Overview
Dr. Mei's program of research centers on forestland investment, nature-based climate solutions, and decision-making under uncertainty. His book, Forestland Investment - Valuation and Analysis, which was published by Routledge in July 2023, offers a thorough review and provides an in-depth analysis of timberland as an alternative asset class. Prior to joining Duke, Dr. Mei was Hargreaves Professor of Forest Finance at the University of Georgia. Dr. Mei's work has been funded by numerous agencies such as NASA, USDA NIFA, US Forest Service, and FAO of the United Nations. In addition to his research and teaching, Dr. Mei has more than 15 years of experience as a timberland investment consultant.
Dr. Mei is Director of the Natural Resources Finance Initiative, which was launched in 2019 to train professional master’s students in a broad array of financial skills critical to natural resource management and conservation today.
Dr. Mei is Director of the Natural Resources Finance Initiative, which was launched in 2019 to train professional master’s students in a broad array of financial skills critical to natural resource management and conservation today.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Professor of the Practice of Natural Resource Finance in the Division of Environmental Social Systems
·
2025 - Present
Environmental Social Systems,
Nicholas School of the Environment
Recent Publications
Timberland as a Biological Bond
Journal Article Journal of Alternative Investments · September 1, 2025 While timberland is an alternative asset class that has its own unique investment return drivers, we demonstrate that timberland is analogous to a fixed income in many ways. Like a bond, timberland can generate a stream of cash flows throughout its investm ... Full text CiteOn the carbon additionality of working forests
Journal Article Forestry Economics Review · July 3, 2025 PurposeUsing a 62,742-ha working forest in New Brunswick, Canada, we examine the benefit and cost of carbon additionality at the landscape level. Full text CiteOn the corporate performance of issuers of various green assets
Journal Article Finance Research Letters · May 1, 2025 This study examines the corporate performance of green and brown asset issuers in China and the driving forces for the asset premium of green bonds, asset-backed securities (ABSs) and real estate investment trusts (REITs). Using quarterly data from 2016 to ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
IUCRC Phase I Duke University: Center for Innovation in Risk-analysis for Climate Adaption and Decision-making (CIRCAD)
ResearchParticipating Faculty Member · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2025 - 2030Timber Losses and Income Tax Deductions
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by US Forest Service · 2025 - 2028Exploration of Increasing Participation of Underserved and Small Holder Landowners in Ecosystem Services Markets
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Croatan Institute · 2025 - 2027View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
University of Georgia ·
2010
Ph.D.