ABOUT US
Creating a new asset class, rooted in nature.
Year founded
Team members
Committed capital
Active projects
OUR STORY
Mobilising capital into nature, at scale
We mobilise capital into projects that protect, restore, and manage ecosystems worldwide. In every investment, our goal is the same: generate competitive financial returns, measurable climate benefits, and lasting biodiversity gains.
By uniting deep investment expertise, scientific rigour, and genuine local partnerships, Silvania delivers nature-based solutions at scale — from rainforest conservation and reforestation to sustainable forestry and marine protection.
Today our platform spans 14 active projects across 10 countries, with a strong and growing pipeline across Africa, Southeast Asia, and North America. We manage over 29 million hectares and have committed more than $500M of patient capital to the task of making nature pay — for investors, for communities, and for the planet.
Eelco Hoekstra on why nature must become an investable asset class
“Nature is the world’s most undervalued asset. We’re here to change that — not by talking about it, but by doing it.”
Our difference
Active developer and manager, not passive investor
Silvania is unique in that we both mobilise new investment into nature and take an active role in developing, managing, and scaling the projects that investment supports — from concept through to long-term management.
Our extensive global footprint gives us in-depth knowledge of jurisdictions, markets, and communities, ensuring we operate effectively in diverse environments where market, policy, and climate conditions are constantly evolving.
Boots on the ground
Local capability, engagement, and benefit-sharing is fundamental to long-term success. We invest in and partner with strategically located project development teams and NGOs, ensuring a presence from project conception to maturity.
Building local capability
We drive skills transfer, governance, and resource support to strengthen local institutions. Our involvement across the entire project lifecycle ensures benefits last well beyond initial investment.
Size and scale
A global pipeline spanning diverse ecosystems, supported by $500M of committed patient capital — enabling early engagement and fair payments to communities and landowners.
In-house experience
We originate, design, structure, and manage projects ourselves — from initial concept through long-term operational oversight. This active role reduces risk and strengthens both ecological and financial outcomes.
Knowledge & innovation
Collaborating with world-leading universities and labs, we deploy advanced monitoring and restoration techniques — from satellite imaging and bio-acoustics to innovative forest architecture.
FOCUS AREAS
Investing where nature matters most
Unlike traditional funds, we don’t simply provide capital — we work alongside local partners to design, implement, and manage projects over their entire lifecycle, ensuring measurable ecological integrity and lasting impact.
Our focus spans the full breadth of nature-based solutions — from the tropical forests of Latin America to the tidal wetlands of South Asia, and from the managed timberlands of North America to the savanna grasslands of Africa.
Wetlands & blue carbon
Sustainable forestry
Savanna & grasslands
Agricultural soils
Marine & coastal
Our leadership
The team behind Silvania
Silvania is led by an experienced executive team and board with deep expertise across natural capital investment, conservation science, and global commodity markets.
Our leadership works alongside over 130 staff and partners embedded in project regions across 10 countries — local experts who bring on-the-ground knowledge, community relationships, and operational capability to every project we develop.
Peter Seligmann
Chairman
For nearly 40 years, Peter Seligmann has been an influential and inspiring voice in conservation. His efforts have been shaped by a belief that societies will not thrive without a shared and integrated commitment to equity, environmental health and economic vitality.
He has worked closely with governments, multi-lateral and bi-lateral organizations, corporations, foundations, and civil society partners across multiple continents.
Peter Seligmann
Chairman
For nearly 40 years, Peter Seligmann has been an influential and inspiring voice in conservation. His efforts have been shaped by a belief that societies will not thrive without a shared and integrated commitment to equity, environmental health and economic vitality. He has worked closely with governments, multi-lateral and bi-lateral organizations, corporations, foundations, and civil society partners across multiple continents.
