Ann M. Bartuska
Senior Advisor
Ann M. Bartuska is a senior advisor at RFF. In this capacity, Dr. Bartuska is focusing her efforts on natural resources and forestry, especially consideration of natural climate solutions through forests and agricultural lands. She also will be doing outreach in support of the valuation of information (VALUABLES) obtained through satellite imagery. Dr. Bartuska joined RFF in 2017 after serving as the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics as well as chief scientist. Prior to USDA, Dr. Bartuska held a host of leadership positions, including Deputy Chief for Research and Development of the US Forest Service. She currently is a member of the National Academy of Sciences’ Standing Committee on Science Communication and a member of the Board on Environmental Science and Toxicology. She was elected President of the Ecological Society of America for 2003 and was recently named an AAAS Fellow.
Education
- PhD in biogeochemistry and ecosystem ecology, West Virginia University, 1981
- MS in botany and ecology, Ohio University, 1977
- BS in biology, Wilkes College, 1975
Featured Content
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Webinar — Mar 26, 2025
Evaluating the Role of Wood Products as Carbon Offsets
A webinar featuring industry experts discussing the role of wood products in decreasing net emissions.
Report — Feb 7, 2025
Converting Forests to Solar Facilities: Causes, Potential, and Implications
This report provides a rapid assessment of potential conversions of forests to solar facilities.
Common Resources — Mar 12, 2024
Living with Wildfire: Adapting to the New Normal
A report from the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission confirms an increasingly acknowledged phenomenon: that intense, destructive wildfires are the new normal.
RFF Live — Jul 25, 2023
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Exploring the US Forest Service’s 2020 RPA Assessment
On Tuesday, July 25, RFF and the USDA Forest Service unpacked the findings from the 2020 RPA Assessment and discussed the implications of our changing forest resources.
Report — Feb 7, 2025
Converting Forests to Solar Facilities: Causes, Potential, and Implications
This report provides a rapid assessment of potential conversions of forests to solar facilities.
Testimony and Public Comments — Mar 8, 2022
Comments on the Development of a Conservation and Stewardship Atlas
Comments to the Department of the Interior on the development of a Conservation and Stewardship Atlas.
Explainer — Mar 8, 2021
Forest Carbon 201: Land Use Effects of Wood Product Markets
Forest Carbon 201: Land Use Effects of Wood Product Markets
Journal Article — Jun 19, 2020
Climate-driven Risks to the Climate Mitigation Potential of Forests
Climate-driven Risks to the Climate Mitigation Potential of Forests
Webinar — Mar 26, 2025
Evaluating the Role of Wood Products as Carbon Offsets
A webinar featuring industry experts discussing the role of wood products in decreasing net emissions.
RFF Live — Jul 25, 2023
Changing Climate, Changing Forests: Exploring the US Forest Service’s 2020 RPA Assessment
On Tuesday, July 25, RFF and the USDA Forest Service unpacked the findings from the 2020 RPA Assessment and discussed the implications of our changing forest resources.
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 — May 25, 2021
Paying for Carbon: Measuring Climate Solutions in Agriculture
Paying for Carbon: Measuring Climate Solutions in Agriculture
Common Resources — Mar 12, 2024
Living with Wildfire: Adapting to the New Normal
A report from the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission confirms an increasingly acknowledged phenomenon: that intense, destructive wildfires are the new normal.
Common Resources — Apr 4, 2022
Managed Fires Can Help Mitigate the Risks Posed by Increasing Frequency of Wildfires
As damages from wildfires mount, mitigation is becoming ever more important to stanch increases in wildfire activity. Given the scale of need for effective forest management, managed wildfires—employed with care and consideration—can be a viable option.
Common Resources — Jul 7, 2021
Empowering American Landowners with Carbon Credits
The Growing Climate Solutions Act—passed in the Senate and currently awaiting action in the House—can help facilitate sustainable practices among landowners by providing the opportunity to buy and sell carbon credits.
Common Resources — Mar 24, 2021
The Forests All around Us: Making Green Infrastructure Available to Everyone
Building up the country’s green infrastructure can benefit people’s psychological and physical health, in addition to helping achieve decarbonization goals. Inequities in access to green spaces across the nation can be addressed with available tools.
Media Highlight — Oct 11, 2022
Inside Climate News: "The US Forest Service Planned to Increase Burning to Prevent Wildfires. Will a Pause on Prescribed Fire Instead Bring More Delays?"
Inside Climate News: "The US Forest Service Planned to Increase Burning to Prevent Wildfires. Will a Pause on Prescribed Fire Instead Bring More Delays?"
Media Highlight — Dec 6, 2021
Democrats Eye Massive Shift in War on Wildfires: Prevention
Senior Advisor Ann Bartuska is quoted a number of times, and RFF research cited, in a Los Angeles Times article about wildfire prevention funding in the Build Back Better bill.
Media Highlight — Oct 6, 2021
'Digital Farming' Aims to Cut Emissions, Toxic Runoff
'Digital Farming' Aims to Cut Emissions, Toxic Runoff
Media Highlight — Jan 13, 2021
Forests Can't Store Carbon If They're Overheated
Forests Can't Store Carbon If They're Overheated