Hannah Downey

Hannah Downey

Policy Director

Hannah Downey is the policy director at PERC, helping to bring free market solutions to environmental policy challenges. Her work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, The Hill, The Salt Lake Tribune, and local papers. After being introduced to PERC in college, she pursued the ideas of free market environmentalism and became a PERC research assistant. She graduated from Montana State University with degrees in economics and political science in 2015.

Though she grew up in the Midwest, Hannah was lucky enough to spend her summers in Montana and worked as a backpacking guide in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness throughout college. Hannah now calls Bozeman home and fills her spare moments coaching youth mountain biking, serving on the board of the local ski foundation, and enjoying the wonderful outdoors every way she can.

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Articles by Hannah Downey

Protecting Our Nation’s Most Cherished Forests Through Active Forest Management

Hannah Downey

The destruction of sequoias in recent years must serve as a wake-up call to the need to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires

Testimony Before the U.S. House on America’s Wildfire Crisis

Hannah Downey

If Congress can work with the Forest Service to make reforms that promote collaboration instead of conflict and increase partnership opportunities, forest managers can make true progress to fix America’s forests.

A Step Toward True Tribal Sovereignty

Hannah Downey

An unprecedented agreement grants five tribes authority to co-manage Bears Ears National Monument.

Healthy Forests Make Good Neighbors

Hannah Downey

Through Good Neighbor Authority, federal agencies are working with states and other western partners to mitigate wildfire risk.

Could a Burn Ban Threaten Bozeman’s Water Supply

Hannah Downey

Hannah Downey, PERC policy director, on Montana Talks radio program

The Irony of a Burn Ban

Hannah Downey

There is some risk to prescribed fires, but that risk must be compared to the risk of not conducting fuel treatments and having the forest burn completely.

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