NRFI students attended this year’s Canopy Conference, joining leaders from forestry, finance, and conservation to discuss forestland investment. Key lessons included the importance of acting over perfectionism, even amid uncertainty, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in forest management. Students returned with a deeper understanding of how forestry and markets intersect, and how effective communication and stakeholder engagement are vital to building trust and advancing meaningful conservation outcomes.
“I left optimistic about the potential of forestry as an asset class that already delivers resilient fiduciary returns, yet deserves far greater recognition for its ability to support ecosystems and carbon sequestration at scale.”
– Sujay Dhanagare, MEM ’25
Conservation Finance Roundtable
Duke University, Durham, NC | April 23-24, 2026
NRFI will co-host Conservation Finance Roundtable 2026. This event brings together market development practitioners, investors, and conservation leaders to address shared challenges and improve environmental performance and conservation outcomes. Last year’s discussions centered on carbon markets, ecosystem service valuation, and emerging investment models.
Forest and Rangeland Taxation Conference
Duke University, Durham, NC | August 4-5, 2026
This conference will gather researchers, educators, and policymakers to examine how tax policy can advance sustainable management of forests and rangelands. Topics include conservation incentives, carbon project taxation, and estate planning for landowners.
This summer, NRFI will debut its first Executive Course Series focused on Natural Resources Finance. Designed for professionals across the environmental and finance sectors, these short courses will provide frameworks for valuation, funding, and implementation in natural resource industries.
“Ecosystem markets are becoming a key tool for conservation organizations seeking to achieve their goals. Reflecting this trend, many natural resource companies employ innovative financial models that monetize a wide range of both tangible and intangible ecosystem values.”
– Richard Bin Mei, Director, Natural Resources Finance Initiative
Course Topics Preview:
Check back soon for more information!
This summer, Master of Forestry (MF) and Master of Environmental Management (MEM) students traveled to Oregon as part of the annual Western Forestry Field Trip (ENV 760A) — a one-credit field course and highlight of the MF curriculum at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment.
The 2025 trip took students across Western Oregon, where they explored forest ecology, restoration practices, and land use policy through site visits and conversations with professionals working in the field. Over the course of the journey, students learned the balance between forest management, conservation goals, and economic realities, gaining perspectives that will shape their future work in sustainability and finance.
New Faces: Annabel Weyhrich joins NRFI as the new Marketing and Communications Assistant.
Annabel is a Duke MEM/MBA student passionate about forestry, conservation finance, and stakeholder engagement. She earned a degree in Natural Resource and Environmental Management from the University of Washington and began her career in the Development Department at Fred Hutch Cancer Center. At Duke, Annabel plans to drive positive change in climate resilience and is excited to learn more about how to secure and manage funding for sustainable forest projects and restoration efforts.
Join our growing network of students, professionals, and alumni working at the intersection of finance and sustainability.
