News

Meet Bark’s new Executive Director, Will Fett!

After a thorough search and interview process involving Bark’s Staff and Board, we are thrilled to introduce the Bark community to our new Executive Director, Will Fett!

Will joins Bark at a critical moment for Mt. Hood National Forest and public lands more broadly, bringing deep experience in land stewardship, nonprofit leadership, and relationship-building along with a genuine love for the forests, waters, and wildlife we’re fighting to protect.

Prior to joining Bark, Will served as Outreach Coordinator and Tribal Liaison with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, where he worked closely with Tribes across Oregon, coordinated government-to-government consultations on large-scale watershed projects, and connected historically underserved farmers and ranchers with conservation resources. He holds a Certificate in Tribal Relations from Portland State University and brings a strong commitment to respectful collaboration, listening, and accountability.

Will also brings years of experience leading mission-driven organizations, growing programs, and building sustainable funding—skills that will be essential as Bark continues to defend Mt. Hood National Forest and advocate for forests and communities in an increasingly challenging political climate.

Please join us in welcoming Will!

Here’s what Will shared about his background and what he’s looking forward to as he steps into this role:

“I am so excited to join the Bark community and to step into a leadership role to help protect and restore Mt. Hood National Forest. I am a big believer in natural systems and in the idea that we as humans have a place in those systems and a responsibility to help restore them so that we, and future generations, can enjoy these lands and ecosystems.

I am originally from Montana where I grew up hiking, skiing and foraging in the mountains. I earned my B.S. from Montana State University and went on to teach high school agriculture for four years before moving to Korea to teach English as a second language.

I returned to the U.S. to pursue an MS in agricultural economics from Purdue University and an MBA from Indiana University. While studying, I worked as a fundraiser for the National FFA Foundation in Indianapolis. I later moved to Iowa to take on the executive director role and run a non-profit leading Agriculture in the Classroom efforts that worked with students, teachers, and community members. I served as president of the National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization and hosted their annual conference.

My role with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service brought me to Oregon, where I was the outreach coordinator and Tribal liaison. I connected historically underserved producers with technical and financial assistance for conservation programs. I have worked with many of Oregon’s tribes and tribal members. Through my role with USDA, I helped coordinate communications and tribal consultations on large scale watershed projects throughout Oregon. I am passionate about public lands and helping others learn about natural systems.

In my free time, I enjoy international travel, hiking, cooking, reading, and spending time with my wife and daughter searching for agates on the coast, foraging mushrooms in the woods, and chasing waterfalls in the mountains. I am also a registered parliamentarian with the National Association of Parliamentarians and work with students and volunteers with National FFA Organization.

Small nonprofits and conservation work are my passions and I’m excited to return to this work at Bark!”