Erin Adams is the Senior Coordinator for the Summer VISTA Associate program, joining the Stewards Individual Placement East team in April 2026. Erin graduated in 2008 from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA, with her bachelor’s degree, emphasis in Political Economics and Social Justice. Erin has previously served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member, VISTA Leader, RSVP director, and AmeriCorps State program coordinator.

April has been involved in National Service Program Management since 2007 when she became the first staff member hired to lead what was then known as the Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Team and is now known as Stewards. April holds an M.S. in Strategic Leadership and has a background in nonprofit development. April came to Conservation Legacy following her experience in private education, where she served as Assistant Dean at a college prep high school. There she managed and developed fundraising events, was responsible for student life and parental engagement, and created community service opportunities for the students. In her current role, April provides oversight and management for the delivery of quality programming and meaningful member experiences.

Highlights of April's tenure at Conservation Legacy include design and implementation of bi-annual training events, development of a rural volunteerism toolkit and training series, and leading the expansion of Stewards programs from a regional to a national model. She has presented at numerous national and regional conferences that highlight the work of the OSMRE VISTA program model. April is an active member in her community where she proudly serves as a member of the Beckley Rotary Club, where she serves on the board of directors and incoming Board President (effective 2022). She volunteers with the youth football program by providing positive experiences and opportunities for girls. She most recently was appointed to serve on the Commission for National and Community Service for West Virginia.

Before joining Stewards Individual Placement as a Program Coordinator in June 2026 Emma earned her bachelor’s degree in communication and French from the University of Minnesota. Since then, she’s worked as a circus coach, zip line guide, wedding planner, and in corporate dairy manufacturing. In her free time, Emma enjoys skiing wherever she can find snow, making a mess in the kitchen, and picking as many black raspberries as she can find.

Before joining Stewards in June of 2026 as the Communications Coordinator, Sophia worked in global biodiversity conservation with a focus on communications, fundraising, and partnership management in a variety of roles. She holds a M.A. in Applied Anthropology (2017) and a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology and International Development (2014), both from The University of Montana in Missoula. Sophia spent over a decade as a guide and wrangler working in the backcountry of Glacier National Park and it’s surrounding area as well as Washington’s Cascade mountain range. Sophia also completed her safari guiding certification in South Africa’s Kruger National Park in 2015 and worked at the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia in 2012. After 11 years in Montana and two years in Georgia, she is back to her roots in the Pacific Northwest. Sophia spends her free time walking her local shelter’s resident dogs any chance she gets.

Addie came aboard as a Program Coordinator in the Beckley office in June 2023. Originally from Southern WV, Addie has a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) from Concord University (2003) and a master's degree in library Science (MLS) from the University of North Texas (2014). She has done everything from representing youth in court to grooming dogs; from selling insurance to managing a library branch. She considers her favorite job to be the one that still inspires her today—Appalachia Service Project (ASP). The skills she gained in her position there and her love for the mountains where she grew up are what motivated her to come work for Conservation Legacy. When she isn’t at work, Addie can be found enjoying nature with her cats on her back porch or reading books with her young son.

Hello! (Or Howdy!) My name is Autumn Lilly. I am now the Administrative Specialist for Stewards Individual Placement in Beckley WV! I have worked as a Business Admin for about 5 years now. Since 2020 when Covid-19 hit I have been working 100% remote from home. So, I am super excited to be back into an office setting and for the opportunity to bring my skill set to Conservation Legacy. I look forward to where this journey takes me and who I meet along the way!

I have lived in Southern WV all my life in, Mercer, Monroe, Summers, Fayette, AND Raleigh County! Currently I am calling Bluefield WV “home”. I am a Mama of two, Addilyn -5yr and River- 4yr (photo attached). As a mom of two youngins’ I don’t have a lot of time for personal hobbies. But during the summer months you can find the 3 of us outdoors, hiking trails, at the lake, poolside, at Farmers Markets and greenhouses.

My children are obviously my greatest accomplishment in this life and the legacy I’ll leave behind, so my biggest goal is the values I’m instilling in them and shaping who they will become. However, I do have an Ariat boot collection that I’m very proud of, I love poodles, and hope to someday (in the near future) purchase a HOME for the 3 of us and have a little farm of sorts.

