Alexandra Van Nostrand

Alexandra's work brings together environmental education, experiential learning, logistics and global fieldwork. Throughout her career, she has focused on creating opportunities for people to engage more deeply with the natural world and the communities connected to it. She views travel and firsthand experience as valuable tools for building awareness of the landscapes and environments that shape our planet.

Raised in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, Alexandra developed an early appreciation for the outdoors through the forests, lakes and waterfalls of the region. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Emory University, with a concentration in Global Health, Culture and Society. Her academic interests helped shape a multidisciplinary perspective on the connections between people, culture and the environment.

Following graduation, Alexandra co-founded and directed an outdoor education startup in Silicon Valley, where she spent six years developing and leading experiential learning programs. This work combined education, logistics and program management while creating opportunities for participants to learn through direct engagement with nature.

When not aboard expedition ships, Alexandra lives outside Ithaca, New York, in a collective of artisans and craftspeople known as the ARQbarn. She spends her time hiking, wildcrafting and supporting local mutual aid initiatives. Whether working in the field or at home, she remains interested in the ways people connect with landscapes, communities and the natural world.