Environmental Sustainability and Land Stewardship

At TIR, we believe good stewardship is good business.  We understand that when we are recognized by those who have an interest in our activities as having a strong land ethic, our ability to practice forestry, conduct forest operations and collaborate and partner with key stakeholder groups, like mainstream conservation organizations, is significantly enhanced.  This not only facilitates the day-to-day work of our team, it also improves our ability to manage our clients’ assets in accordance with their short- and long-term risk and return objectives.

To us, sustainable forest management means, among other things:

Respecting and maintaining biodiversity and site productivity

Protecting each forest’s air, water, soil and wildlife attributes

Regenerating lands after timber harvests

Achieving our investment objectives while building and sustaining forest ecosystems

We operate in accordance with these principles by employing scientifically-based practices that are responsive to society’s needs.  In addition, our forest management plans fully comply with all state “Best Management Practices” (BMPs) to ensure the protection of soil and water quality.  We also utilize land management strategies that have been proven to prevent erosion and runoff, preserve biologically sensitive areas, and protect and enhance wildlife habitat.

Beyond our approach to practicing forestry, we also participate in land conservation initiatives that reflect society’s interest in the environmental, cultural, historical, aesthetic and broadly encompassing economic values of private forests. This often entails working closely with governmental agencies and private conservation groups.

Sustainability Reports and Documents

Sustainability Report 2023

TIR is excited to share its second annual Sustainability Report, Creating Value from Sustainable Forestry. This report highlights the significant progress TIR has made following a structured process of identifying and assessing material sustainability factors of its investments and operating activities.

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Learn more: Sustainable Forestry Policy

Learn more: Sustainability Statement

Sustainable Forestry

Finally, TIR consistently operates clients’ forests in conformance with the stewardship priorities and sustainability principles of the organizations profiled below.

TIR is a third-party certified provider of forest management services under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) program. The SFI is the North American standard for forest management certification programs. More than 280 million acres of private forests in the U.S. and Canada are currently managed under the SFI label, which is used to identify products from paper towels to framing lumber that have been produced from wood grown in sustainably-managed forests. Being SFI certified means that TIR has been audited by an independent, third-party team and is recognized as having met SFI’s rigorous policy and performance standards.

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TIR is a signatory to the UN-sponsored Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), which is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. It works:

  • to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors;
  • to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions.

The PRI acts in the long-term interests:

  • of its signatories;
  • of the financial markets and economies in which they operate and ultimately of the environment and society as a whole.

The PRI is truly independent. It encourages investors to use responsible investment to enhance returns and better manage risks, but does not operate for its own profit; it engages with global policymakers but is not associated with any government; it is supported by, but not part of, the United Nations.

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TIR is an active and engaged member of the National Forest Owners Alliance (NAFO), which represents the interests of most of the largest non-industrial forest owners and managers in the United States. Compliance with a comprehensive and rigorous set of sustainable forest-management guidelines is a pre-requisite for involvement in NAFO and TIR has been a member in good standing since joining the organization in 2008.

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TIR is a member of the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI), an independent non-profit research institute that focuses on environmental issues, such as streamside management guidelines, biodiversity, landscape ecology, silvicultural chemical use and measures of sustainable forestry.

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TIR is a member of the Forestland Owners Association (FLA) on behalf of its clients.  FLA is a leading advocate for the rights of private landowners.  The organization is particularly focused on protecting private property rights; advancing tax policies that are fair and reflective of the interests of private forest owners; and, promoting the establishment and maintenance of free and open markets in which forest owners can participate, both domestically and abroad.

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Hunting and Recreational Leases

TIR issues hunting leases and recreational leases on many of the lands it manages. For information on the program, or to identify lands that are available for lease, please visit Premier Hunting Leases, TIR’s leasing partner.

Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation

The European Commission adopted a package of measures on sustainable finance in May 2018. One component of this package is the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (“SFDR”) which aims to standardize disclosure requirements on how financial market participants integrate environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors in their investment decision-making and risk processes.

TIR is committed to operating in accordance with its Sustainable Forestry Policy once an investment in the timberland asset class is made. Prior to making any decision to invest in a timberland asset, a review of the potential acquisition is performed as part of the due diligence process. However, there is no systematic process for assessing any adverse impacts of investment decisions on broader sustainability factors, given that any investment is made with a view to ensuring the day-to-day management of the forest is carried out sustainably. In terms of sustainability risks, TIR considers relevant financial and non-financial risks during the initial stages of the investment decision making process. Given the nature of investing in forestry, risks relating to environmental factors are taken into consideration in the due diligence phase prior to making an investment decision. In addition, the remuneration policy has been designed to ensure that employee compensation is consistent with and promotes sound and effective risk management; does not encourage excessive ESG-related risk taking; includes processes to avoid conflicts of interest; and is in line with the firm’s business strategy, objectives, values and long-term interests.

At the product level, for any TIR funds disclosing under Article 8 or Article 9 of the SFDR, TIR has published the following website disclosure statements.