Paul Schmidt

Paul joined the National Forest Foundation in October of 2023 as Senior Director of Conservation Programs. In 2026 he transitioned into the role of Associate Vice President focusing on supporting NFF’s work in the Pacific. In his role, he is supporting conservation, stewardship, and program development with the regional field programs in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and throughout California. He is also supporting NFF’s GIS staff which support a variety of initiatives and innovations in the geospatial intelligence realm.

Paul graduated with a degree in Natural Resources from the University of Minnesota and embarked on a career working with conservation nonprofits across the country. He has worked in tandem with the U.S. Forest Service as well as other land management partners at the federal, state, local and tribal levels to develop and implement priority projects through engaging young adults in the Corps model which has roots in the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s. Just prior to joining the NFF, he was in various leadership positions with Conservation Legacy including Chief Operating Officer and Western Region Executive Director.