Ariana Nye started as a Program Coordinator with Stewards Individual Placement in June of 2026 and she is excited to begin the journey of learning and connecting with so many talented folks. She is originally from Wisconsin but moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to get her undergraduate degree in Environmental Science with a minor in Biology from Northern Michigan University, graduating in 2024. Ariana has worked in many capacities in the realms of environmental education, science communication and interpretation, land restoration, prescribed burning and wildfire education, and marketing and media communication and outreach. When not chasing those endeavors, she will be out fishing, camping, birding, swimming, reading, crocheting, baking, or browsing interpretive signage (she loves a thoughtful and engaging interpretive sign)!

Kevin Record is a Program Coordinator for Stewards Individual Placements, supporting the Historic Preservation and Trades Program. Born and raised in Southern California, Kevin attended the University of California San Diego where he earned a Bachelors in Archaeological Anthropology. After graduating in 2020, he relocated to New York City to serve an AmeriCorps term with City Year, supporting a class of 8^th grade students in The Bronx, and then with NYC Parks, training and equipping volunteers to steward street trees in New York’s urban forest. After spending some time coordinating internships & volunteer programs in both educational and environmental non-profit spaces, Kevin joined Stewards in 2024 with the goal of uplifting the experiences of others interested in national service and supporting environmental & historic preservation efforts. Outside of work, Kevin enjoys film photography, cooking, hiking, reading, writing and (most recently) abysmal attempts at ceramics. He can often be found exploring green spaces in every corner of the city or hunting down yet another coffee shop in which to get hopelessly overcaffeinated.

Susie Schroer grew-up in Missouri and often felt like a character in a Mark Twain novel; Susie’s family built a log house in the country and she spent her childhood walking the woods with her dog, identifying trees with her Dad, fishing with her brother, and riding her bike down dirt roads to her favorite swimming hole. Susie attended Drury University in Springfield, MO where she graduated with her bachelor’s degrees in journalism and psychology. After graduation, Susie was inspired by her Mom to join AmeriCorps and she moved out West to be a VISTA with a non-profit that would provide outdoor recreation programming for individuals with disabilities. After her AmeriCorps service, Susie went on to work for the Utah Office of Tourism where she focused on promoting the state as an accessible recreation destination. She then went on to work with Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation as an Adaptive Recreation Manager and providing Paralympic-style sport opportunities in and around the Salt Lake valley. In 2018 Susie moved to Athens, Ohio with her wife Molly where they live in their dream farmhouse with three dogs, a cat, and chickens. Susie joined Conservation Legacy in October 2021 as a Program Coordinator for Stewards Individual Placements.

Meaghan Scott joined Stewards Individual Placements East in May of 2024 as a Program Coordinator. She has extensive customer service experience from her time spent in the restaurant and hospitality industries, retail, banking, and most recently corporate risk management. She was born in Denver, Colorado and has lived in Montana, California, Georgia, Florida, and currently resides in beautiful Eastern Tennessee. Meaghan graduated from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in 2013 and enjoys traveling and trying new foods from all over the world. Always eager to cross off items on her bucket list, she never hesitates to jump at any new adventure. She can normally be found outdoors hiking, kayaking, fishing, riding a motorcycle, or relaxing in a hammock with a good book.

Hannah Stone is the VISTA Program Director for Stewards Individual Placements. A graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, WV, Hannah studied Psychology and then received her M.A. in Counseling. After graduation she continued coursework to obtain a Program Evaluation Certificate from Marshall University and is currently enrolled in Marshall University’s MPA program with a focus in Nonprofit Management. Hannah is a native of Charleston, West Virginia and still resides on the West Side with her husband, daughter, two cats and an unruly garden. She is also an AmeriCorps Alum and served three summers with Energy Express supporting reading and literacy initiatives for West Virginian students in grades K-5. Prior to coming to Stewards, Hannah was with the West Virginia State Commission for National Service. During her seven-year tenure she provided strategic development, program management and grant oversight to all West Virginia AmeriCorps State and National AmeriCorps programs. Hannah is firm believer in national service and the transformative experience of a year of service. She is honored to carry on the tradition of the early VISTAs who, in the 1960s, served in Appalachian coal communities across West Virginia.

