Brian Kittler leads American Forests’ Resilient Forests program, which crafts and implements policies and practice for resilient reforestation and forest climate solutions. He believes that resilient forests offer a path toward healthy and prosperous communities, clean and abundant water, biodiversity recovery, and a stabilizing climate.

Prior to joining American Forests in 2020, Brian advanced forest conservation programs and policy innovations through stints with the Pinchot Institute for Conservation and Sustainable Northwest. His prior work also included directing financial and technical assistance for watershed restoration programs at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Operating at the interface of science, policy, and land management, Brian served on the federal Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission, a consensus-based process for developing recommendations for Congress to act on the nation’s wildfire challenges.

Brian has also served on committees and in an advisory capacity for the State of Oregon related to forest carbon, the International Energy Agency, and the Forest Stewardship Council. He has published in peer reviewed journals on a range of topics, including reforestation capacity in the U.S., forest carbon management, sustainability claims, certifications in forest product markets, and collaborative governance models and policies for federal public lands. His work has been featured in pieces by The Washington Post, NY Times, ABC News, CBS News, and other outlets. Brian holds degrees from Colby College and The Johns Hopkins University in policy and science.