In 2007, the Wildlife Leadership Academy welcomed its very first group of young conservationists to Raystown Field Station in Huntingdon County. Twenty years later, that seed of an idea has grown into a statewide network of students, alumni, mentors, and partners who are shaping the future of conservation in Pennsylvania and beyond. As we begin our 20th anniversary year, we’re reflecting on just how far this community has come -and looking ahead to an exciting year of growth, celebration, and continued impact.
Students and volunteers from the second PA Bucktails class in 2008.
Across two decades, more than 1,200 students have stepped into the woods and streams with us, learning side-by-side with professionals, building leadership skills, and discovering their own ability to make a difference. Their work has created thousands of outreach projects and educational moments that ripple outward into communities in Pennsylvania and beyond. Through education, service, media engagement, creative arts, and outdoor mentorship projects, our students bring conservation to life. Since 2007, academy graduates have engaged over 200,000 citizens through their community outreach projects.
Mary taught other how to identify trees as an education outreach project.
Jonathan organized a roadside cleanup as a service project.
This year, we are excited to showcase that impact more clearly than ever. Click here or directly on the image below to explore our newly revamped impact webpage – complete with an interactive map highlighting the impact our alumni have had in each Pennsylvania county!
While we are celebrating a major milestone, we’re also preparing for one of our most dynamic program years yet. From field schools and the Stepping Stones Program for new students, our Apprentice Program and Advanced Educational Training for our alumni, and new storytelling initiatives and special anniversary features (wink, wink), 2026 will offer more opportunities than ever for students to learn, lead, and connect. We also look forward to sharing alumni stories, outreach highlights, and reflections from the people who helped build this program over the last twenty years.
As we step into this anniversary year, we are deeply grateful for everyone who has played a part in our journey – students and alumni, parents, volunteers, mentors, donors, partners, and friends. Your passion and support make this work possible. Here’s to celebrating twenty years of impact, and to the next twenty years of inspiring and empowering conservation leaders across Pennsylvania!
Celebrating 20 Years of Empowering Conservation Ambassadors
Posted: January 3, 2026 by Katie Mace
In 2007, the Wildlife Leadership Academy welcomed its very first group of young conservationists to Raystown Field Station in Huntingdon County. Twenty years later, that seed of an idea has grown into a statewide network of students, alumni, mentors, and partners who are shaping the future of conservation in Pennsylvania and beyond. As we begin our 20th anniversary year, we’re reflecting on just how far this community has come -and looking ahead to an exciting year of growth, celebration, and continued impact.
Across two decades, more than 1,200 students have stepped into the woods and streams with us, learning side-by-side with professionals, building leadership skills, and discovering their own ability to make a difference. Their work has created thousands of outreach projects and educational moments that ripple outward into communities in Pennsylvania and beyond. Through education, service, media engagement, creative arts, and outdoor mentorship projects, our students bring conservation to life. Since 2007, academy graduates have engaged over 200,000 citizens through their community outreach projects.
This year, we are excited to showcase that impact more clearly than ever. Click here or directly on the image below to explore our newly revamped impact webpage – complete with an interactive map highlighting the impact our alumni have had in each Pennsylvania county!
While we are celebrating a major milestone, we’re also preparing for one of our most dynamic program years yet. From field schools and the Stepping Stones Program for new students, our Apprentice Program and Advanced Educational Training for our alumni, and new storytelling initiatives and special anniversary features (wink, wink), 2026 will offer more opportunities than ever for students to learn, lead, and connect. We also look forward to sharing alumni stories, outreach highlights, and reflections from the people who helped build this program over the last twenty years.
As we step into this anniversary year, we are deeply grateful for everyone who has played a part in our journey – students and alumni, parents, volunteers, mentors, donors, partners, and friends. Your passion and support make this work possible. Here’s to celebrating twenty years of impact, and to the next twenty years of inspiring and empowering conservation leaders across Pennsylvania!
Category: Youth Blog Tags: featured