Scholars for Conservation Leadership Program

I aspire to a career in policy relating to natural resources and conservation. I also love bike rides, playing board games and learning how to cook! My family, culture and community are at the forefront of my career and interests, which inspired me to apply to this program. I’m excited to learn so much and build a supportive community through this program.

Ashley Laveriano graduated in 2024 with a degree in Environmental Studies and Climate Change Science from Dartmouth College. Her interests lie in agroecology, remote sensing of the environment, and nature-based solutions. The most engaging aspect of conservation for her is amplifying innovation rooted in diverse, cultural knowledge to create equitable and resilient spaces. She credits her home state of New Jersey for inspiring her to think critically about environmental stewardship and interconnection.

I have aspirations to become a state conservationist with the USDA NRCS and eventually work my way into environmental consultation with landowners and developers. Given that we have a dwindling abundance of wild spaces, biodiversity and natural protection against climate change, I feel our generation must mitigate our past mistakes. The opportunity to network with other people with my career focus, which is rare, provides reassurance and a chance to gain insight into my future.

Finding a career in land conservation was a journey guided by many internships and experiences. Growing up and hiking in the Appalachian mountains, I knew this is the path I wanted but I was unsure of where to start. I began working in horticulture, doing ecological surveys, and advocating for native plants throughout college experiences. It wasn’t until joining TLC as a junior that I learned what a land trust is. I am now deeply motivated to continue learning about land legislation and conservation after graduating. Whether using GIS, lobbying, field work or writing, I want to work within this field, protecting the rich biodiversity and natural resources that allows us to survive.

Through taking environmental justice classes and being an active participant in SEEDS club, I became interested in the field of land conservation. I was given opportunities to visit, explore and learn about areas such as the Adirondacks and Mohonk Preserve. Seeing it in person heightened the importance of why land needs to be preserved and protected. The part that interests me the most is community engagement and how a lot more can be done to get people involved in policy-making decisions and increase their access to green spaces, especially in urban areas. Though I do not have set career goals, I look forward to networking, meeting other professionals and students in the field, and listening to their experiences. In my free time, I like to get creative making journal spreads and exploring my city with friends and family.

A senior at North Carolina A&T State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Environmental Science, I am passionate about applying an interdisciplinary skillset to environmental research, sustainable agriculture practices and conservation roles. My professional goals are to leverage computer science, statistics, ecology, soil science, plant pathology, genetics, botany and sustainability principles. I am particularly intrigued by opportunities to utilize data analysis, modeling and technology to address challenges like climate change, food security and preservation. Networking with professionals and peers who share these interests inspired me to apply to this program, where I hope to develop quantitative and technical abilities further to make impactful contributions.

I was fortunate to grow up on my native land in Marin County, California, home to my Coast Miwok tribe. I currently reside as a visitor on Chumash land, attending University of California Santa Barbara where I major in Environmental Studies and minor in American Indian and Indigenous Studies. I hope to help reshape our current climate to a stable state, in balance with us humans, through carbon cycling research that integrates Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into our Western science system. I hope that blending our Indigenous knowledge of tending to the land with our modern technologies will be what leads our conservation efforts in the future, and I want to help make that possible through programs like this that help amplify our underrepresented voices.

I am a senior undergraduate at Oklahoma State University double majoring in Geology and Geospatial Information Science. Upon graduation, I plan on continuing my education in graduate school to obtain my doctorate degree. I am passionate about research and want to continue research as a career at a company or government agency or by going into academia. I am interested in this program because a lot of the research I have done has focused on water quality and the impact anthropogenic activities has on water quality. I would like to continue to work in an area that focuses on water issues on Tribal lands.

Mary Visger (she/her/hers) is a senior majoring in Wildlife Resources at the University of Idaho. Her professional goals include advocating for the protection of endangered species and bridging the divide between scientific communications and the public’s perceptions through creative writing. She is specifically fascinated by animal behaviors. Being a member of multiple programs that valued inclusivity and witnessing their motivational impacts, Mary was inspired to apply to the scholars for conservation program to continue the mission of shaping the field of natural resources to be welcoming to all. In her free time, Mary can be found reading, writing, hiking, fishing and exploring the outdoors with her friends, family and two dogs.

I am a recent graduate of the University of Florida, currently working with the North Florida Land Trust. In my free time, I enjoy reading and spending time in the outdoors. To me, conservation offers an effective avenue to protect and benefit communities as well as our environments.