Words
Words & Prespectives
I believe words matter.
Communicating clearly is part of the practice of forestry — not something separate from it. Much of my work involves helping people understand landscapes, decisions, and tradeoffs that unfold over long periods of time. Writing and conversation are tools in that work.
Over the years, I’ve written essays, books, technical guidance, scientific articles, and public commentary exploring forests, stewardship, and the human side of land management.
Many advisory conversations begin after someone encounters an idea that resonates.
Featured Writing
Woods Whys
Essays exploring forests, forestry, and the stories we tell about land.
Available through Bear Pond Books –>
More Than a Woodlot (co-author, Northern Woodlands)
A guide to understanding and stewarding family forests.
Silviculture with Birds in Mind (co-author, Audubon Vermont)
Practical forestry guidance integrating habitat considerations with active management.
Stewardship Guide for Vermont Forestland Owners (author, VNRC)
Sustainable forest stewardship guide for Vermont landowners.
Media & Conversations
When Trees Turn Bright Colors, He’s the Foliage Oracle
The Boston Globe, October 2020
A conversation about fall color, science, and public fascination with seasonal change.
An Ode to Trees, Forests and Foliage
Happy Vermont Podcast, September 2025
A discussion about forestry, public understanding, and the stories we tell about the land.
MeatEater Podcast — Episode 450: Apical Dominance
A wide-ranging conversation about forest ecology, management, and the cultural dimensions of conservation.