With the retirement last fall of PFPI’s esteemed US Policy Director, Laura Haight, we slightly redefined the role to reflect emerging issues and hired a new US Director of Science and Policy, David Mildrexler. David here shares his background and thoughts on what lies ahead for his work with PFPI.
“PFPI’s science-driven approach to address issues of critical importance to nature, climate, and communities is a great fit for me. I’m based in the west, so in my first few months on the job have learned more about the ecology and conservation issues facing eastern US forests and European forests, and about threats posed by bioenergy and BECCS.
In my early research career I worked to develop ecological applications for remote sensing data at large spatial scales, focusing on maximum land surface temperatures and forest disturbance detection. We identified the hottest place on Earth and investigated the important role of vegetation in influencing water and energy cycles. More recently, I’ve worked to address major policy issues related to large trees and climate mitigation and forest protection needs to address the climate and biodiversity crisis. At PFPI I will continue this research to address key scientific questions and policies, and utilize these datasets to protect ecosystems.
I also have experience working for NGOs to defend vital and underappreciated places, and working in partnerships with Tribes toward landscape, species, and cultural resilience. This work requires understanding what needs protecting, assessing the threats (such as impacts of logging proposals on high-value ecosystems and focal conservation landscapes), and working towards solutions. I look forward to working together with PFPI colleagues, fellow scientists, conservation partners, Tribal communities, and others to communicate and pursue just and science-based approaches to safeguarding the natural systems that support and sustain us all.”
