"Guiding the development of forest and stream restoration projects in the temperate rainforests of Ellsworth Creek and the Olympic Coast, and the dry pine forests of the Central Cascades."

David is the Director of Forest Conservation and Management and co-leads the Lands Team for the Nature Conservancy in Washington. His team of stewards and foresters manage and work to restore almost 120,000 acres across the state. From coastal estuaries, islands, and rainforests to inland shrub steppe grasslands and dry forests, the team uses science, on-the-ground innovation, and adaptive management to take care of the places we manage and engage local communities and our partners in broader conservation solutions.

David began his career in stewardship for the Conservancy sunburned and soaked along remote beaches and deep in the native rainforests of the Hawaiian Islands. For over 20 years he has held multiple roles as a scientist and programs manager in Washington where he has been a leader in building large landscape conservation projects. A focus has been guiding the development of innovative forest and stream restoration projects in the temperate rainforests of Ellsworth Creek and the Olympic Coast, and the dry pine forests of the Central Cascades.

David received a master’s degree in Forest Resources from the University of Washington, and a bachelor’s in Biology from Colorado College.