Forestry investments are the mecca of these niche possibilities. Forests and conservation areas are magnets for eco-minded tourists. Therefore, forestry investments are the only green initiatives, which, if properly adapted, can have a multi-purposeful business potential.

Ecotourism offers one of the simplest, yet, most profitable venues to enhance your current or potential forestry investment. The idea behind ecotourism is leveraging the untouched natural resources while allowing wilderness enthusiast to learn about local plant and animal species even get involved in community-enriching activities while protecting the environment. Compared to regular tourism activities, responsible ecotourism in forestry areas minimizes the environmental damages and provides for a sustainable recreational experience.

Forest ecotourism offers a wide range of activities - from sports to educational, to volunteer work. Here are some innovative ideas that can drive forestry investors to explore progressive ways of gaining monetary benefits by venturing beyond traditional forestry projects:

The villagers of Chi Pat in Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains have teamed up with an NGO and a local travel company to offer off-road cycling to tourists, allowing them to combine their sports passion with experiencing the beauty of the wilderness. At the same time, the initiative helps the local community generate a sustainable income. Investing in such an initiative, where forest conservation and restoration is combined with facilitating tourism can surely increase the financial benefit of the carbon-offsetting project.

An opportunistic U.S.-based organization has embraced a holistic business/conservation concept as the core of their mission to develop projects in Mozambique that meet REDD Voluntary Carbon Credit accreditation standards. The organization builds and places boats in conservation locations in the African country with the purpose of attracting affluent eco-minded tourists who wish to experience nature at its finest. The organization also forms strategic partnerships with local hospitality businesses, thus, contributing to the development of the regional economy and the preservation of the local culture.

A travel company from The Netherlands specializing in trips to New Zealand, Australia and Asia provides a tailor-made, experience-based travel. Their latest project-in-progress is a social and environmental initiative in New Zealand, in partnership with Maori landowners, where tourists are given the opportunity to plant indigenous trees in order to offset their holiday's greenhouse gas emissions. It is a sustainable development initiative at its core with promising potential to support the livelihoods of marginal Maori communities in New Zealand.

Last, but not least, Allegheny National Forest has become an educational ground for both children and adults. The Timberdoodle Trek, a guided 1.5-mile nature hike, offers families the opportunity to stay active, engage in an interactive learning experience among nature, while taking full advantage of the resources that the forest offers as a classroom.


The above initiatives are ways to expand the benefits of any regular carbon-offsetting project and turn it into a multi-dimensional business opportunity. Regardless of whether you have already invested in forests - or are considering the option -- thinking outside the box and employing an environmentally holistic business approach can be immensely rewarding.

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