Patrick

Recent Posts by Patrick

• Using Trustee for UK clients
• Silva Tree Returns Paid Out
• Silva Tree Princess Project Panama
• Silva Tree Princess Project Carbon Credit Validation
• Silva Tree in Panama for Xmas
• Silva Tree in Costa Rica - Carbon Offset Reforestation
• Silva Tree Biomass Project by Patrick Visser (update 27/04/2010)
• Silva Tree - My recent visit to Georgia and Panama (Patrick Visser)
• Paulownia for Biomass

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Patrick's Blog

Is Anyone Safe From Fraudsters

Thankfully, all the organisation that have used our materials unlawfully have either been closed down or are under scam investigations, but Silva Tree have had to spend a great deal of time and money fighting those who have used our information without consent, and for fraudulent purposes.

The connection between a scam and information theft is quite simple:  If a company cannot create its own marketing materials, investment structure or documents, what are the chances that they can create a genuine investment opportunity?  If their brochure is stolen, chances are the product is a scam.  

Aside from the risk of being associated with such organisations, Silva Tree have felt a responsibility to remove these fraudsters from the investment world and to protect their potential scam victims.  So far, all the companies that have stolen materials from Silva Tree bar one (although they only pinched one small image to be fair) have turned out to be running a scam and have been caught.

Silva Tree just hopes that they were stopped before they managed to scam innocent people and to tarnish the investment world with their crimes.

Paulownia for Biomass

Biomass is a biological material, derived from any organic object, typically plant material.  Biomass is increasingly being used for energy production, because it is a renewable and effective fuel.  Unlike fuels which have been trapped under the surface of the Earth for thousands of years, such as coal or oil, biomass is in general produced from a newly grown or waste material such as trees, grasses or rubbish, so burning it does not release ancient Carbon into today's atmosphere.  Although burning biomass does release Carbon, it only releases the Carbon that it has already absorbed from today's atmosphere, so its sequestration and release process is CO2 neutral. 

Fast growing trees such as Paulownia are particularly effective for biomass production.  The energy in Paulownia biomass effectively comes from the sun as the plant photosynthesizes solar energy into biomass.  The tree's trunk and branches are processed into either pellets, chips or briquettes and can then be used to fuel electricity plants, just like coal.  The best thing about Paulownia biomass is that, if made into briquettes, it can be used in existing coal fuelled plants with only small modifications to the plant.

Alternatively, a biomass fuelled electricity plant can be built and fuelled by purchased biomass or by a plantation.  Paulownia is especially suitable for this, as it will regenerate from its roots after harvest and can be harvested for biomass production every 3 years.  A robust species, it will grow even in degraded soil close to an electricity plant.

One of the main objections to biofuels is that growing biofuel takes up valuable food crop land.  Paulwonia, however, will grow in land unsuitable for food cultivation, thereby eliminating the ethical problem.

Silva Tree Panama is launching its Paulownia for Biomass Project this month.  The project will be managed by Silva Tree and will concentrate on the generation of Paulownia for Biomass production.  The Paulownia for Biomass project is being financed by a bespoke fund, which is open to investment.  The general partner of the fund is a UK FSA-regulated trustee.

Alternative Energy Investment: From Black Gold to Green Gold

If you’re a news hound, and perhaps even if you’re not, you’re sure to keep on hearing about climate change, green energy, UN summits, energy independence, wind, solar, biomass, and then about how green energy is the hottest investment since, well the other types of energy. If you take a quick look at the Fortune Global 500 list or lists of the world’s most profitable companies you’ll note that the higher rankings are dominated by traditional energy firms: Shell, Exxon, ConocoPhilipps, Gazprom, and even BP. Energy is needed by everyone, fact. However it’s also a fact that world governments have strict, and in many cases legally binding targets to increase the use of renewable forms of energy within their territories. So it stands to reason that green energy is the future. And it’s not hard to imagine that in 20 years from now the world’s most profitable companies or world’s greatest investments will not be what they are today. The most profitable companies going forward or investments will be those that provide solutions now to the big challenges.

At Silva Tree we are getting ready for the launch of what has become a highly anticipated fund for biomass energy. Biomass is a biological material derived from living organisms, commonly trees or woody material. The material is converted to energy through combustion, however it is carbon neutral because when it releases carbon into the atmosphere that carbon is then absorbed by the growth of new biomass. Biomass is produced in three different forms; briquettes, pellets and chips and then shipped off to the generators for conversion into energy which powers our lights, heaters and plasma TV's.

Biomass is an alternative energy source that is rapidly gaining acceptance. Part of the reason for this is that energy firms that currently burn coal can easily convert their existing plants to burn biomass, and because biomass is a renewable energy source governments may give subsidies and tax benefits for converting. For example the UK energy firm Drax, also the largest emitter of CO2 in Britain, plans to convert its coal fired stations to biomass within ten years. The CEO stated in the Guardian newspaper recently "Drax is a viable business today as a coal plant. But the opportunity to turn it into a renewable power company is an exciting one and makes sense for the UK's carbon targets and for our shareholders."