Deidrah Stanchfield is a Program Manager for Stewards and joined Conservation Legacy in May 2026. After several field seasons with the Maine Conservation Corps (MCC) as a Field Team Member, Field Team Leader, and Training Coordinator, she became the Program Manager for Individual Placements at MCC in 2016. In that role, she supported AmeriCorps members across Maine in field‑based conservation and community projects.

Deidrah graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science, with a concentration in Administrative and Organizational Behavior. Before entering the conservation and national service world, she spent eight years working in healthcare. That experience, combined with her time in service, shaped her commitment to helping people, strengthening communities, and building effective teams.

While beginning her MCC journey, Deidrah also served four winter seasons as Director of the Augusta Community Warming Center, where she saw firsthand how volunteerism and service can transform both communities and those who serve. A Maine Conservation Corps and Recovery Corps alum, she has extensive experience in program coordination, training and leadership development, and field‑based conservation work.

Deidrah currently holds a Wilderness First Aid certification and has been internally certified by MCC to fell hazard trees. Known as a chainsaw‑wielding mom of three, she thrives on hard physical labor, wild places, and a good day’s work with a strong crew. Her move to Conservation Legacy was driven by a desire to expand her professional skills beyond Maine, contribute to a nationwide organization, and learn from conservation and service efforts across the country.

Patricia Urquiza Silva is a dedicated Program Manager at Conservation Legacy from her remote office in Harrisonburg, VA, where she plays a pivotal role in overseeing national service programs that foster environmental stewardship and community engagement. With a strong foundation in biological sciences, Patricia brings both academic rigor and a passion for conservation to her work, effectively bridging the gap between scientific research and practical application.

Her academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree in biology from Concord University, followed by graduate studies in Molecular Genetics and Cytogenetics from the University of Toronto. During her time in Toronto, Patricia immersed herself in research, contributing to the field of genetics and honing her analytical skills. Her scientific background provides a solid framework for her current role, where she applies her expertise to develop and manage programs that address pressing environmental issues.

At Conservation Legacy, Patricia is instrumental in coordinating initiatives that empower individuals through service opportunities, particularly within the Stewards Individual Placements. Her leadership ensures that projects not only meet conservation goals but also promote community development and education. Patricia's commitment to science and service reflects her belief in the transformative power of hands-on environmental work.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Patricia is an avid science enthusiast with a lifelong interest in NASA and space exploration. She enjoys exploring new cities all over the world and indulging in classic science fiction and Old Hollywood films. Patricia's diverse interests and experiences enrich her approach to conservation, making her a dynamic leader in the field.

Jessica Zukowski is a Program Manager for Stewards Individual Placements. A graduate of Berea College in Berea, Kentucky, Jessica received her B.A. in Women’s Studies and African and African American Studies. Jessica is a native of Southern West Virginia, after 9 years in Kentucky she returned home to the Mountain State to complete two years of national service as an AmeriCorps VISTA coordinating the Family Friendly Communities Project in Mount Hope, WV. Prior to coming to Stewards, she worked directly with families as an in-home educator. Jessica believes in the power of national service to lift up and empower communities and enjoys the opportunity to support national service projects across the country. Jessica is also the mother to three beautiful children who keep her very busy.

Geoff grew up in Connecticut and made his way out west to attend the University of Montana. After graduating, he moved to Estes Park, CO for an education fellowship leading environmental education programs with Rocky Mountain Conservancy. Towards the end of his experience, he shifted his focus to supporting the Conservancy’s youth corps and quickly found his passion for conservation service programs. Geoff spent the last several years leading corps programs, environmental education opportunities, and volunteer experiences for the Conservancy and Colorado Trout Unlimited and completed his M.S. in Conservation Leadership at Colorado State University. He joined Stewards in October 2021 as a Program Director and now Executive Director. Outside of work, he serves as a volunteer firefighter for the Glen Haven Area Volunteer Fire Department and enjoys spending time outdoors rafting, fly fishing, camping, and skiing with his family.

Emma joined the Stewards Individual Placements in May 2015. She grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina where she spent most of her time exploring in the woods with her family. This upbringing inspired her to seek out a B.S. in Ecology and Field Biology. Since then, she has traveled down many paths, all with the common theme of helping others become inspired to make a positive difference in the environment. She has had a variety of jobs from being an animal keeper to leading naturalist hikes for kids to being a science museum exhibit educator. Her time with the Stewards Individual Placements has opened her eyes to different avenues of making an environmental impact, where she feels grateful to be part of a passionate team that seeks to create meaningful change.

