Mr. Belton is a recognized expert on carbon forestry in New Zealand and played a significant role in the establishment of the New Zealand Permanent Forest Sink Initiative – the legislative agenda that established the basis for carbon forestry in the country. In his role with Forest Systems NZ, LLC, Mr. Belton will lead the company’s work with governmental agencies at the national and local level to ensure favorable policy, regulations and local initiatives in support of the Fund’s undertakings. He also will participate in the strategic design of acquisition and forest design processes that maximize carbon capture while maintaining public acceptance and support for the program. Mr. Belton has an established history advising land owners and managers on the acquisition, management and disposition of forest estates, including the establishment of carbon forests. In addition to New Zealand, he has worked in Australia as well as other locales in the Southern Hemisphere and Europe. Prior to founding his own firm, Belton was a senior consultant with the New Zealand Ministry of Forestry. In that capacity, he served as national team leader of the Forestry Development Group, which provided strategic and technical advice to forestry investors. Mr. Belton began his career as a forester with the New Zealand Forest Service in 1976. He holds a BSc from the University of Canterbury and a degree in Natural Resource Management from Lincoln University.