Ruth Anna Stolk is a conservation strategist, writer, and advocate with more than 35 years of experience advancing science, conservation, and community engagement. A Smithsonian Research Associate, she is currently authoring Citizens of the Trees—a book exploring American conservation history, supported by the Bell Research Grant from the Forest History Society at Duke University.
As Founding Executive Director of the Smithsonian Conservation Commons, Stolk led cross-disciplinary collaboration across 21 Smithsonian units and co-founded the Earth Optimism initiative, reaching over 400 million people during its 2020 Earth Day summit. She also co-founded Virginia Working Landscapes, fostering partnerships between scientists and rural landowners to promote sustainable land management.
Stolk holds a B.A. and M.A. in English Literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her leadership continues to bridge conservation science and public engagement, strengthening environmental resilience through education and storytelling.