She is the most content when she is mountain biking, crafting, gardening, beekeeping, doing yoga and spending time with her family and her dogs.

James joined the incredible team with Stewards Individual Placements in 2022 as a Program Coordinator. Before that he explored a winding road – teaching Latin at University of Arkansas, writing about film theory, developing an invasives program in Montana, coordinating conservation crews with Southeast Conservation Corps, restoring habitat in Grand Teton National Park, prescribed burning Arkansas’ public lands – all while cooking up a storm! James spends his days with his partner kayaking lakes near Hot Springs Village, hiking the Ouachita Mountains, and relaxing with a cadre of incredible dogs.

Sage Bates was born in Las Vegas, Nevada where she grew up with an appreciation for the beauty and harshness of the Mojave Desert. Not being able to choose just one path, Sage studied Communications and Geology at Northern Arizona University. After graduating, she joined the Nevada Conservation Corps and after one season knew that she wanted to pursue a career in the conservation industry. After completing the leadership development program and leading crews, Sage decided she wanted to learn the processes that work behind the scenes to run programming. She began working with The Great Basin Institute as the Recruitment and Compliance Coordinator and then the Marketing and Outreach Coordinator. Wanting a change of scenery, Sage moved to Oregon to work for the Northwest Youth Corps as a Program Coordinator. Sage brings with her a passion for fostering relations with outdoor ambassadors and creating an inclusive industry for all. Outside of work, you can find Sage hiking, trying a new recipe, thrifting, or reading.

Lea joined Conservation Legacy in the spring of 2022 as an enrollment specialist for Stewards Individual Placement Program. When not at work, you can find her with her dog, a book in her hands, making art or birdwatching.

Ash is based in Chattanooga, TN and came to conservation in 2021 after realizing that she wanted to pursue it as a career instead of just a hobby. She served two AmeriCorps terms, one with Montana Conservation Corps and another as a VISTA and joined Conservation Legacy in early 2023 as a member of the Enrollment Team. She loves to explore the temperate forests of the Southeast and is especially passionate about cave exploration in the region as well. When she isn't wandering outside, she can be found cuddling with her cats and enjoying cooking meals from her garden with her partner.

Sam Rush joined Conservation Legacy from Savannah, GA in 2024 as a Stewards Individual Placements West Program Coordinator. Sam began their career as an AmeriCorps member at the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless and in Americorps*NCCC. Their time in national service led them to work in field-based conservation around the country, including stints in Glacier National Park, at the foot of the Hoover Dam, and by a little waterfall somewhere in Vermont that they swear exists, but never found again. They have a bachelor's degree in Youth Development and Peace and Conflict from Goddard College and are trained in crisis intervention. Sam is a hospice volunteer and is passionate about end-of-life care and advocacy, reading, and thinking about birds.

Emma was born and raised in Michigan and quickly grew to love the outdoors through hiking and camping with her family in Canada during the summers. After graduating Lake Superior State University in 2015 with a BS in Conservation Biology, Emma began her career as a Crew Member at ACE in Flagstaff, Arizona. From that point on Emma knew that her passion was in environmental stewardship, and engagement. After bouncing around the US gaining experience in the field of Conservation, Emma joined the Conservation Legacy team in 2017 as a Recruitment and Member Support Coordinator with AZCC and is excited about this new opportunity with Stewards. In her free time, you can catch Emma listening to a podcast while hiking, camping with her husband Dan, or snuggling her cat Opal and reading a good book.

Morgan Hassey was born in Houston and grew up amongst the beaches and bays of the Texas Gulf Coast. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in Plan II Honors and Sociology, Morgan used her passion for food and the environment to launch her career as a nonprofit professional focused on supporting sustainable farmers in Central Texas. After taking a year to explore North America’s natural wonders, and traveling over 20,000 miles in the process, Morgan became even more passionate about protecting and enhancing our nation’s lands. She joined Stewards Individual Placement in March 2023. Outside of work, Morgan enjoys traveling, SCUBA diving, cooking elaborate meals and collecting new hobbies (stamp carving, spoon whittling, sailing, etc.) because she can never settle on just one.

