Gregory Nelson

Gregory is the director of the National Center for Public Lands Counties, where he leads the center’s operations and oversees activities focused on advancing the policy and practice related to America's public lands counties. His work enhances the long-term research, capacity building and knowledge exchange between elected and appointed leaders from public lands counties, federal and state policymakers, key influencers and the public.

Gregory holds a doctorate in Science and Technology and Society from Virginia Tech. He has a rich background in county government, having spent seven years in Coconino County, Ariz., where he gained experience across multiple departments, working on federal land management issues, forest restoration, economic development initiatives in coal-impacted communities, land-use planning and policy around sensitive military facilities and disaster response and recovery. His knowledge of county government, particularly in navigating the complex relationship between local communities and public lands managers, informs his leadership at the National Center for Public Lands Counties to advance practical and impactful research for counties across the United States.