Joel Pannell

Vice President of Urban Forest Policy, American Forests

Joel Pannell oversees efforts to build and promote American Forests’ positions on a range of urban forest policy and related social equity issues. He works to build and maintain relationships with policymakers, senior government officials, partner organizations, key stakeholders, and other related entities to advance policies centered at the intersection of urban forestry and social equity.

Over the last decade+, Pannell has played a leading role in expanding equitable access to greenspace and urban forests helping to secure significant increases in funding for programs at USDA Forest Service, DOI National Park Service, and other federal agencies. Prior to joining American Forests, Joel led Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All campaign and directed urban policy for The Trust for Public Land where he helped launch the 10 Minute Walk campaign. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland and Virginia Commonwealth University’s Center for Leadership.