Silva Tree will provide its biomass from the fund investment to energy firms, both private and state owned. At our plantations in Panama we cultivate the fast growing and resistant Paulownia Elongata tree. This is a fascinating tree and has adapted well to the Panamanian environment. We are already using it for our Princess Project timber investment. It means that, in Panama, in just three short years after planting the trees are then ready to be used for biomass energy, the trees then regenerate and are ready again in another three years. Of all the biomass sources out there Paulownia is perhaps the most ideal, but also at this point a best kept secret. That is why our biomass project is attracting so much attention, and we at Silva Tree are extremely excited about the prospect for our biomass and the biomass fund itself.

The biomass fund is due for launch to the investment market shortly and will be available to individual investors and institutions. If you'd like to hear more about how you can get involved please contact Silva Tree directly or visit http://www.silvatree.com/biomass-investment.html

Silva Tree Princess Project Carbon Credit Validation

Following many months of development, the Princess Project is finally ready to be validated under the Voluntary Carbon Standard, the first stage of achieving certification.  The official VCS auditor selected for the task is the Rainforest Alliance. The Rainforest Alliance is an international non-profit organization accredited by the American National Standards Institute to ISO 14065:2007 (the international standard for greenhouse gas validation and verification bodies). An experienced Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) auditor will perform a number of tests on the project to ensure its design meets the VCS.  Once the Princess Project validation has been completed, the monitoring plan for Carbon sequestration will commence and the Carbon project will undergo verification to ensure the correct amount of Carbon has been absorbed by the Paulownia trees. The Rainforest Alliance will most likely be selected to perform this stage of VCS certification as well.

The Princess Project Panama is a reforestation project using the fast growing tree species Paulownia Elongata. Although it is a commercial timber plantation, the project is also being developed as a Carbon offset project by Silva Tree Panama.

The Princess Project Panama continues to be sold as an investment opportunity by Silva Tree and its network of agents.

Silva Tree - My recent visit to Georgia and Panama (Patrick Visser)

During our recent visit to Georgia we met with Dr. Nirmal Joshee and his team from Fort Valley State University where we visited their test site, where they are growing Paulownia for Biomass production.

We also received laboratory test results from the University of Georgia stating the chemical components of Paulownia for Biomass. With this information, we are now ready to meet with a variety of Energy Companies that we have lined up, and sign an off-take agreement with one of them for the purchase of the biomass the Silva Tree Biomass Project will produce.

Whilst at Fort Valley State Uni, we met with a delegation of Southern Company, the second largest energy producer in the world, as they were there to look into Paulownia for Biomass for their own Energy plants. Please see our Photo Diary for images of the visit. http://www.silvatree.com/photo-diary.html

It is safe to say Silva Tree are getting closer and closer to starting our Biomass Project in Panama.

Silva Tree Returns Paid Out

Last month, Citadel Trustees distributed the first year's returns to all the investors in Silva Tree's project in Costa Rica, which is now sold out.  All our clients received their money on time, to the account of their choice and we had absolutely no complaints.  It would appear that Citadel have been in business for 25 years for good reason, with the returns payment going really smoothly.

Several people have recently asked to invest (or reinvest) in the first Silva Tree project but unfortunately it is sold out.  The amount of land we release to investment is limited and our projects sell out quickly, so to those who missed out, we apologise.

The Princess Project Panama is our current investment opportunity.  It is a Paulownia plantation (a fast growing hardwood) and, as usual, is an environemtal project.  Although we do harvest the trees, we make sure that we cut them in cycles and they re-grow, therefore we maintain Carbon stocks at all times.

Latest Panama Visit - Part 2

Fellow co-owner Keren Katz and I met with an esteemed group of influential public figures from the local area, including the Police Commissioner of East Panama, Director of Ministry of Public Works, Head of the Judicial Investigation Department (Public Ministry)and the Mayor of the District of Chepo.

The local authorities were supportive and enthusiastic about the project because of the improvements to the quality of life for the local community as well as the implications for the local wildlife and natural habitat.

Police support was achieved for security matters in addition to providing an increasingly safe community for the local inhabitants.

The road authorities came up with a proposal for the upcoming road and bridge improvements, which will facilitate transportation of all goods and services in and out of the local area.

The Mayor gave support on behalf of the local people recognising the project's impact on the ecosystem and quality of life for the region and its inhabitants.  He also promised to assist with the project development as much as possible, which is extremely positive.

Chepo is a farming district, and the dry season is a difficult time for many of its inhabitants. The drought makes farming impossible, and many people turn to rainforest logging just to make ends meet during these hard months.

Climate change seems to be elongating the dry season in Panama, magnifying the problem even further. By providing long-term employment for the local people, Silva Tree can bring them away from deforestation practices and provide them with a secure, sustainable income.

