Celebrating the 2025 Pay It Forward Team

This fall, the Wildlife Leadership Academy’s Pay It Forward Team took on an inspiring challenge: to raise $10,000 by November 30th in support of future conservation leaders. Motivated by gratitude for the experiences, mentors, and friendships they gained at field school, these students dedicated themselves to giving back to the program. Thanks to the Campbell Foundation’s dollar-for-dollar match, their efforts carried even greater impact, doubling every contribution made to their individual fundraising goals.

Behind the scenes, Lexi Chisholm our Field School and Office Manager, guided the campaign and supported the team every step of the way. Throughout the fall, she supported the students through weekly “Wednesday Wins” emails that celebrated the small and big milestones. Bi-weekly Zoom sessions offered students opportunities to develop fundraising skills, brainstorm ideas together, and carve out dedicated time to work on their campaigns. The Academy also provided a robust resource page tailored to Pay It Forward participants, including templates, sample letters, and social media graphics to help students with their fundraising efforts.

What makes this campaign especially meaningful is the stories behind each student’s page. From heartfelt reflections to memories from field school, every participant shared their journey in a personal and authentic way. Some highlighted the moment they realized conservation was their passion; others talked about the mentors who inspired them or the hands-on experiences that shaped their confidence as young leaders. Exploring their pages is like watching the Academy’s mission in action through the eyes of its students and we encourage you to check them out below!

2025 Pay It Forward Team

The impact of the Pay It Forward Team extends far beyond dollars raised. It reflects the Academy’s commitment to supporting students from high school to career and equipping them not only with conservation knowledge but also the communication, leadership, and community engagement skills that serve them for years to come. Each student who shared their story, reached out to their community, or stepped a little outside their comfort zone grew in ways that will stay with them long after the campaign has ended.

As we celebrate this year’s accomplishments, we invite you to explore the students’ fundraising pages below and join us in recognizing their hard work, creativity, and dedication. The Pay It Forward Team represents what is possible when young people are empowered, and we are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved together.