David N. Wear
Nonresident Senior Fellow; Director, Land Use, Forestry, and Agriculture Program
David Wear is a nonresident senior fellow and the director of the Land Use, Forestry, and Agriculture Program at RFF. Prior to his arrival at RFF, he spent more than 30 years with US Forest Service Research and Development, most recently as a senior research scientist and leader of national and regional resource assessments.
His work has been recognized with national awards from the US Secretary of Agriculture, Chief of the US Forest Service, and Society of American Foresters. Wear’s research focuses on linking economic choice and biophysical elements of natural resource systems to project resource conditions and illuminate policy options. He has written extensively on forest economics, forest carbon dynamics at broad scales, timber supply, the effects of risk on forest investments, and land use. He has led or participated in interdisciplinary initiatives to understand the influence of land use and forest management on a variety of ecosystem services, including biological diversity and water. As a federal scientist, he led or contributed to several national and regional natural resource assessments including the Southern Forest Resource Assessment, Southern Forest Futures Project, and National Climate Assessment.
Education
- PhD in Forest Management/Economics, University of Montana, 1987
- MF in Resource Systems Science, Duke University, 1983
- BA in Botany, University of Montana, 1981
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Journal Article — Dec 23, 2023
Distribution and Dynamics of Private Forests across the United States
This peer-reviewed paper details a new theoretical model that analyzes changing ownership patterns for US forests.
Resources Radio — Nov 28, 2023
Counting Carbon in US Forests, with David Wear
David Wear discusses the rate at which US forests can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, different approaches for estimating the amount of sequestered carbon, and the implications of varying estimates.
In Focus — Oct 19, 2023
In Focus: Carbon Dioxide Removal from US Forests
This video shares insights about the capability of US forests to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and how new technologies can help achieve US goals for carbon dioxide removal, with RFF Nonresident Senior Fellow David N. Wear.
Press Release — Oct 19, 2023
Old Forests Store More Carbon than Young Ones—and That Matters for US Climate Goals
A new paper shows that because mature forests store substantially more carbon than young forests, avoiding losses of existing forests provides more carbon storage benefits than adding new forests.
Journal Article — Dec 23, 2023
Distribution and Dynamics of Private Forests across the United States
This peer-reviewed paper details a new theoretical model that analyzes changing ownership patterns for US forests.
Working Paper — Oct 19, 2023
Land-Use Change, No-Net-Loss Policies, and Effects on Carbon Dioxide Removals
In this working paper, RFF researchers employ the CALM model to evaluate how alternative land-use changes affect projections for land-based carbon dioxide removal in the United States.
Report — Jun 21, 2023
Prospects for Land Sector Carbon Dioxide Removal in the United States
This RFF report explores policies to expand the level of carbon dioxide removals from the land sector.
Working Paper — Jun 12, 2023
The Economics of Forest Fuel Removals on Federal Lands
This working paper examines how to engage the private sector in forest fuel removal on federal lands to reduce wildfire hazard.
RFF Live — Sep 7, 2022
Sparking Solutions: The Fuels Management Challenge and Opportunity
Examining the role of fuels management in mitigating the impacts and intensity of wildfires
RFF Live — May 4, 2022
Working Forests: A Path to Climate Solutions
Exploring how working forests can contribute to achieving climate change goals as well as provide a sustainable supply of wood products
RFF Live — Feb 11, 2020
Forests and Climate Change Mitigation: The Role of Markets
Forests and Climate Change Mitigation: The Role of Markets
Resources Radio — Nov 28, 2023
Counting Carbon in US Forests, with David Wear
David Wear discusses the rate at which US forests can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, different approaches for estimating the amount of sequestered carbon, and the implications of varying estimates.
In Focus — Oct 19, 2023
In Focus: Carbon Dioxide Removal from US Forests
This video shares insights about the capability of US forests to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and how new technologies can help achieve US goals for carbon dioxide removal, with RFF Nonresident Senior Fellow David N. Wear.
Resources Radio — Aug 3, 2021
Managing Wildfires to Combat Climate Change, with David Wear
David Wear describes the environmental benefits of a recent proposal in Congress, which appropriates funds to wildfire management on federal lands.
Resources Magazine — May 20, 2021
Federal Climate Policy Toolkit: Land Use, Forestry, and Agriculture
A review of the federal policy options for increasing land-related carbon storage and reducing emissions from agricultural land uses and production activities.
Press Release — Oct 19, 2023
Old Forests Store More Carbon than Young Ones—and That Matters for US Climate Goals
A new paper shows that because mature forests store substantially more carbon than young forests, avoiding losses of existing forests provides more carbon storage benefits than adding new forests.
Press Release — Jun 21, 2023
Forests Will Sequester Less Carbon in the Coming Decades
Forests Will Sequester Less Carbon in the Coming Decades
Media Highlight — Aug 9, 2022
Reuters: "Small-Scale Forest Landowners Gain Foothold in the US Carbon Markets"
RFF Senior Fellow David Wear comments on the relationship between small-scale landowners and carbon markets.
Media Highlight — May 12, 2020
The One Trillion Trees Project and Increasing US Forest Cover
RFF Issue Brief by Dave Wear is cited extensively in BBN Times article on the One Trillion Trees Project.