At the Great Mountain Forest, Paul is working with the board, staff, and Friends of GMF to expand the number and diversity of research projects and enhance our educational and community service programs as integral parts of our sustainable forest management work. At the University of Massachusetts he teaches: Forest Futures (first year seminar), Forests & People (second year course with Honors Colloquium), Forest Resources Management (senior year capstone), Forest and Wetland Hydrology, and Land Use and Watershed Management (both graduate courses). His research and service work focuses on forest hydrology and watershed forest management in the eastern United States and the boreal forest region of Canada.
Paul and his wife Donna (an Alzheimer’s disease researcher with Bristol Myers-Squibb in Wallingford, CT) live in West Suffield, CT and have two grown children, Ellen and Michael. Paul's email address is pkbarten@nrc.umass.edu.
Joel (Jody) Bronson, a fourth generation land manager and forester, began working at Great Mountain Forest as a seasonal student forester in 1976 after attending Unity College's Forest Technician program. He transferred to Keene State College as an environmental science and geography major and continued his seasonal employment at GMF. In 1978, he began his forestry career under the guidance of then forest manager Darrell F. Russ and in 1990, became forest manager upon Darrell’s retirement. Jody oversees all phases of forestry operations including timber harvesting, wildlife habitat improvement, road building and maintenance, assisting researchers, and supervising student forestry interns, to name a few. Jody also manages the forest deer population through periodic census and oversees an annual deer hunting program. He is a member of The Society of American Foresters, Connecticut Forest and Park Association, a certified Tree Farm Inspector, a Connecticut licensed forester and a Massachusetts licensed forester. He is also a professional member of The Forest Guild. In 2002, he was the recipient of the Austin Cary Practicing Professional Award given by the New England Society of American Foresters. This award recognizes NESAF members who have shown exceptional achievement as practicing forest managers.
Jody and his wife Jean, GMF’s business manager, live in Falls Village, CT and have two daughters, Emily and Rachel. Jody's email: jody@greatmountainforest.org
Russell Russ, a 1987 graduate of SUNY ESF with a bachelor's degree in forest resources management, began his employment at Great Mountain Forest as a student forester working on the “summer crew”. After positions with the Connecticut Division of Forestry and in the landscape and building construction industries, he joined the staff of Great Mountain Forest in 2001. He holds the position of forester/weatherman and is responsible for recording and monitoring daily weather activities for GMF and the National Weather Service – a position formerly held by his father, forest manager Darrell Russ. Assisting forest researchers, helping with on-site seminars, mapping and boundary work and timber harvests are just a few of Russell’s daily duties. He is a Connecticut licensed forester and has been a continual member of the Society of American Foresters since 1987. He has been active working with the Exotic Conifer Cooperative and as a Cooperative Weather Observer with the National Weather Service.
Russell grew up in Norfolk and now he and his wife Kim live in Colebrook, CT with their two children, Taryn and Jack. Russell's email address is russell@greatmountainforest.org
Jean Bronson, GMF business manager and graduate of Northwestern Connecticut Community College, coordinates the GMF programs and serves as development director for the corporation. She is a familiar face to many of the groups that visit GMF from her delicious work in the Yale Forestry Camp kitchen.
When she is not working for Great Mountain Forest, Jean can be found at the Falls Village Town Hall where she is Tax Collector. You'll often see Jean on GMF's cross country ski trails. She is married to forest manager Jody Bronson and they have 2 daughters, Emily and Rachel. Jean's email address is jean@greatmountainforest.org.
