Old-growth is a scientific term, and as environmental professionals, we need to be advocates for science.  At the same time, the term “old-growth” conjures up emotions with most members of the public that shouldn’t be ignored—an notion reiterated in Gifford Pinchot’s 11 maxims.  While ensuring science remains out guiding light and honoring the public’s sentiments are not incompatible endeavors, navigating their simultaneous implementation takes care.

Speaker Biography

With a background in both forestry and natural resources policy-making, Bryan Petit represents large US landowners as a Vice President at the National Alliance of Forest Owners where he leads NAFO’s development and execution of policy, regulatory, and legal strategies.  Prior to coming to NAFO, Bryan spent 11 years overseeing the forestry and wildland fire portfolios in the U.S. Senate where he helped to craft the Great American Outdoors Act, developed the ecosystem restoration and wildland fire title of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and oversaw the agriculture and forestry title of the Inflation Reduction Act.  Before working in Congress, he served as a career staffer in the Office of the Secretary at USDA, advising policy officials on matters pertaining to natural resources and the environment.  Prior to coming to DC, Bryan earned an undergraduate degree in forestry in North Carolina and a Master of Forestry from Yale University and has worked as a field forester in various positions across 8 States.

Conserving Mature and Old-Growth Forests in a Changing Climate Speaker Series