Acquired by the EFM-Sojitz Forest Fund, EFM Fund IV, and private investors, the 29,000-acre property expands opportunities for sustainable timber production, carbon sequestration, and conservation at scale.
(PORTLAND, OR), – EFM Investments & Advisory (EFM) announced July 31, 2026, the acquisition of Nehalem Rainforest, a 29,000-acre forestland property on Oregon’s North Coast, from Weyerhaeuser. The property will be managed by EFM using its approach to climate-smart forestry, which integrates sustainable timber production with carbon sequestration, watershed protection, recreation, biodiversity enhancement, and conservation outcomes.
The acquisition was completed through a joint investment that includes the EFM-Sojitz Forest Fund, EFM Fund IV, and other private investors. The acquisition marks the first investment by the EFM-Sojitz Forest Fund and represents EFM’s second-largest acquisition to date. The EFM-Sojitz Forest Fund is a new joint venture between EFM and Sojitz Corporation (Sojitz). In 2025 the partners established a forestry investment fund to generate high-integrity carbon credits and promote climate-smart forest stewardship among Japanese corporations.
With this purchase, EFM has successfully deployed more than $325 million into forestland assets since October 2024 and now manages more than 220,000 acres across its portfolio. The acquisition reflects continued investor demand for high-quality forestland and EFM’s ability to bring together corporate investors and institutional capital to advance climate-smart forestry across large and ecologically significant landscapes.
THE PROPERTY & MANAGEMENT PLAN
Located within the Nehalem watershed near the communities of Cannon Beach and Seaside, the property consists of highly productive coastal temperate rainforest with extensive Douglas-fir and western hemlock forests, significant salmon-bearing streams, and adjacency to protected public lands, including Oswald West State Park and Tillamook State Forest. The property also includes portions of the drinking watershed for the City of Seaside.
‘The Nehalem Rainforest embodies the type of landscape we believe is best positioned to deliver long-term financial and environmental value,’ said Bettina von Hagen, Chief Executive Officer of EFM. ‘It is a powerful example of how climate-smart forestry can generate high-quality timber and community benefits while enhancing the health and resilience of the broader landscape. We are grateful to our investors, including the EFM-Sojitz Forest Fund, whose support enabled this important acquisition and the long-term stewardship of this remarkable landscape.’
EFM plans to manage the property to FSC forest management certification and evaluate opportunities for future conservation easements, carbon project development, and partnerships with tribes, conservation organizations, and public agencies.
Nehalem Rainforest contains an estimated 2.5 million metric tons of aboveground forest carbon and is situated in a region with relatively low wildfire risk due to its maritime climate and high annual rainfall.
About the EFM-Sojitz Forest Fund
Launched in 2025, the EFM-Sojitz Forest Fund was established to channel Japanese corporate investment into climate-smart forestry opportunities in the U.S. that generate timber, carbon, and conservation value. The investment Fund creates new opportunities to scale climate-smart forestry investments while connecting global corporate capital with high-quality forestland assets in North America.
About EFM & EFM Fund IV
EFM Investments & Advisory, LLC (EFM) is an investment and management firm that acquires forests and implements climate-smart strategies in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. EFM Fund IV is EFM’s fourth closed-end private equity vehicle and aims to acquire U.S. commercial forestland and implement a climate-smart investment strategy across the United States. The Fund was launched in 2024 and now has two forestland investments in Oregon and Washington. Its climate -smart strategy seeks to enhance value by combining timber production with revenues from carbon sequestration, conservation, recreation, and biodiversity initiatives.
INFORMATION ON ACCESS PERMITS TO NEHALEM RAINFOREST AREA:
EFM Investments & Advisory (EFM) recently acquired a portion of Weyerhaeuser’s former Clatsop-Jewel Permit Area, which will now be known as the Nehalem Rainforest Permit Area. Please note that the Nehalem Rainforest Permit Area includes only a portion of the former Clatsop-Jewel Permit Area. You can view a map of the new permit area above.
EFM is currently transitioning the recreational permit program for the newly acquired property to My Outdoor Agent (MOA). Moving forward, the permit program will be administered through MOA, which will serve as the primary platform for permit registration and permit-related questions.
The Nehalem Rainforest Permit Area is currently being set up in MOA and permits are not yet available. Once permits are ready, we will provide additional information and instructions for obtaining a permit.
Please note that permits for the Nehalem Rainforest Permit Area will be free of charge, and the property will be open for non-motorized recreational access only.
If you have any questions, please contact our team at 980-294-0078 or help@myoutdooragent.com.
