Mejia Honored by Society for Range Management with Outstanding Achievement Award

MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA – Maria Florentina “Masi” Mejia received the Outstanding Achievement in Commitment to Community Engagement at the Society for Range Management’s 79th Annual Meeting in Monterey, California last month. The Award recognizes individuals who actively promote and enhance diversity and inclusion in the rangeland profession and across communities. 

Mejia is a leader in natural resource education whose work has transformed access to rangeland learning opportunities for thousands of students across South Texas. As Manager of Education Programs for East Foundation, Mejia designs and leads innovative, place-based programs that connect youth to land stewardship, conservation, and the future of working landscapes.  

One of her signature initiatives, the Land Stewardship Ambassadors program, partners with the Witte Museum to empower high school students to explore ecological systems while building leadership and communication skills. Since 2019, the program has served more than 220 students, primarily from underserved, predominantly Hispanic communities near East Foundation ranches, and provides stipends to reduce barriers to participation. Mejia remains personally engaged with graduates, maintaining contact with more than three-quarters of program alumni.  

Mejia also leads On the Land: Behind the Gates, one of the largest K–12 rangeland education programs in the country, reaching approximately 1,500 students annually and more than 32,000 to date. Her programming has demonstrated measurable improvements in science learning outcomes and provides hands-on exposure to ranching, wildlife, watersheds, and invasive species management. She further extends her impact through classroom-based programs that have reached over 132,000 students since 2016.  

Rooted in research, outreach, and deep community connection, Mejia exemplifies inclusive engagement and mentorship. Her sustained commitment is building pathways into natural resource careers and ensuring that diverse voices are part of the future of rangeland stewardship. 

For the tremendous contributions to the science and management of rangeland ecosystems she has made, it is with great honor the Society of Range Management recognized Masi Mejia with the Outstanding Achievement in Commitment to Community Engagement.