10,000 Days in the Woods

Russ Richardson was born and raised in rural western Massachusetts. A lifelong interest in nature and a passion for the out-of-doors led him to a degree in forestry from the University of Montana in 1973. He enjoyed a career spanning the Golden Age of American forestry and spent his life working, living, and playing in the woods.He worked as a consulting forester, managing woodland for private property owners, for over forty-five years. As a foot soldier in the environmental movement from its inception, he provided a sustained and independent voice on developing forest health and forest management issues. He is a licensed real estate broker and acquired expertise appraising forestland while implementing innovative forest management techniques on properties he managed. He is a prolific writer and has contributed to numerous books, research projects, and scientific publications. In a desire to spend more time working in the woods, Russ relocated to West Virginia from New England in 1989, bringing only his acquired experience and forestry credentials. Dedicated to the advancement of the forestry profession and peer education, he shared his acquired knowledge throughout his career, even with competitors.In 2018 he was inducted into the West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame for his years of public outreach, landowner advocacy, and dedication to forest health.