The IT entrepreneur who has become a biodiversity bank through Visne ängar
Peter Neubauer, a passionate technology entrepreneur and investor, together with Insamlingsstiftelsen Framtidens Natur & Kulturarv (the Foundation for Future Nature & Cultural Heritage), has embarked on a groundbreaking collaborative project in Sweden to preserve biodiversity. By acquiring Visne ängar - Anningåkre, a unique area of over 90 hectares located west of Ljugarn in southeastern Gotland, he acts as a kind of liquidity fund for nature. A land lease agreement then grants the foundation the immediate opportunity to resume proper management practices, initiate habitat restoration such as wetlands, natural grazing areas, and increase the proportion of deciduous trees. It also provides the foundation with a respite to mobilize resources to eventually purchase the land outright.
Investing for positive change
When Peter Neubauer talks about Visne ängar - Anningåkre, his eyes light up with enthusiasm. He has just returned home to Malmö from a visit to the area, accompanied by, among others, Sindre Magnusson, the chairman of the foundation.
- Already when we came across this area and realized the incredible natural and cultural values it holds, it felt awe-inspiring. We saw pictures and thought that we must try to protect and manage it for the long term. But when you get to wander on the site, you can truly feel how ancient and rich the landscape is; it's like being transported back to another time, he says.
Peter Neubauer describes himself as someone who wants to use entrepreneurship to bring about positive change. He has a great interest in nature and biodiversity, and has been contemplating for some time how to best utilize economic resources to address the urgent challenges associated with the environment and climate.
- I wondered if it's possible to invest money in nature in a way that can inspire others to do the same, to have a cascading impact. My desire is to contribute to rapidly scaling up efforts to protect biodiversity. When I came into contact with Insamlingsstiftelsen Framtidens Natur & Kulturarv and their approach to addressing these issues, I immediately understood that we could collaborate on something that could create a ripple effect, describes Peter Neubauer.
Capital needed to buy land – and time
Insamlingsstiftelsen Framtidens Natur & Kulturarv mobilizes resources to protect and restore values of great importance for the biodiversity of animals, plants, and natural habitats. The foundation also cares for traces of ancient cultural heritage in the agricultural and forest landscapes, which are essential parts of the landscape. In concrete terms, the first step to secure such values in Sweden for the long term is either to acquire the valuable land or, in cases where it is not possible to purchase due to legal or other reasons, to enter into land lease agreements with the landowner for up to 49 years (with an option for extension).
"The case of Visne ängar demonstrates that individuals with resources can play a crucial role in the preservation of endangered natural environments, without being traditional philanthropists."
However, the time aspect poses a significant challenge when an interesting area has been identified, since the resources to purchase or enter into agreements are usually not available in advance but need to be gathered once the land is found. Accomplishing this during a bidding process, which typically lasts only a few weeks, is nearly impossible. And when it comes to land lease agreements, not all landowners have the patience to wait out a fundraising campaign that can last for several months or more. This is where investors like Peter Neubauer can make a significant difference. By directly stepping in and acting as a liquidity support for the foundation, an area like Visne ängar - Anningåkre can be secured from day one through acquisition, and the foundation is given a more reasonable timeframe to conduct a fundraising campaign. In this arrangement, the foundation also obtains a land lease agreement, allowing them to immediately begin management and habitat development to optimize the natural values and preserve the cultural heritage present on the site. Simultaneously, a dialogue takes place with relevant authorities.
Visne ängar - Anningåkre, a perfect first case
Purchasing a large piece of land in Gotland when one does not have any personal connection to the area, as is the case with Peter Neubauer, also comes with challenges, even if the financial means are available. However, in the case of Visne ängar - Anningåkre, an immediate dialogue was initiated with the County Administrative Board, where the intentions behind the acquisition were clearly communicated. The sole purpose here is to engage in nature conservation, resume the traditional management of habitats and protect the site and its significant values in the long term. Peter Neubauer's purchase should be seen as a way to "preserve" the area while waiting for a foundation to eventually take over ownership.
- I believe that the County Administrative Board in Gotland has understood our setup and our intentions. We want to make this work in other parts of Sweden as well, says Peter Neubauer. As an investor, the purchase is also a stable investment considering land prices. The money immediately makes a difference, and if the foundation manages to acquire the area from me at the same price, those funds can be freed up to preserve another valuable area that is up for sale. It shows that individuals with resources can play a crucial role in the preservation of endangered natural environments without being traditional philanthropists, he adds.
No shortcuts to the protection of biodiversity
Already during the summer of 2023, the foundation will begin the work of developing a management plan, or "nature plan," for the area. Previous surveys of Visne ängar and the surrounding landscape already indicate significant values in terms of biodiversity and cultural heritage. A more thorough inventory and documentation of flora and fauna will now take place. Peter Neubauer is looking forward to seeing the results of this process and the subsequent management efforts.
- Protecting this area in the long term feels a bit like creating a kind of seed bank or gene bank, similar to the one they have in Svalbard, but we're doing it on-site and with the full spectrum of species found on the ground, not just economically important crops. It's simply the most direct path to safeguarding species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity. There is no shortcut to saving biodiversity, he says.
Peter Neubauer describes how there is some hesitation among investors in the IT sector when it comes to placing money in projects related to the physical world, such as land and nature, as opposed to digital technology and IT startups. Many feel that they lack the knowledge to determine what would be a sensible investment. However, he hopes that the initiative with Visne ängar - Anningåkre can demonstrate that money can be invested securely AND make a significant difference when done in partnership with a reputable actor like Insamlingsstiftelsen Framtidens Natur & Kulturarv.
- Sure, "bits" are fun and information technology is exciting, but in the end, it's only the "atoms" and the planet we live on that truly matter, emphasizes Peter Neubauer.