Dr. Brett McLeod is the International Paper Endowed Chair of Forestry Economics at Paul Smith’s College, where he also serves as the Dean of Faculty. His work in natural resource economics has included US-AID sponsored agro-forestry and eco-tourism work in the Dominican Republic, economic development work in southeast Alaska, and a variety of working landscape initiatives in the Adirondack-North Country.
McLeod is also the author of two books, American Axe: The Tool that Shaped a Continent and The Woodland Homestead: How to Make Your Land More Productive and Live More Self-Sufficiently in the Woods, as well as a regular contributor to Northern Woodlands, Mother Earth News and The Journal of Northeast Agriculture.
As a professor, Dr. McLeod takes great pride in giving his students real-world, hands-on conservation experience that delves into the complexity of natural resource management. Focusing on the Adirondacks, McLeod and his students have developed a community forest in the town of Keene, NY, worked to protect sensitive ecosystems along Lake Champlain with the Nature Conservancy, and partnered with DEC to manage working forests that promote sustainable forestry and a vibrant rural economy.
When not teaching, writing, or farming, McLeod relaxes by fly-fishing, reading, and chopping wood.
Academic
- Ph.D., Antioch University, 2015
- M.S., Bard College, Bard Center for Environmental Policy, 2006
- B.S., Paul Smith’s College, 2003
- A.A.S., Paul Smith’s College 2001
Courses Taught
- NRS 420: Natural Resource Economics
- FOR 275: Maple Sap & Syrup Production
- FOR 270: Draft Horse Management
- FOR 210: Small Engine Repair