Josiah came back to field school again… and again… and again.
From participant to mentor, to apprentice, to summer staff, Josiah’s journey with the Wildlife Leadership Academy is one of growth, deepening commitment, and a clear desire to give back to the program that helped shape his path.
Josiah sporting his Pay It Forward gear at field school.
Josiah first joined the Academy in 2022 as a participant at the PA Ursids field school. At just 15 years old, he arrived from Philadelphia with a lifelong interest in animals and an eagerness to learn. That summer proved to be transformative. Through hands-on field experiences, engaging lectures from conservation professionals, and immersive activities, Josiah began to see himself not just as a student, but as a Conservation Ambassador.
In a thank-you letter written after his first field school, Josiah reflected on how impactful the experience was for him. He shared that field school helped him grow exponentially and solidified his desire to pursue a long-term future with the Academy. He also expressed a strong commitment to outreach, planning to share what he learned with the Environmental Justice Club he leads at school and to support WLA’s Pay It Forward fundraiser.
Josiah observing nature at field school.
As an outreach project, Josiah started a recycling program at his school.
That commitment carried forward. After completing outreach in his community, Josiah returned in 2023 as a Youth Mentor. In this role, he supported new students experiencing field school for the first time, offering guidance, encouragement, and a firsthand perspective. Mentoring allowed him to strengthen his leadership skills while giving back to a program that had already made a meaningful difference in his life.
In 2024, Josiah took the next step as an Apprentice with the Academy. This experience gave him a behind-the-scenes look at how field schools operate, while still allowing him to connect with students and learn from field school activities. The summer included unforgettable experiences, from educational adventures to hands-on wildlife work, and held special meaning as his final field school before graduating high school.
Josiah’s journey continued into the summer of 2025, when he returned as an Academy Support Team member, serving on summer staff and supporting field schools from an operational and mentorship perspective. By this point, his role had come full circle, from student, to mentor, to apprentice, to staff, demonstrating the long-term impact of investing in young leaders.
Alongside his progression through field school roles, Josiah has been an active participant in Pay It Forward since 2022. Each year, he has fundraised to help make Academy programs accessible to future students, sharing openly about how scholarship support made it possible for him to participate year after year. For Josiah and his family, scholarships weren’t just helpful; they were essential. That support opened the door for him to attend field school, return in leadership roles, and continue growing within the program.
When asked to reflect on his experience with the Academy, Josiah speaks with gratitude and purpose. He credits the Wildlife Leadership Academy with helping him discover new interests, build confidence, and develop leadership skills that extend far beyond the field. Just as importantly, he remains committed to giving back, whether through fundraising, mentoring, or supporting future students as they begin their own journeys.
Josiah’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when students are given opportunity, mentorship, and support; and how those students, in turn, become advocates for the next generation. As the 20K in 20 Days campaign comes to a close, show your support by making a gift to the 20th Anniversary Scholarship Fund. Every gift makes stories like Josiah’s possible, opening doors for future Conservation Ambassadors to learn, lead, and give back. Click here to support student scholarships.
20K in 20 Days: Josiah’s Journey of Growth and Giving Back
Posted: January 31, 2026 by Katie Mace
Josiah came back to field school again… and again… and again.
From participant to mentor, to apprentice, to summer staff, Josiah’s journey with the Wildlife Leadership Academy is one of growth, deepening commitment, and a clear desire to give back to the program that helped shape his path.
Josiah first joined the Academy in 2022 as a participant at the PA Ursids field school. At just 15 years old, he arrived from Philadelphia with a lifelong interest in animals and an eagerness to learn. That summer proved to be transformative. Through hands-on field experiences, engaging lectures from conservation professionals, and immersive activities, Josiah began to see himself not just as a student, but as a Conservation Ambassador.
In a thank-you letter written after his first field school, Josiah reflected on how impactful the experience was for him. He shared that field school helped him grow exponentially and solidified his desire to pursue a long-term future with the Academy. He also expressed a strong commitment to outreach, planning to share what he learned with the Environmental Justice Club he leads at school and to support WLA’s Pay It Forward fundraiser.
That commitment carried forward. After completing outreach in his community, Josiah returned in 2023 as a Youth Mentor. In this role, he supported new students experiencing field school for the first time, offering guidance, encouragement, and a firsthand perspective. Mentoring allowed him to strengthen his leadership skills while giving back to a program that had already made a meaningful difference in his life.
In 2024, Josiah took the next step as an Apprentice with the Academy. This experience gave him a behind-the-scenes look at how field schools operate, while still allowing him to connect with students and learn from field school activities. The summer included unforgettable experiences, from educational adventures to hands-on wildlife work, and held special meaning as his final field school before graduating high school.
Josiah’s journey continued into the summer of 2025, when he returned as an Academy Support Team member, serving on summer staff and supporting field schools from an operational and mentorship perspective. By this point, his role had come full circle, from student, to mentor, to apprentice, to staff, demonstrating the long-term impact of investing in young leaders.
Alongside his progression through field school roles, Josiah has been an active participant in Pay It Forward since 2022. Each year, he has fundraised to help make Academy programs accessible to future students, sharing openly about how scholarship support made it possible for him to participate year after year. For Josiah and his family, scholarships weren’t just helpful; they were essential. That support opened the door for him to attend field school, return in leadership roles, and continue growing within the program.
When asked to reflect on his experience with the Academy, Josiah speaks with gratitude and purpose. He credits the Wildlife Leadership Academy with helping him discover new interests, build confidence, and develop leadership skills that extend far beyond the field. Just as importantly, he remains committed to giving back, whether through fundraising, mentoring, or supporting future students as they begin their own journeys.
Josiah’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when students are given opportunity, mentorship, and support; and how those students, in turn, become advocates for the next generation. As the 20K in 20 Days campaign comes to a close, show your support by making a gift to the 20th Anniversary Scholarship Fund. Every gift makes stories like Josiah’s possible, opening doors for future Conservation Ambassadors to learn, lead, and give back. Click here to support student scholarships.
Category: Youth Blog Tags: featured