BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group and Tacoma Public Utilities Finalize 579-Acre Conservation Deal to Safeguard the Green River Watershed
In a landmark move for watershed protection and sustainable land management, Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) in Washington State has acquired approximately 579 acres of forested land in the Green River Watershed from BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group (TIG). The purchase marks a significant stride toward preserving the region’s water resources, enhancing ecosystem health, and advancing collaborative conservation efforts between public and private entities.
The newly protected land lies within a critical area that directly supports Tacoma’s municipal water system, serving as a key source of clean drinking water for more than 350,000 people across the region. This acquisition underscores the growing recognition that healthy forests and intact watersheds are essential for long-term water quality, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
A Strategic Purchase for Water Protection
The 579-acre parcel was sold from BTG Pactual TIG’s core U.S. timberland strategy, a diversified portfolio encompassing more than 1.1 million acres of sustainably managed forestlands across 11 states. The transaction represents a balance between economic investment and ecological responsibility, reflecting a shared commitment between the public and private sectors to manage forest assets in ways that deliver both financial returns and environmental benefits.
Tacoma Public Utilities financed the purchase using grant funds provided by King County’s Conservation Futures Tax Levy Reimbursable grant program, which is designed to preserve high-priority lands for open space, wildlife habitat, and watershed protection. Through this mechanism, TPU was able to permanently conserve the property and prevent potential future development or land-use changes that could threaten the watershed’s integrity.
“This is a milestone achievement for water resource management in our region,” said Keri Burchard-Juarez, Superintendent of Tacoma Water. “Protecting this land within the Green River Watershed is critical to ensuring clean, reliable drinking water for the communities we serve. We are grateful to BTG Pactual TIG and The Nature Conservancy for their collaboration in making this long-term investment in water security and conservation possible.”
The Importance of the Green River Watershed
The Green River Watershed spans approximately 490 square miles of forest, encompassing 2,000 miles of rivers and streams that supply up to 150 million gallons of municipal water per day. This makes it one of the most vital water sources in western Washington. The forested lands within the watershed act as a natural filtration system, improving water quality by reducing sedimentation, regulating streamflow, and supporting diverse wildlife populations.
Maintaining healthy forest cover is essential for sustaining these ecological functions. Unchecked development, logging, or land conversion could increase erosion and runoff, degrading water quality for downstream communities. The acquisition by Tacoma Public Utilities ensures that this portion of the watershed will remain protected from such threats, maintaining its ability to provide clean, stable water supplies well into the future.
The protection effort also aligns with Washington State’s broader environmental and climate goals, emphasizing natural resource conservation and climate adaptation. By preserving forest lands in the Green River Basin, TPU and its partners are safeguarding both the ecological integrity of the watershed and the reliability of a public water source that tens of thousands of households depend on daily.
A Model for Collaborative Conservation
This transaction exemplifies how innovative public-private partnerships can achieve large-scale conservation outcomes. The deal was completed as part of an ongoing collaboration between BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Through its conservation finance and impact investment arm, NatureVest, TNC serves as a conservation advisor for BTG Pactual TIG’s U.S. timberland portfolio.
The partnership is designed to manage commercial forests sustainably—integrating biodiversity conservation, climate mitigation, and community benefits alongside economic performance. By embedding environmental objectives into timberland investment strategies, BTG Pactual TIG and TNC are demonstrating how private capital can contribute meaningfully to public good.
“This transaction is a powerful example of how cross-sector collaboration can unlock conservation at scale,” said Cat Burns, Interim Managing Director of NatureVest at The Nature Conservancy. “The transaction between BTG Pactual TIG and Tacoma Water—a utility company investing directly in watershed protection—demonstrates how commercial forestry can align with long-term ecological stewardship. NatureVest is proud to help deliver tangible conservation outcomes while meeting the needs of diverse stakeholders.”
Sustainable Forestry Meets Long-Term Stewardship
BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group, one of the world’s largest timberland managers, oversees a portfolio of forest assets designed to generate financial returns while delivering environmental and social value. Through sustainable forestry practices, TIG manages these lands for carbon sequestration, habitat protection, and long-term ecosystem stability.
“This milestone reflects our ongoing efforts to align investment strategy with environmental stewardship,” said David Cassels, Head of U.S. Portfolio Management at BTG Pactual TIG. “We are proud to support the long-term protection of the Green River Watershed and look forward to continuing our work with The Nature Conservancy to unlock conservation value across our portfolio.”
The collaboration with The Nature Conservancy and NatureVest enables BTG Pactual TIG to integrate science-based management frameworks into its investment strategies, ensuring that forest assets are managed not only for economic performance but also for ecological resilience and climate benefits.
By strategically selling select parcels to conservation-minded buyers like Tacoma Public Utilities, TIG can both realize investment value and ensure that critical landscapes are permanently protected. These transactions create win-win outcomes: investors benefit from responsible asset management, while communities gain from safeguarded natural resources and improved environmental quality.
Building a Sustainable Legacy
The conservation of 579 acres in the Green River Watershed represents far more than a land transaction—it signifies a growing shift toward integrated natural resource management that bridges conservation, commerce, and community needs.
For Tacoma Public Utilities, this acquisition is a vital part of its long-term water stewardship strategy, reinforcing its mission to provide reliable, safe drinking water while protecting the ecosystems that sustain it. For BTG Pactual TIG and The Nature Conservancy, it is a demonstration of how responsible investment and environmental science can work hand in hand to deliver measurable conservation results at scale.
As climate change and population growth continue to pressure water systems globally, the partnership offers a replicable model for other regions seeking to protect essential watersheds. By aligning financial investment with conservation outcomes, stakeholders can achieve lasting ecological resilience while meeting public demand for sustainable resources.
Ultimately, the Green River Watershed project showcases the future of conservation finance—where natural assets are valued not only for what they produce, but for the essential life-supporting services they provide. Through thoughtful collaboration, science-driven planning, and shared vision, projects like this one ensure that future generations will continue to benefit from clean water, thriving forests, and resilient landscapes across the Pacific Northwest.