Springfield, IL

Southern Illinois University- Forestry

Bryce was born and raised in central Illinois. In high school, he began working for the National Park Service, which sparked his appreciation for protecting public resources. His love for hiking and camping grew even more after moving to southern Illinois to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale. At SIUC, Bryce studies Forestry, focusing on forest ecosystems, resource management, and conservation practices. In his free time, he enjoys working on cars, playing guitar, hiking, and camping. Bryce is excited to gain new experiences with the Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation and contribute to preserving our nation’s wilderness resources.

East Greenwich, RI

University of Rhode Island- Environmental Science

Jack grew up in the suburbs of Providence, Rhode Island and had worked on organic farms in southern New England and abroad for a number of years. Having worked with poultry and livestock season after season, Jack grew to appreciate the fields of biology and environmental science. He had spent the larger part of his childhood and early adulthood exploring the White and Green Mountains to the North while also enjoying the rich Narragansett Bay coast. Jack thinks that the wilderness is an irreplaceable piece of all who seek its beauty.

Bradenton, FL

University of Florida- Natural Resource Conservation

Jacquelyn grew up with a strong connection to nature, spending her childhood camping, hiking, and exploring the outdoors. Her passion for conservation led her to work with the Virginia Youth Conservation Corps, where she gained hands-on experience in trail maintenance and park infrastructure projects. Jacquelyn further honed her skills during backpacking trips with the University of Montana, combining outdoor adventure with research. Her time as a raft guide on the Ocoee River taught her valuable leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, while her training in fire ecology provided practical experience in high-stakes, physically demanding environments. These diverse experiences deepened her commitment to preserving natural spaces, which ultimately brought her to SBFC, where she will continue to grow and contribute to the protection of wilderness areas.

Gloucester, VA

Liberty University- Conservation & Environmental Biology

Josie grew up in Gloucester County, VA. She has always lived near woods, where she spent a lot of time as a child. Most summers were spent in Alabama or North Carolina, typically on family farms. These experiences are a big part of where her love of animals & the outdoors developed. She loves kayaking, camping, hiking, rock climbing, and traveling when she can. 

Josie is a Conservation and Environmental Biology student at Liberty University. She likes to hike recreationally, and has experience volunteering at a PVDR Donkey Rescue, Lynchburg Humane Society, the Virginia Institute for Marine Science, and more recently, Vic Thomas Hatchery. 

Josie is passionate about the wilderness because she believes it to be our most precious resource. 

Josie’s main drive for pursing this field is in ensuring the maintenance and preservation of our available natural resources and wildlife populations. Josie hopes to encourage a passion for the outdoors in others.

Albuquerque, NM

New Mexico State University- Fish & Wildlife Conservation Mgmt.

Joshua Mendoza is a Junior at NMSU pursuing his degree in Fish and Wildlife Conservation Management. Having been raised in New Mexico, Joshua has an ardent desire to be immersed in the pleasures of solitude, often seeking dark skies in search of the Milky Way. With a background as a hiker, and more recently as a research assistant, he relishes the opportunity work hard and learn about the natural world while doing so.

El Cajon, CA

Colorado State University- Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology

Kara Knight grew up in San Diego, California, but spent much of her childhood exploring Yosemite, where she fell in love with wildlife and the great outdoors. Her passion for wilderness conservation led her to Colorado in 2020 to attend Colorado State University, where she earned her B.S. in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology in 2023.  

Kara is excited to gain hands-on experience and continue developing her skills. She has a deep appreciation for wildlife research and habitat conservation. You can find her hiking, camping, or spending time with her cat Juni when she's not out in the field!

Tampa, FL

University of Florida- Environmental Science

Mary grew up in the city in Tampa, Florida, where her love for the outdoors was nurtured by backyard oaks and rocky runoff creeks. In college, she studied environmental sciences, and the distant mysticism of the natural world became tangible. Her work as a research tech sent her to conduct experiments deep in the mud of the marsh, under the Salish Sea, and across African savannas. She also joined her school’s backpacking club, which led her to climb mountains and explore the backcountry with new friends and strangers. She has come a long way from her backyard, and is very excited to experience wilderness in a new way on the trail crew!

East Aurora, NY

SUNY- Environmental Studies

Nick is from East Aurora, NY and found his love for nature in the Adirondack Mountains. At a young age he found a passion for the environment and climate change mitigation. When it came time for college, Nick attended SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry to study environmental studies. His passion for wilderness comes from a love for solitude as well as flora and fauna of all different kinds.

Berkley, MI

Michigan Technological University- Forestry & Wildlife Ecology

Raegan is entering her 3rd year as a Forestry and Wildlife Ecology dual major at Michigan Technological University. She has a deep love and appreciation for the natural world and views it as something to be honored and protected. She finds solace in unspoiled wilderness, where the absence of human influence fosters a deep connection to the land. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, bug hunting, hammocking, and reading. Passionate about environmental stewardship and conservation, Raegan is excited to apply her academic, personal, and professional experiences this summer with SBFC.

Spokane, WA

University of Idaho- Communication

Sam grew up in Southcentral Alaska, dip netting, hiking, and camping. Finishing high school and college in Idaho provided many more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, from cycling, skiing, and running in the high mountains of southern Idaho to trail work with the ICC in the north. Sam is always striving to spend more time reading and drawing.

Serenade Gorbett

Wallowa, OR

Serenade is from a small town in Eastern Oregon. Her early childhood was spent going on cattle drives and pack trips into the Eagle Cap Wilderness. For the last 8 years, she has been living off-grid with her family. These years spent living in the woods are the foundation of her devotion to the wilderness. Her favorite outdoor activity is trail rides with her dogs and miniature mule (Cocoapuff).  She also enjoys gardening and going on hiking trips with her brother. Serenade’s future plans are to pursue a career in natural resource management.

Sophia Evans

Missoula, MT

University of Montana - Journalism 

Sophia’s work in conservation began early in life, when she would volunteer with her dad on community trail builds. Growing up in Southern Illinois, the two were avid climbers, cyclists, and backpackers, leading Sophia to later move west to attend college and be closer to the mountains. After two years at the University of Northern Colorado, she left to pursue the seasonal work life in rural Montana and Utah. Now, Sophia attends the University of Montana School of Journalism, although education is her true passion. When she’s not chasing seasonal jobs, she is a preschool teacher at a Montessori school in Missoula, and has previously worked as a youth expedition leader with the Montana Conservation Corps. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, camping, hiking, climbing, and cycling.