2023 Lecture

Healthy forests are essential to having a healthy planet. But sustaining healthy forests in the face of climate change will require new ways of thinking and collaborating between scientists, policymakers, and the public. With unprecedented public and private investments in our forests to reduce wildfire risk and climate change mitigation, the need for opposing views on our forests must find alignment to make the most of this unique moment in our history. In his presentation, Terry Baker, CEO of the Society of American Foresters, shared insights and experiences from his long career focused on the dynamic intersections between people, policy, and climate when it comes to our nation’s forests and how they provide benefits to society.

Terry Baker is the CEO of the Society of American Foresters, the nation’s largest professional organization for foresters. Established in 1900, the Society’s mission is to advance sustainable management of forest resources through science, education, and technology, promoting professional excellence while ensuring the continued health, integrity, and use of forests to benefit society in perpetuity. Terry served in the U.S. Forest Service for twenty years before being appointed CEO of SAF in 2018. He holds a Master’s of Forestry from Yale University.