Local leaders and the department of environment see this aspect of the Princess Project as a crucial effect on the district of Chepo and the country as a whole.

The final part of our visit will be posted in the next few days so please look out for it, as it focuses on our work with the community in more detail.

Latest Panama visit - part 1

Rather than spending Xmas eve under the Xmas tree, myself and Keren Katz, founding Directors of Silva Tree Panama, spent it amongst the Paulownia trees in Panama.

Making the 2 1/2 hour drive from Panama City to the district of Chepo with Forestry Engineer Herminio Rodriguez, we inspected the plantation and existing facilities. It is currently dry season in Panama, and the view that greeted us, unhindered by heavy rain as experienced during our previous visits, was spectacular in the sunshine.

We were able to enter parts of the plantation that were previously uncomfortable to reach due to rain, and were surprised to discover some interesting features: The project site is adjacent to a small patch of natural primary rainforest which is protected by the governmental department of environment, ANAM. This little island of rainforest is home to Spider Monkeys, rare tree species, extremely rare spiders and birds.

We were told that the plantation staff are often greeted by the inquisitive and surprisingly tame Spider Monkeys who swing in the trees nearby.

"Having trees adjacent to this patch of forest is invaluable to these animals, it will allow them to escape their isolated area of forest for the first time in over 30 years" says Herminio who has known the land around Chepo all his life.

Onsite facilities have been under development for several months and it was gratifying to see them taking shape. Upon inspection, additional facilities were added to the development plan, some of which will accommodate visitors to the project site.

Keren and I were joined by the company's third director to meet with the project team leaders in Panama City, and decisions were made about future projects, community benefits and company expansion which will be shared with you in due course.

Look out for Part 2 of my Latest Panama Visit in the next few days!

Silva Tree in Panama for Xmas

The Silva Tree team would like to send our compliments of the season; wishing you a Merry Xmas, Chanukah, Al Hijira and a Happy New Year!

Silva Tree are spending their Christmas in Panama, visiting the local communities, environmental authorities and rainforests! Pictures will be posted on the website in the new year.

Silva Tree Biomass Project by Patrick Visser (update 27/04/2010)

I am happy to announce that we will be launching our Biomass project in the second quarter of 2010. We are dealing with Energy Companies to purchase the Biomass produced and the details will follow soon. In a nutshell it will be as follows:

We will plant 3000 - 5000 ha of trees
We will harvest one third per year from year 3, thus ensuring a guaranteed amout of Biomass every year from year 3 onwards
We will sell the biomass to Energy Plants
The investor will have annualy returns from year 3 onwards.

I have no idea about the investment level yet, as we will have to negotiate the contract with the Biomass plant first, but rest assured that we will work with the Trustee again, we will buy the land first, we will plant the seedlings first and we will have the contracts all in place, before we offer it to investors. I am sure everybody will be keen to learn the numbers and would like everybody to keep looking at our website (www.silvatree.com), as we will always put the news there first.

I will try to keep this blog up to date a bit more, but with all the travelling it is at times difficult to find time, as I also like to spend time with my family.

Silva Tree Princess Project Panama

It has been a long time since i have posted something on this blog, so let's add a lot. We have now successfully finished the set up of our project in Panama and Silva Tree is very happy to announce the official launch of the Princess Project in Panama. Last week I was in the US to obtain the liability guarantee insurance agaist the timber purchase contract and this completed the project.
We are certain we are the only forestry project out there, that already has the timber sold prior to harvest. This together with the Trustee set up, makes this a very secure investment.
Please do let me know if anybody would like to comment on our project.

Carbon Credit Sales Boom

Merrill Lynch, the banking giant, announced a $9M deal to buy Carbon offset credits produced by an avoided deforestation scheme.  This is great news for our project because it means that if these kinds of organisations are buying into our market, selling the credits will continue to be as easy as it is proving to be now.  In fact, Carbon is believed by many of the big banks to become "the world's biggest commodity market"( Barclays Capital), so it looks as if our projected returns on investment will be growing.

Using Trustee for UK clients

Today we have made the decision to use a UK trustee for our project. It would still appear that clients in the UK do not like to send money overseas. Obviously it is an avantage for our clients as another body has done due diligence on us and we believe in being totally transparent. Furthermore have we extended the lease period to 50 years and this is renewable. This gives our clients the possibility to sell their lease whenever they want it. Hopefully next week more news of the development of our Green Investment project.

Silva Tree in Costa Rica - Carbon Offset Reforestation

Since coming back from Costa Rica early October it has been a mad rush. From getting all the materials ready, website, brochures, legal structure, etc. to starting the actual selling it has been very hectic indeed. It is however good to do something that will make a difference and as we are the first to set up a project like this and open it up for private individuals and companies, it will be fun to see all the reactions. So far it has been very succesful, and we cannot wait to get our first press releases out. We have a TV program interested in doing a program on our project, so we will keep you posted with our progress. I will try to answer all questions as soon as possible and look forward to receiving your feedback.

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