By Editor, Global AgInvesting Media
On August 5, Resource Management Service, LLC (RMS) announced its historic entry into the Pacific Northwest timberland market.
Executed on behalf of the RMS Evergreen U.S. Forestland Fund, the expansion was accomplished through a strategic portfolio exchange with Rayonier Inc. This transaction marks the Evergreen Fund’s inaugural acquisition in the Pacific Northwest, representing a pivotal milestone in the fund’s disciplined asset allocation strategy.
Asset Exchange and Portfolio Diversification
Under the terms of the agreement, the Evergreen Fund traded approximately 57,000 acres of timberland located across Texas and Alabama in exchange for approximately 36,000 acres of high-quality timberland in coastal Washington, including prime acreage in the Grays River Basin.
This asset exchange significantly enhances the Fund’s biological and geographic profile:
- Species Addition: The acquired Washington acreage introduces high-value timber species—primarily Douglas-fir and western hemlock—to complement the southern yellow pine that anchors the Fund’s holdings in the U.S. South.
- Geographic Balance: Expanding into coastal Washington reduces regional concentration risk by establishing a strong footprint in one of North America’s most productive timber-growing regions.
Market Advantages and Economic Rationale
Alex Hinson, President and Chief Executive Officer of RMS, emphasized that the transaction positions the Evergreen Fund’s portfolio for long-term growth and stability.
“This transaction positions the Evergreen Fund’s portfolio for the future,” said Hinson in the press release. “Expanding the Fund into the Pacific Northwest increases its geographic diversification and strengthens its access to domestic markets in the Lower Columbia River Valley and export markets through the Port of Longview. Together, these advantages enhance the Fund’s ability to create sustainable value for its investors.”
The acquisition grants the Fund direct access to two major commercial avenues:
- Domestic Processing Markets: Proximity to active domestic processing centers throughout the Lower Columbia River Valley.
- Export Infrastructure: Direct access to global export trade routes via the Port of Longview.
Together, these commercial drivers should bolster the Fund’s supply chain flexibility, operational efficiency, and overall capability to generate enduring financial value for its institutional investors.
Sustainability and Indigenous Partnerships
Consistent with its long-standing corporate stewardship philosophy, RMS confirmed that it will maintain third-party environmental certification for the newly acquired acreage under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI®) standards.
Furthermore, RMS will continue an established salmon habitat restoration partnership on the Grays River Basin property in collaboration with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. This ongoing initiative reflects RMS’s commitment to sustainable forest management, ecological conservation, and active collaboration with Indigenous communities and local stakeholders.
Background on Resource Management Service
Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, RMS operates as an employee-owned timberland investment manager overseeing roughly $5.8 billion in assets across the United States and Brazil. As an SEC-registered investment adviser, the company specializes in acquiring and managing working forests, balancing timber yields with environmental compliance and conservation initiatives.
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