Reflections from the Centennial Emerging Leaders’ Summit

Each year, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy hosts the Emerging Leaders’ Summit, which offers participants ages 18 to 30 trainings, workshops, and experiences with a focus on building conservation skills and community through the lens of the Appalachian Trail. For our centennial year, the ATC once again brought together young changemakers from across the country for three transformative days of connection, learning, and leadership development.

Group photo of ELS 2025 participants

After a century of managing the world’s longest hiking only footpath, we know the challenges that the Trail will face in the next century are formidable — from natural disasters to the spread of invasive species to increased visitor use and constant threats to the wild and scenic nature of the A.T. landscape from development. The ATC believes one of the best ways to protect the Appalachian Trail and ensure everyone can experience its transformative power for generations to come is to equip the next generation of conservationists with the skills, information, and inspiration they need to tackle these challenges.

Here, three ELS participants reflect on how their experience at our centennial Summit helped them find connection, learn from experts in conservation and trail management, and forge a path toward a career in conservation.

Finding Connection

by Angelique Redwood

Angelique Redwood from Pennsylvania shared the inspiration and sense of community that came from spending time with fellow ELS participants throughout the weekend. Building community in the conservation field helps to create an inner confidence that no one is alone in this work.

“Between hands-on nature courses, shared moments of laughter, family-style dinners, and a hike to remember, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy provided us all with a heightened sense of duty and destiny. Stepping carefully through rocky terrain, led by ATC staff and Ridgerunners, a group of budding environmentalists got to spend a sunny Saturday in October soaking in the natural life that makes our Earth so unique.

After hiking on the Appalachian Trail, I feel reborn. I finally feel as if I’ve almost grown out of my fears, no longer cowering in agony. Now, my intuition reminds me that there are at least 30 ATC Emerging Leaders (and plenty more) who are just like me.”

Angelique Redwood (center) smiles while conversing with a partner during an indoor learning activity.

Learning About Conservation

by Hudson Brock

The management and protection of the A.T. involves an intricate cooperative management structure between the ATC, state and federal agencies, Trail Maintaining Clubs, and other partners. Hudson Brock, from Georgia, described how the ELS provided an opportunity to deepen his understanding of this structure and how it works in practice to protect the A.T.

“I learned a ton about corridor management on the A.T. In the South, the Trail mainly runs through National Forest land, which means it’s not surrounded by as much private land as other sections. In the Mid-Atlantic, there are businesses and other properties lined up next to the A.T. corridor. We learned about what goes into monitoring the corridor for intrusions, how to blaze boundaries, and how to communicate with the A.T.’s neighbors.

Corridor monitoring is complex, but necessary to protect the A.T. and to preserve the environment surrounding the Trail. By the end of the Summit, I walked away knowing more about trail protection.”

Hudson Brock (right) poses with ELS participants all wearing matching HMBLE HSTLE Appalachian Trail t-shirts outside Kittatinny Hall.

Forging a Career Path

by Katie Frawley

Spending time connecting with others who are passionate about the outdoors and learning about trail management from experts can serve as a conservation career catalyst. Katie Frawley from Pennsylvania describes how her time at the ELS helped her take the first step on her career path.

“I learned so much at the Summit about the ATC and about the participants and staff who I connected with. ATC staff at the Summit gave us valuable career advice and encouraged us to network and make connections with each other. Without a doubt, the connections I made with people in different sectors of the conservation field from all over the country will be incredibly valuable to my future career path.

The Summit also inspired me to follow my passion and move towards pursuing a career path on the A.T. I had this spark of an idea before, but the Summit ignited the spark and cemented for me that this is how I want to make a difference with my life, and this is the community I want to be a part of. How I will get there has yet to be seen, but I know that the Summit was the first step, and that the knowledge I gained, the community I found, and the inspiration I tapped into at the Summit will lead me on the right path.”