Billy Gridley: President, Aton Forest Inc., a dual-purpose natural area land trust and ecological field station in Norfolk, CT, founded by vegetation management and forest succession ecologist Dr. Frank Egler. An ex-finance pro, Billy received a Master’s in Environment Science & Policy from Columbia University, founded 2 climate start-ups (direct CO2 air capture, mobile energy solutions), worked at the climate NGO Ceres, and served on a variety non-profit boards including the Great Mountain Forest. As its Head Steward he now runs Aton Forest, which endeavors to “reimagine the ecological field station” in the 21st century for the benefit of natural and human communities. Aton is now acquiring the 1000-acre natural area Spaulding Pond Preserve to bring its forest holdings to 2500 acres.