JACKSON, Miss. (News release) -- The Molpus Woodlands Group, LLC (Molpus), a leading timberland investment management organization, has, on behalf of its clients, successfully purchased approximately 173,000 acres of timberland in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi combined.

The properties consist of well-managed, high quality timberlands. Molpus believes these timberlands present a desirable investment opportunity because they are strategically located in areas with diverse and numerous pulpwood, plywood, and dimensional lumber facilities, strong mill proximity and growth potential. The timberlands also present potential diversified income opportunities such as solar projects, carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, recreation income, and pine straw harvesting.

Molpus's vertically integrated team will oversee the management of these timberlands including daily operations such as planning sustainable harvests, reforesting and nurturing young stands, and protecting wildlife habitat and water resources. In addition to these core management activities, Molpus will focus on creating long-term value through existing and new value add opportunities to help enhance both the investment potential as well as the environmental and community impacts of these forests. Molpus plans to include these timberlands in its certification with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® forest management standard, which includes key measures to protect biodiversity, sustainable harvest levels, water quality, protection of at-risk species, wildlife habitat, and regeneration.

"As a long-time manager in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, we are excited to add these forests to regions where we already have a strong presence," said Terrell Winstead, President and CEO of Molpus. "It is our view that these properties provide our clients with positive exposure to areas with established histories of sustainable timber production as well as numerous impact and value add opportunities."