As we wrap up another impactful year at the Wildlife Leadership Academy, we’re excited to reflect on the moments, milestones, and numbers that made 2025 unforgettable. From welcoming new students into our programs to celebrating meaningful outreach and a few fun surprises along the way, this year showcased the power of hands-on learning, community, and conservation leadership.
In 2025, the Academy engaged 113 new students through the Stepping Stones Program and our summer field schools. These students represented 41 Pennsylvania counties and six surrounding states, highlighting the growing reach of our programs beyond state lines. Franklin County led the way with nine students participating this year, while our longest commute belonged to a dedicated student who traveled all the way from Michigan to be part of the WLA experience.
Of course, no WLA program is complete without plenty of fuel – and snacks reigned supreme in 2025. Students, mentors, and staff collectively powered through an impressive 1,520 bags of chips, earning them the unofficial title of Favorite Program Snack. Whether enjoyed after a long day in the field or shoved into sweatshirt pockets before heading back to the cabin (yes, students—we saw that), chips were a fan favorite for all.
This year brought exciting new additions that enhanced both learning and community at WLA. The Apprentice Challenge, a new element of our revamped Apprentice Program, encouraged participants to expand on field school lessons while collaborating to solve daily team puzzles. We also hosted our first-ever Family Field Day, welcoming alumni, parents, and friends for a hands-on outdoor event that offered a behind-the-scenes look at the summer field school experience and created meaningful opportunities to connect as a broader WLA community.
The Class of 2024 truly raised the bar with their outreach efforts. Submitting their record books in March of 2025, students reported completing 1,148 outreach projects, engaging 7,536 citizens, and contributing an incredible 5,235 hours to conservation. We were amazed by their accomplishments, creativity, and dedication to giving back.
In 2025, education emerged as the most popular outreach category, with 322 projects ranging from trifold displays and presentations to in-depth research efforts – demonstrating the lasting impact students continue to make long after their field school experience.
None of this would be possible without the ongoing support of our dedicated community. Thank you to our students, families, mentors, alumni, partners, and supporters who help us fulfill our mission to engage and empower the next generation of conservation leaders. We are deeply grateful for your commitment and look forward to building on this momentum in the year ahead.
2025 Wildlife Leadership Academy Recap
Posted: December 27, 2025 by Katie Mace
As we wrap up another impactful year at the Wildlife Leadership Academy, we’re excited to reflect on the moments, milestones, and numbers that made 2025 unforgettable. From welcoming new students into our programs to celebrating meaningful outreach and a few fun surprises along the way, this year showcased the power of hands-on learning, community, and conservation leadership.
In 2025, the Academy engaged 113 new students through the Stepping Stones Program and our summer field schools. These students represented 41 Pennsylvania counties and six surrounding states, highlighting the growing reach of our programs beyond state lines. Franklin County led the way with nine students participating this year, while our longest commute belonged to a dedicated student who traveled all the way from Michigan to be part of the WLA experience.
Of course, no WLA program is complete without plenty of fuel – and snacks reigned supreme in 2025. Students, mentors, and staff collectively powered through an impressive 1,520 bags of chips, earning them the unofficial title of Favorite Program Snack. Whether enjoyed after a long day in the field or shoved into sweatshirt pockets before heading back to the cabin (yes, students—we saw that), chips were a fan favorite for all.
This year brought exciting new additions that enhanced both learning and community at WLA. The Apprentice Challenge, a new element of our revamped Apprentice Program, encouraged participants to expand on field school lessons while collaborating to solve daily team puzzles. We also hosted our first-ever Family Field Day, welcoming alumni, parents, and friends for a hands-on outdoor event that offered a behind-the-scenes look at the summer field school experience and created meaningful opportunities to connect as a broader WLA community.
The Class of 2024 truly raised the bar with their outreach efforts. Submitting their record books in March of 2025, students reported completing 1,148 outreach projects, engaging 7,536 citizens, and contributing an incredible 5,235 hours to conservation. We were amazed by their accomplishments, creativity, and dedication to giving back.
In 2025, education emerged as the most popular outreach category, with 322 projects ranging from trifold displays and presentations to in-depth research efforts – demonstrating the lasting impact students continue to make long after their field school experience.
None of this would be possible without the ongoing support of our dedicated community. Thank you to our students, families, mentors, alumni, partners, and supporters who help us fulfill our mission to engage and empower the next generation of conservation leaders. We are deeply grateful for your commitment and look forward to building on this momentum in the year ahead.
Category: Youth Blog Tags: conservation, featured