Our people make us who we are.

Co-founder, Executive Director and Board Member

Anthony is a plant physiological ecologist specializing in the study of climate effects on tree and forest structure and function. Anthony has been climbing and working in coast redwood, giant sequoia, and other tall forest canopies around the world for more than 24 years. Based in South Lake Tahoe, California, Anthony loves to explore wild places and share the beauty and majesty of the natural world through film and photography.

Co-founder, Program Director and Board Member

Wendy Baxter is a forest canopy ecologist who has conducted research in some of the most pristine old-growth giant sequoia and coast redwood forests in California for more than a decade. She oversees Ancient Forest Society programs, collaborates on research and contributes to general operations. Based in South Lake Tahoe, CA, Wendy also makes short films to educate and inspire others to appreciate the beauty of our diverse and interconnected planet.

Program Associate

Taylor is a plant physiologist whose work focuses on understanding the responses of trees to environmental disturbances. In northern Arizona she investigated how Southwestern trees are able to alter hydraulic architecture in response to severe drought. She then followed her dream to study the largest trees in the world by working in the Sequoia National Forest with Hugh Safford’s lab at the University of California, Davis and the U.S. Forest Service. Within several groves of the Sequoia National Forest, she conducted studies to assess the effects of the 2020 Castle fire on giant sequoia monarchs and understand the mechanisms driving sequoia fire injury and mortality. Based in Tucson, AZ, Taylor continues her passion of working with giant sequoias at the University of Arizona.

Program Associate

Erin is a forester who strives to apply modern silvicultural techniques and forest operations technology to retain and restore old-growth characteristics across the Sierra Nevada. Using her expertise in prep forestry and mechanical thinning operations as a precursor to prescribed fire, she is excited to help develop a landscape-scale approach to our mission of studying and protecting old-growth forests. As an experienced climber, digital illustrator, and science communicator based in South Lake Tahoe, CA, she is happy to have found a home for all of her diverse interests and skill sets.

Development and Fundraising Lead

Kimberly Wright is a business development professional who focuses her work on nonprofit organizations. She joins Ancient Forest Society with over 15 years of fundraising experience and a passion for trees, specifically the sequoias. Working in the forest has brought her to her roots, committed to growing their organizational outreach, awareness, and audience to build on the participation and support for Ancient Forest Society. Based in Thousand Oaks, CA, Kimberly enjoys toggling back and forth between spending time at the beach and in the forest.

An Ancient Forest Society co-founder, Steen has been growing and cultivating trees and teaching about trees and their benefits to people and the planet for more than 30 years. As co-founder of The Jonsteen Company and founder of the non-profit organization Trees for Little People, Steen strives to make the world a better place, one tree at a time. Based in McKinleyville, CA, Steen works with individuals, schools, businesses, non-profits, and government to boost the knowledge and appreciation for trees, and especially, to increase tree planting around the world.

Meg is an author, explorer, scientist, arbornaut, and conservationist. A pioneer in the field of treetop science, she has devoted over three decades to exploring forest canopies. Her research on forest conservation takes her to many countries that have relatively little scientific infrastructure. Her work has appeared in National Geographic, Wired, Popular Science, and other leading outlets. Her current priorities include creating a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve in Malaysia’s rain forests and partnering with Coptic priests to save Ethiopia’s last forests.

Scott D. Baker is a Registered Consulting Arborist , a Board Certified Master Arborist under the International Society of Arboriculture Certification Program, and an instructor of the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. An Honorary Life Member of ISA, Scott has 50 years of experience working with people to help them understand and manage trees. He has studied with some of the world’s leading tree scientists and has broad knowledge of tree biology and anatomy.  He is respected as a speaker and educator in tree diagnostics, trees and construction, tree supported structures and urban forest issues.  Scott is an avid climber and adventurer. As the principal consulting arborist with Tree Solutions Inc. in Seattle, Washington, Scott provides a variety of specialty services and consulting to private, municipal, and corporate clients.

Allison G. Kidder is a physiological ecologist specializing in California’s diverse plant communities and has assisted in tree canopy research throughout the range of the iconic old growth coast redwoods on projects studying epiphyte water relations and canopy lichen communities. As a previous Director of UC Berkeley’s Point Reyes Field Station, Allison started up the field station’s operations and online presence. She has a keen interest in all aspects of natural history and a background in technical writing, teaching, and curriculum development. Allison has served as a Science Advisor on the Board of the Tomales Bay Watershed Council Foundation and currently serves as Managing Editor of Manzanita, the East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden’s quarterly publication. Allison Kidder assists with Ancient Forest Society’s communication and outreach.

Dan Dorosin has been a partner at Fenwick & West LLP since 2001, where he works with high-growth startup companies and their investors to help them grow new entrepreneurial ventures from formation to exit.  Dan advises on a broad range of corporate transactional matters, including financings, strategic partnerships and mergers and acquisitions, as well as corporate governance matters.  Dan is a frequent lecturer on startup company formation and financing matters at the Stanford Engineering School and the Stanford d. School and serves on the Stanford Technology Ventures Program Board of Advisors.  Dan is particularly focused on climate related matters, both in his startup practice and outside of the office. Growing out of that, Dan is actively involved in natural climate solutions and, in particular, the emerging voluntary markets for forest carbon credits.   Prior to joining Fenwick, Dan served in general counsel and corporate development roles at several venture financed companies. Dan began his career at a leading Silicon Valley law firm, where he was elected partner in 1993. Dan has a life-long passion for the outdoors. He regularly skis and hikes in the Sierras, is a two-time NOLS graduate and an avid cyclist.  Dan received his undergraduate degree in Economics from Stanford and his law degree from UCLA.  Dan and his wife Fern live in Palo Alto and have two grown children.

Nate Stephenson is a Scientist Emeritus with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Western Ecological Research Center, and is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  Stationed for more than four decades in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, his research has focused on old forests:  fire ecology, giant sequoia ecology, restoration of forests altered by prolonged fire exclusion, effects of ongoing climatic changes on forests, and adaptation to a rapidly changing environment.  He is author of the Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project chapter on the scientific basis for sequoia grove management.  Nate is somewhat fanatical about backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, which he has been doing for the past 60 years.  His favorite tree is the foxtail pine, with giant sequoia a close second. 

National Park liaison, Dr. Christy Brigham received her doctorate in Ecology from UC Davis in 2001. Dr. Brigham has worked for the National Park Service in different parks in California as a scientist and manager for the past nineteen years. Dr. Brigham is currently the Chief of Resources Management and Science for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in the southern Sierra Nevada where she oversees forest management, wildlife management, cultural resources protection, and climate change adaptation and response for the park's many ecosystems.