As a first-generation US citizen, Peter graduated from Rutgers University in 1972 and from Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Science in 1974. He worked for the Nature Conservancy in California from 1976 to 1986 and from 1986 to 1987 he led their International Program. In 1987, Peter, along with several colleagues, founded Conservation International, where he served as CEO and Chairman through 2017. Conservation International (CI) has emerged as a global leader in supporting healthy societies through the protection of vast ecologically vital regions on land and in the oceans.
Continuing as Chairman of CI, in 2017, Peter, along with several colleagues, founded Nia Tero, an organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous Peoples’ Guardianship of their territories. In the first 7 years Nia Tero partnered with over 300 Indigenous Peoples to support the protection of over 300,000,000 acres of their territorial waters and lands. In January of 2025, Peter stepped down as CEO and continues to serve on Nia Tero’s Board of Directors.
In 2025, Peter became the Chairman of Silvania, a natural capital fund committed to establishing Nature as an investable asset class. Also in 2025, Peter was appointed Distinguished Professor of Practice at Arizona State University.
He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, serves on the board of the Mulago Foundation, and the New School’s Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility.
Peter is a board member of Azul, a Brazilian Airline, and First Eagle Investment Holdings. He is on the Advisory Board of BDT/MSD Partners and GITI corporation, a Singaporean corporation. Peter and his wife, Lee Rhodes (the founder of Glassybaby), split their time between Montana and Seattle, and have between them 6 children and a growing number of grandchildren.
Eelco Hoekstra
Chief Executive Officer
Eelco Hoekstra is the CEO of Silvania, where he leads efforts to develop sustainable and innovative solutions in the energy and natural resources sectors.
With a focus on driving growth, fostering collaboration, and advancing sustainability, Mr. Hoekstra brings decades of leadership experience to his role at Silvania.
Eelco Hoekstra
Chief Executive Officer
Eelco Hoekstra is the CEO of Silvania, where he leads efforts to develop sustainable and innovative solutions in the energy and natural resources sectors. With a focus on driving growth, fostering collaboration, and advancing sustainability, Mr. Hoekstra brings decades of leadership experience to his role at Silvania.
Prior to joining Silvania, Mr. Hoekstra held several prominent executive positions. He served as Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Royal Vopak, the world’s leading independent tank storage company, listed on Euronext Amsterdam. During his tenure from 2011 to 2022, he oversaw the expansion of Vopak’s global network of marine terminals, ensuring the safe, efficient, and sustainable storage and handling of oil, gas, chemicals, biofuels, and vegetable oils. With over 20 years of international experience in the tank storage industry, he held leadership roles across the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia.
In 2022, Mr. Hoekstra joined the Executive Board of SHV Holding, a global family-owned company operating across multiple industries, including energy distribution, animal nutrition, and private equity. He also undertook an interim advisory role at &Samhoud in 2024, where he established an AI Advisory Practice for Boards.
Beyond his executive roles, Mr. Hoekstra serves as Chairman of the Board of the SCAD Foundation of Ahold Delhaize, is a member of the Supervisory Board of the Erasmus University Trust Fund, and chairs the Jury for the Young Captain Award.
He holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
PARTNERSHIPS
Strategic partnerships at the heart of our model
World Economic Forum
Villars Institute
University partnerships
OUR NETWORK
Project developers, government entities, and local partners across our portfolio.
Governance & transparency
Operating to the highest standards
IC-VCM aligned
All Silvania projects are assessed against the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market’s Core Carbon Principles — the most rigorous quality framework in the industry.
Impact reporting
Silvania is committed to transparent reporting on ecological, climate, and community outcomes across the portfolio
Environmental & social management
A comprehensive Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) governs all project activity, ensuring community rights, biodiversity safeguards, and social standards are upheld at every stage.
Next steps
Discover how Silvania can work for you
FOR CORPORATES
Source high-integrity carbon credits
Access verified, nature-based environmental credits from our global portfolio — each one actively managed and aligned with the highest certification standards.
FOR INVESTORS
Invest in natural capital
Gain exposure to a diversified portfolio of high-integrity nature projects actively developed and managed by Silvania’s in-country teams.
OUR PORTFOLIO