My name is Maria Angelino and as a Southwest Florida native, I have always wanted to be outdoors- fishing, kayaking, hiking. During my undergraduate career at Dartmouth College, I had the privilege of playing softball and studying Geography and Environmental Studies. I fell in love with learning how people interacted with the environment and understanding the socioeconomic and political context of managing natural resources.
My time as the River Restoration Intern at American Rivers cemented my wish to pursue a career in environmental advocacy where I can connect people to nature and to push for policies that support the conservation of natural lands. I am currently an MS Environmental Science student at FGCU and working on a project investigating Florida cattle ranchers’ experiences with voluntary incentive-based environmental programs aimed at informing future policymaking and identifying the challenges facing working lands to provide context for future conservation efforts. As a former athlete, I also learned the power of a diverse team—where individuals with unique strengths unite to achieve a goal bigger than themselves. This collaborative spirit is what excites me most about joining the YLC and working with fellow leaders toward the shared mission of protecting our National Parks.