William H. Brantley, Jr., R.F.
Assistant State Forester, Alabama
William H. Brantley, Jr. officially assumed the responsibilities of Assistant State Forester of Alabama in September 2020. With more than 25 years of experience in natural resources management, he possesses a strong understanding of the issues and programs involving Alabama’s forests, lands, and waters. A registered forester in the state of Alabama, Will holds a bachelor’s degree from Furman University and a Master of Science in Forest Resources from Clemson University.
Brantley began his career with the Alabama Forestry Commission in November of 2017, serving as Director of the Forest Management Division. In this capacity, he oversaw the implementation of various program areas including Forest Stewardship, Forest Legacy, Landowner Assistance, Urban and Community Forestry, State Lands, Forest Inventory & Analysis and Economic Development, Threatened & Endangered Species, and Best Management Practices for Water Quality. Will also coordinated the recent update of the State’s Forest Action Plan, developed and received grant funding for a new agency program to enhance coastal forested watersheds and protect water quality, and pursued new agency revenue sources through multiple interagency agreements that help fund agency operations.
Before joining the AFC, Brantley was employed with the State Lands Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources for 16 years where he served in several capacities, including State Lands Assistant Director. His responsibilities with the State Lands Division included managing forested trust lands and implementing various statewide programs including the Land Sales & Leasing Act, the Natural Resource Damage Assessment program, and the Coastal Impact Assistance Program.
Previously, Brantley was natural resource planner for the Baldwin County Commission where he advised the County Commission on conservation and natural resource planning programs for wetland identification, coastal restoration, and stormwater management. Prior to that, he worked as a utility inventory arborist with Davey Resource Group in northern California.
A native of Greenville, South Carolina, Will and his wife, Eve, now reside in Auburn. They have two children, Chloe and Hank.