Samantha Nygaard is the Appalachian Program Manager at the National Parks Conservation Association, where she advocates for the protection and preservation of public lands across the heart of Appalachia of the Mid-Atlantic — including one of the nation’s newest national parks, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

Sam also serves as the Refuse Education and Clean-up Effort (RECE) Coordinator with the West Side Neighborhood Association, leading grassroots clean-up initiatives that build community pride and connection across Charleston’s West Side, one block at a time.

Since relocating to the Mountain State from Jacksonville, Florida, Sam has channeled her passion for community, conservation and storytelling through roles with the West Virginia Tourism Office and Generation West Virginia. She remains deeply involved in civic life, serving on the City of Charleston’s Green Team, volunteering with the Junior League of Charleston, and leading local bike tours with the community cycling club she founded, West Virginia Pedal Pals.

She has a B.S. in Psychology and a B.A. in Media/Communication Studies from Florida State University and lives in West Virginia’s capital city with her dog, Georgia.

My Favorite Parks