Hi, I’m Grace Powell, a forester and researcher based in Taos, New Mexico.

I hold a Master of Natural Resources from Oregon State University and a Candidate Certified Forester designation through the Society of American Foresters. My work is grounded in the forests, soils, and watersheds of northern New Mexico, where I’ve focused on applied forest management, field-based data collection, and landscape-scale planning. My experience includes forest health assessments, treatment plan development, grant writing, soil characterization, and GIS analysis. I’ve marked and implemented thinning treatments, supervised field crews, secured restoration funding, and worked in coordination with landowners, agencies, and research partners across the region. My graduate research examined how thinning influences ponderosa pine growth under drought stress in northern New Mexico, with an emphasis on stand structure, competition, and climate sensitivity.

I started Refugia LLC to provide landowners with clear, technically sound guidance rooted in local conditions. My approach is straightforward: assess the site, identify limiting factors, and develop practical, defensible recommendations that align with landowner objectives and long-term forest resilience. Whether you’re developing a treatment plan, preparing for implementation, or trying to better understand your forest, I provide the field-based expertise needed to move from assessment to action.