Caitlyn Castleberry

yale university - school of the environment

Caitlyn is a Master of Forestry candidate at the Yale School of the Environment (YSE). Growing up among the working forests of the southeastern United States, she developed a deep appreciation for the balance between ecological integrity and the communities that rely on natural landscapes.  Before graduate school, Caitlyn contributed to policy and legislative efforts in Washington, D.C., as an intern for the House Committee on Natural Resources, where she supported the Subcommittee on Federal Lands. In this role, she helped research and communicate policies that shape the stewardship of public lands, thereby solidifying her interest in the intersection of forest management, governance, and community resilience. 

At YSE, Caitlyn focuses on integrating forest science and public policy to develop feasible, long-term conservation strategies at the federal level. Her research and coursework center on how management practices, funding structures, and partnerships can enhance the sustainability of working forests under changing climate and policy conditions. She is particularly interested in advancing strategies that balance ecological restoration with rural economic opportunity. 

Drawing from her background across both field and policy settings, Caitlyn aims to strengthen the bridge between on-the-ground conservation practitioners and decision-makers. Her work reflects a belief that durable conservation outcomes emerge when management decisions are informed by both science and different perspectives. Through her studies at YSE, she is building the analytical and leadership tools necessary to shape policies that support resilient landscapes and stewardship of natural resources.