Bonnie Joins Nicholas Institute as Executive in Residence

The Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University is pleased to welcome Robert Bonnie as an executive in residence following a two-year Rubenstein Fellowship at Duke. Bonnie specializes in issues related to climate change and natural resource conservation, with a focus on rural America.

"The Nicholas Institute is widely respected for its work seeking practical solutions to today's environmental challenges," Bonnie said. "I am delighted to join this fantastic team." 

Bonnie brings a wealth of expertise from nearly eight years of service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. From August 2013 to January 2017, he served as undersecretary for natural resources and environment, overseeing the U.S. Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service on a variety of natural resource issues. Prior to that, he advised Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on the environment and climate change.

Before joining the USDA, Bonnie was vice president for land conservation for the Environmental Defense Fund, where he focused on developing incentives to reward farmers, ranchers, and forest owners for stewardship activities on private lands. He graduated from Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment in 1994 with master’s degrees in forestry and environmental management.

"Robert brings both the expertise and the political savvy needed to work toward climate solutions on America’s working lands," said Tim Profeta, director of the Nicholas Institute. "His work already has paid dividends through his fellowship, and we look forward to amplifying his efforts in his new role."