How the Emerging Leaders’ Summit Launches Conservation Careers on the Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Emerging Leaders’ Summit (ELS) offers young adults the opportunity to expand stewardship and outdoor skills. During the annual Summit, participants ages 18-30 immerse themselves in the Appalachian Trail through engaging workshops, hands-on trainings, and outdoor experiences.

Hear from four alumni who share their ELS experience and how it has shaped their current role and conservation work.

Lincoln Oxford-Pickeral (ELS Alumni 2024)

Following the ELS summit, I am now an intern with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Green Lake National Fish Hatchery working with endangered Atlantic Salmon conservation. ELS was one of the main reasons I made the effort to get an internship in the first place. I had been told by many other people that jobs in conservation were very competitive and hard to find. I was worried that, with my current skill set, I would never be able to find even an entry-level position. But after hearing about all the different kinds of jobs that exist in this field and how many workers are needed at the Summit, I was encouraged to try. I was also able to get some resources that helped me to apply. I wouldn’t have even known where to start or had the courage to apply if it weren’t for the people I met at ELS.

Meagan Meyers (ELS Alumni 2023 & 2024)

Since participating in the Emerging Leaders’ Summit, I’ve stayed engaged with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy as a volunteer at its Headquarters in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. In my role, I help welcome and educate visitors, share Trail history, and support the Conservancy’s mission. The Summit deepened my appreciation for the Appalachian Trail’s ecological, cultural, and recreational significance. It also gave me hands-on experience in trail stewardship and conservation practices through workshops, trail maintenance, group hikes, and conversations with professionals in the field. It reaffirmed my commitment to volunteering and supporting the Trail through both stewardship and advocacy.

Outside of volunteering, I’m a full-time Humanities teacher and department head at an independent school where I’ve brought what I learned at ELS directly into my classroom. Since the summit, I’ve incorporated the history and cultural importance of the Appalachian Trail into my lesson planning. I encourage students to think of public lands not just as outdoor spaces, but as shared resources that require care and responsibility. Through teaching, I hope to inspire my students to appreciate and protect natural environments—and to see themselves as future advocates.

The Emerging Leaders’ Summit gave me the tools and confidence to stay involved in meaningful ways. It was a powerful experience that strengthened my commitment to conservation and public engagement, and I continue to carry those values into both my teaching and volunteer work. Being surrounded by people from different paths who shared a common passion at ELS made a lasting impression. It showed me that leadership and advocacy can take many forms—and that we each have a role to play in preserving the Appalachian Trail for generations to come.

Devon Lespier (ELS Alumni 2023/2024 & Next Gen)

Since attending my first Emerging Leaders Summit in 2023, I’ve continued building on the connections and momentum sparked that weekend. I returned to ELS in 2024 as an alumni, where I had the chance to share my experience working in environmental policy with the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C. and connect with the next group of passionate environmentalists and outdoor enthusiasts. Soon after, I joined the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Next Generation Advisory Council and participated in Hike the Hill, advocating for the Trail and its surrounding communities in meetings with members of Congress. These opportunities have deepened my commitment to conservation and strengthened my voice as a young leader in this space and beyond.

The Summit helped shape my understanding of leadership as collaborative, values-driven, and rooted in community. Through ELS, I gained not only the tools, network, and confidence to step into new roles, but also a deeper awareness of how to lead with intention. Plus, I made several wonderful, like-minded friends who’ve supported me along the way. Since then, I’ve worked to ensure that my efforts in environmental policy and advocacy consider not only the perspectives of those at the table, but also those who may not yet have a seat. Whether speaking on legislative issues, supporting the next wave of young conservationists, or representing ATC on Capitol Hill, I carry forward the lessons of ELS by looking for ways to expand access, elevate underrepresented voices, and help open doors for others just as ELS did for me.

Lindsey Oldt (ELS Alumni 2024 & Next Gen)

Since the Emerging Leaders’ Summit, I have been more confident taking on leadership roles in my local outdoor communities and have made both professional connections and friendships throughout the process. In addition to working full-time as a Legal Assistant at a civil litigation firm, I held a part-time role at a local climbing gym this past fall and winter. During my time there, I used the skills and knowledge I gained at the Emerging Leaders’ Summit to communicate with local climbers about conservation and the importance of respecting the land we use to both maintain ecosystems and preserve access for recreation. The optimistic and motivational tone set at the Emerging Leaders’ Summit informs how I approach conversations about recreation access and collaborative conservation efforts, and my peers respond positively to the opportunity to connect and learn about these impactful subjects.

Learn More About ELS

The ATC team is looking forward to welcoming the new cohort of Emerging Leaders’ Summit participants to the New Jersey School of Conservation this fall. Together, we can build a community of motivated youth who are eager to protect the Appalachian Trail and beyond!  

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