Nine professional members of the Guild are elected by their peers to serve three-year terms on the Membership and Policy Council (MPC). The MPC supervises the development of Guild policy and position statements and the modification of our Mission and Principles. The MPC also addresses issues related to membership and member services. The MPC holds monthly conference calls and is comprised of committees responsible for work on current projects. Elections are held for a portion of the MPC positions each autumn.

Term through 12/31/26

Jericho, VT

Term through 12/31/26

Wanakena, NY

Term through 12/31/26

Marquette, MI

Term through 12/31/26

Marquette, MI

Term through 12/31/27

Santa Fe, NM

Term through 12/31/28

Gainesville, FL

Term through 12/31/28

Santa Fe, NM

Term through 12/31/26

Ashland, OR

Term through 12/31/27

Thetford, VT

Current MPC members

Richard Donovan

Jericho, Vermont
802-236-0634
pelicanzell@gmail.com


Jeffrey Dubis

Wanakena, New York
jjdubis@esf.edu


Sara Kelso

Marquette, Michigan
sara.kelso@macd.org


Alexandra (Ali) Kosiba

Bolton, Vermont
802-656-7631
alexandra.kosiba@uvm.edu


Lara Miller

Santa Fe, NM

conservationinsight@gmail.com 

Stephen Montgomery

Gainesville, Florida
352-494-5703
forestermonty@gmail.com


Kristen Pelz

Santa Fe, New Mexico
303-859-0892
kapelz@gmail.com


Jack Singer

Ashland, Oregon
518-618-8016
jsinger@pacificforest.org


Jeffrey Smith

Thetford, VT
802-785-2615

bhollowforestry@gmail.com


Meet your MPC members

AliKosiba

Ali Kosiba - Bolton, VT

"Forests provide us so much. I appreciate that the Guild’s six guiding principles reflect a deep recognition of the interconnectedness between forests and human well-being, integrating science, inquiry, ecology, and management."

Kristen Pelz - Santa Fe, NM

"We are in a time of unbelievable societal and planetary change. Though it is unsettling, I continue to believe it also presents opportunities to work together in new ways on forest stewardship and move past old divisions that no longer serve anyone, toward a more livable future for all."

Stephen Montgomery - Gainesville, FL

“Being a member of the Forest Stewards Guild gives me the opportunity to be part of a community of professionals who are committed to the responsible stewardship of our forest resources. As a member of the MPC, I hope that my contributions will serve to strengthen this community and further the Guild’s mission.”

Lara Miller - Santa Fe, NM

"Resilient forests don’t just happen because of good data and science, they depend on people who are committed to caring for them. I’m honored to work with the Forest Stewards Guild, whose mission reflects that same commitment to good stewardship."

Jeffrey Smith - Thetford, VT

“The Forest Stewards Guild has supported me in many ways and has been integral to my development and thinking as a forester/land manager. I will always support the Guild however I can.”

Jeffrey Dubis - Wanakena, New York.

“I appreciate the Guild’s viewpoint that the forests have values that benefit society and that are also independent of society. The Guild’s emphasis on responsible, ecologically based forest management and commitment to education make it a valuable resource for individuals of all interests and backgrounds. The principles of the Guild, the many educational opportunities it offers, and its focus on diversity and inclusion should be an attraction to many of today’s young professionals.”

Sara Kelso - Marquette, Michigan

"As the future of our forests becomes more and more uncertain, the Guild embodies so much of what I view as important in forestry: continuous learning, responsible forest management, stewardship ethic, the diversity of those who use forests, and putting the forest first.  I’m excited and honored to serve as a member of the Guild’s Membership and Policy Council as the Guild continues to positively influence our forests and our society."

Jack Singer - Ashland, OR

"Individuals and society alike depend on functioning forest ecosystems to survive, yet our forests continue to decline in terms of the aerial extent of forest cover, and the average age and size of dominant trees in our remaining forests. I believe that the Forest Stewards' Guild's Mission to normalize responsible forest management will help our forests, our society, and our profession to thrive for many generations to come, and I am honored to support the Guild with my service on the Membership and Policy Council."

Richard Zell Donovan - Jericho, VT

“For forestry in the USA, I believe it is critical that the Guild support the conservation of critical and rare forest attributes, species, and natural communities, while at the same time knowing we need to have the support of local communities for practical solutions. Humans are part of the ecosystem, and Guild efforts need to constantly reinforce how critical the relationship is between us and forests.”

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