His research is focused on disturbance, conservation, and restoration of forest ecosystems, with an emphasis on coast redwood forests. He has also done extensive work on ecological disturbance in the Sierra Nevada mixed conifer and sub-alpine forests. He supports graduate student research including the effects of timber harvest of redwood forests, fire ecology, and environmental education. Dr. Russell also spent two years with the USDA Forest Service, four years with the USGS Biological Resources Division, and one years with the California State Parks.