UPM has sold a conservation easement on 187,876 acres of its forest in Minnesota for US$44m.
The sale, to the state of Minnesota, will keep the land under UPM’s ownership and it can continue to use it as a working forest.
The easement provides the public with access for recreational purposes such as hunting, fishing and hiking.
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative-certified forest, which is managed under UPM’s Smart Forestry system, will be audited by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for compliance to conservation values.
UPM described the sale as a landmark conservation easement in the US.
“UPM believes in the multiple uses of our forest resources for economic, ecological and public benefit, and our forestry professionals have always managed the land for these varied uses,” said UPM’s Joe Maher.