Maddie grew up in Massachusetts and found her passion for the outdoors by spending time exploring New England. In 2024, Maddie earned a degree in Environmental Studies at Skidmore College in upstate New York. Here, she gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of environmental problems. This knowledge drove her to seek a role in the field of conservation. Maddie worked with the Regional Environmental Council, Gunpowder Riverkeeper Alliance, and the Global Atlas of Environmental Justice. She joined Conservation Legacy in 2024 as the Ecological Monitoring Program Coordinator with the Southwest Conservation Corps. In early 2026, she started her role with Stewards Individual Placements as an Enrollment Specialist. Maddie has a passion for the outdoors in all capacities. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, skiing, or simply laying in a hammock in a beautiful spot. She also enjoys cooking, crafts, and has a passion for dance and movement. With a love for the natural world and an ethic for its conservation, Maddie is excited to be helping early career individuals in her role!

Jessica grew up in NYC but found her passion for conservation while studying Biology throughout college in upstate New York. From there she relocated to the Midwest where she completed a series of temporary positions with the Audubon Society, Student Conservation Association and USDA. In 2021 Jessica returned to school to earn her Master’s degree in Conservation Biology, before joining the Forest Service in their Resource Assistant Program. After completing that program Jessica worked as a Grants & Agreements Specialist before joining Conservation Legacy in her role as an Enrollment Specialist. Outside of working Jessica enjoys birding, hiking, crafting, watching live music and spending time with her beloved fiancé and dog.

Nicole Cabral joined the Stewards West Team as a Program Coordinator in March 2026. Before joining Conservation Legacy, she spent seven years serving the Southern Ute community in Southwest Colorado, developing education programs ranging from GED preparation and Indigenous law to drone aviation and petroglyph identification. After graduating from George Mason University with a degree in Advertising, Nicole completed two AmeriCorps terms with the Notre Dame Mission Volunteers in the Bay Area, carrying forward a deep commitment to equitable education that continues to guide her professional mission. When she’s off the clock, she’s most likely outside near a stream, happily inspecting rocks and plants with a tasty snack in hand.

Before joining Stewards in May 2026, Katie worked in environmental education, conservation, and energy efficiency. After graduating with a degree in Environmental Science from Washington State University, she served terms with Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa, completing projects focused on community engagement and education. She has since earned a master’s degree in Environmental Education from Hamline University and has worked in a variety of roles with local governments and nonprofits in the Twin Cities. Based in St. Paul, MN, Katie enjoys finding ways to make outdoor work approachable and engaging for everyone. Outside of work, you’ll usually find her knitting, visiting new parks and trails with er dog, kayaking, rock hunting, or searching for cool Pokémon cards to collect.

Before joining Stewards in June of 2026 as the Communications Coordinator, Sophia worked in global biodiversity conservation with a focus on communications, fundraising, and partnership management in a variety of roles. She holds a M.A. in Applied Anthropology (2017) and a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology and International Development (2014), both from The University of Montana in Missoula. Sophia spent over a decade as a guide and wrangler working in the backcountry of Glacier National Park and it’s surrounding area as well as Washington’s Cascade mountain range. Sophia also completed her safari guiding certification in South Africa’s Kruger National Park in 2015 and worked at the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia in 2012. After 11 years in Montana and two years in Georgia, she is back to her roots in the Pacific Northwest. Sophia spends her free time walking her local shelter’s resident dogs any chance she gets.

Cassie joined Conservation Legacy as a Program Coordinator for Stewards Individual Placements in 2026. Growing up in New Hampshire, she spent her childhood exploring the mountains and forests of New England. This eventually led her to pursue and earn a bachelor’s degree in conservation biology and a minor in outdoor leadership from NC State University in Raleigh in 2016. After working in environmental education in NC and as a wilderness ranger in White River National Forest, CO she spent time living in Zion National Park, New Zealand, Australia and Steamboat Springs, CO. After a few years working seasonally, she settled in the San Juan Mountains of CO with her partner, first in Ouray and now in Durango. She has worked in admin and customer service for guiding outfits, ski shops, a jet boat company and an arborist, but always hoped to reconnect her career with her passion for conservation and stewardship of public lands. As a collector of hobbies, outside of work you can find her canyoning, hiking, skiing, bouldering, floating a river, rockhounding, crafting or playing video games.