timber needs with long-term ecosystem health.
SLM Partners secured €150 million, or $167 million, to grow the Silva Fund II following the acquisition of 2,000 hectares by Fund I. Currently, between 22% and 30% of European forests operate under continuous cover management.
The players
SLM Partners
This investment firm specializes in natural capital and sustainable land management strategies.
APG
This Dutch pension investor manages significant assets on behalf of pension funds like ABP.
ABP
This is a major Dutch pension fund that provided capital for the forestry investment.
The details
The strategy relies on felling small portions of forest to maintain constant canopy cover, which allows for natural regeneration. Previous efforts in Fund I saw 67% of the total forest area successfully transitioned to this management style as of mid-2026.
Timeline
Fund I acquired 2,000 hectares of forest as of June 2026.
The investment fund news was published on October 13, 2026.
Market Landscape
This capital injection accelerates the industry-wide shift toward continuous cover forestry, moving it from a niche practice to a scalable institutional model. It positions SLM Partners as a leader in sustainable timber assets as European forestry standards evolve.
The transition to continuous cover forestry aims to ensure long-term wood supply stability for the European timber market. Investors and stakeholders in land management can expect increased capital allocation toward sustainability-focused forestry projects in the coming years.
The takeaway
Continuous cover forestry represents a shift toward more resilient land management by prioritizing natural regeneration over traditional methods. Readers should monitor how such sustainable mandates influence timber pricing and supply chains in the European market.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving landscape of sustainable land use in our Agriculture section.
Live Poll
Should forestry management prioritize environmental sustainability over traditional commercial harvesting methods?
