America The Beautiful Foundation Names Johann Lockard Executive Vice President of Natural Assets
- Kelly Ann Collins
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
Experienced forester and wildfire resilience leader to drive investable natural asset strategies across reforestation, biomass, and carbon markets
Today, America The Beautiful Foundation announced the appointment of Johann Lockard as Executive Vice President of Natural Assets, which was effective June 6, 2026. Mr. Lockard brings more than 18 years of experience in forestry, restoration, and conservation to the role, where he will help lead the Foundation's work to restore America's forests, reduce wildfire risk, and develop scalable, investable approaches to land stewardship.
"Johann brings exactly the kind of on-the-ground expertise and vision our mission demands," said Dr. Emily Weeks, Founder and Executive Director of America The Beautiful Foundation. "His deep experience in forestry, wildfire resilience, and ecosystem restoration will strengthen our work to protect and renew the landscapes that sustain this country. We're thrilled to welcome him."
He joins America The Beautiful Foundation from ACRE, where he served as Executive Director. His career spans afforestation and reforestation, carbon-offset program development, and sustainable forest management, with hands-on expertise in species selection, nursery management, native vegetation propagation, fuels reduction, and large-scale forest restoration.
"The solutions are known, and the people are ready. All that remains is finding the courage to implement them at the scale this moment demands," Mr. Lockard said.
In his new role, he will lead the development of investable natural asset strategies across reforestation, biomass, and carbon markets; structure landscape-scale projects funded through carbon offsets, environmental credits, and philanthropic capital; oversee the implementation of wildfire resilience and forest restoration initiatives aligned with utility and agency priorities; and build partnerships with institutional investors, corporations, and public agencies to scale climate-aligned land management. Mr. Lockard holds a degree from Oregon State University and he is based in Medford, Oregon.