Em Meier

Em Meier grew up in Wisconsin, in a place where rural, agrarian landscapes meet the edges of one of the state’s major urban centers. This in-between geography shaped her early appreciation for both working lands and the communities they sustain. Em’s curiosity about The Land Institute’s work drew her in, but it was her belief in the power of place-based meaning that made the work feel personally inspiring. Her own experiences in conservation, learning, and community had long circled the same question: how do people build genuine connection to the places they live? As communications and outreach director for the Rural Schools Collaborative, Em championed place-based education and the idea that rural communities thrive when learning is rooted in local land, history, and people. Her career has woven together conservation, education, and storytelling in service of stronger, more connected communities. Em served as an Ecosphere Studies intern at The Land Institute, where she immersed herself in fieldwork and conducted an introspective study of the Land Institute and its history. She now leads brand, marketing, and storytelling at the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), a nonprofit helping kids connect with nature and build inclusive communities through mountain biking.

My most perennial trait is Community – From rural schools to bike teams, Em believes the best things grow when people show up for each other.

Learn more about Em Meier on her website.

2018 Ecosphere Studies Intern at The Land Institute