People We Love :: Erica Wheeler

This Land is Your Land

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As a young adult, Erica Wheeler studied environmental science, but her career hit a turning point when she realized data alone couldn’t move people to care about conservation. An interest in labor union history drew her to folk music. “I loved that those union songs could cut right through and tell the truth.” Wheeler began writing songs about the human connection to place.

Wheeler now leads writing workshops that help people connect with the land. “The place could be the lilac bush in your grandmother’s backyard or a wilderness peak, but if people find that personal connection, they will want to act on behalf of places they care about.” She creates safe space for people to grieve places they have lost, and find inspiration to protect places they love.

Wheeler has partnered with the Trust for Public Land to produce a new CD, Good Summer Rain, that celebrates American landscapes.

Good Summer Rain Good Summer Rain To Deep Water www.ericawheeler.com

Noah Grant wrote this article as part of Purple America, the Fall 2008 issue of YES! Magazine. Noah, YES! Editorial Assistant, is an activist for LGBT rights.

YES! Magazine encourages you to make free use of this article by taking these easy steps. admin. (2008, July 30). People We Love :: Erica Wheeler. Retrieved February 11, 2012, from YES! Magazine Web site: http://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/purple-america/people-we-love-erica-wheeler. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License