Developing and managing forestry and nature-based solutions with measurable impact and long-term value.
Keystone Forestry Partners is a pioneering forestry investment advisory and management firm based in the Netherlands. We design, develop, finance and manage high-quality forestry and nature-based solutions that generate financial returns alongside meaningful environmental and social impact. Our focus is on Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Our name is inspired by nature. The founders bring decades of experience in forest ecology, operational management and investment, combined with a strong personal and professional commitment to the sustainable management, conservation and restoration of forests and biodiversity.
In ecology, keystone species —such as jaguars, wolves or beavers— play a critical role in maintaining the health of ecosystems, despite their limited numbers. This principle reflects how we approach our work: creating focused, high-quality interventions that generate lasting positive impact for communities, nature and the global climate.
We combine scientific credibility with a grounded, human approach, built on innovation, strong operational and financial performance, natural forest restoration, and social inclusion.
In ecology, keystone species —such as jaguars, wolves or beavers— play a critical role in maintaining the health of ecosystems, despite their limited numbers.
Develop, advise on, invest in and manage high-quality, innovative and sustainable forestry and nature-based solutions in the (sub)tropical forest zones of Latin America and Africa, balancing financial returns with ecological and social impact.
We believe that the great challenges of our time — climate change, biodiversity loss, geopolitical uncertainty, technological change and a growing wealth gap— require new solutions and business models. These must help to conserve and restore our planet, climate, nature and communities, and be built on long-term strategies and partnerships that connect local communities with global markets in respectful and mutually beneficial relations.
For too long our economic models have come at the expense of what we value most. We are committed to developing and showcasing forestry and nature-based solutions that deliver real impact alongside solid financial returns. By doing so, we aim to provide practical examples of how economies can become more regenerative, inclusive, and resilient for current and future generations.
Keystone Forestry Partners is built on six core values that guide decision-making, partnerships, and investment strategies:
Excellence
Accountability
Integrity
Curiosity
Kindness
Courage
Keystone Forestry Partners was created in 2024 by Managing Partners Rik Sools and Erik Schinkel, who bring over 50 years of combined experience in the development and operational management of forestry assets.
Based in the Netherlands and drawing on extensive international experience, the team actively develops, manages and supports investments across Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on innovation, continuous improvement, risk management and multiple value creation (ecology-social-economic/financial) for investors, portfolio companies and other stakeholders.
Keystone Forestry Partners is fully owned by the firm’s partners, and we seek strong alignment with our investors across our mandates.
Rik Sools: Managing Partner
Rik has over 18 years’ experience in sustainable forestry investments and forest sector consulting, and has founded and managed several forestry and nature-based solutions businesses. Before starting Keystone Forestry Partners,
Rik served in various expert and executive roles with Form International and Treevive, where he provided management and technical assistance to investors, private and public sector clients, and NGOs. This included structuring and raising over US$40 million from development finance institutions, impact investors and public donors (a.o. AfDB, FMO, Triodos Bank, conservation NGOs, philanthropy).
Rik has delivered project design, Due Diligence (technical, market, ESG) and valuation services covering 2.5 million hectares of SFM natural forest and (agro)forestry plantations in 15 countries in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe and was closely involved with the management of 30,000 hectares of agroforestry plantation assets in Ghana and Tanzania (2008-2020).
Erik Schinkel: Managing Partner
Erik has over 30 years of experience managing large-scale forest plantation assets for US-based TIMOs and private investors in rural areas of Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador and Peru. He also co-owned and managed timber harvesting, processing and marketing businesses.
Erik is a specialist in the development, implementation, and management of forestry projects within complex rural and institutional contexts. Erik has been responsible for a.o. forestry plantation operations, P&L, FSC certification, R&D, HCV management, complex stakeholder relations involving local communities and Panama Canal Authorities, and reporting to institutional investors.
Over the past three years, Erik has advised forestry carbon projects and investors across Latin America, Africa and Asia, and expanded his experience in carbon certification and implementation under Verra, Gold Standard and Plan Vivo.
