Hi, I'm Meryl —

Rooted in public lands, and always headed for the trail.

Forest and public lands leader, founder of Friends of the Forest Service, and independent consultant on environmental and public lands policy — happiest with a map, a mountain, and my two kids somewhere in the frame.

My Story Work With Me

a little about me

Bringing people together for the future of our forests.

For more than two decades I've worked at the intersection of people, policy, and place — from the halls of USDA to the backcountry of the Southern Appalachians. I believe the best solutions come from collaboration, trust, and a genuine love of the land. Today I split my time between leading a nonprofit and helping partners tackle their toughest public lands challenges.

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Friends of the Forest Service

Founder & Executive Director of a nonprofit fostering collaboration, trust, and practical solutions that strengthen our forests, communities, and the U.S. Forest Service.

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Independent Consulting

Advising government, philanthropic, industry, and nonprofit partners on environmental and public lands policy, strategy, and collaborative problem-solving.

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A Career on Public Lands

Former Deputy Under Secretary at USDA and Executive Director of the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards — always with an eye toward stewardship that lasts.

Meryl smiling in a wildflower meadow with snow-capped peaks behind her

why it matters

The trail and the table.

I've spent my career moving between the two — the wild places worth protecting, and the conference rooms where their future gets decided. What I've learned is that they need each other. Good policy is grounded in real experience on the land, and healthy landscapes need people willing to do the patient work of building agreement.

Whether I'm advising a federal agency, a foundation, or a community coalition, my north star is the same: bring the right people together and find the practical path forward.

Read my full story

"When we work together, we can build the relationships, institutions, and capacity we need to share responsibility for the future of our forests — and the well-being of our communities for generations to come." — Meryl