NextGen

Next Gen Trail Leader

Holly Mandarich

Wesley Trimble

NextGen Trail Leaders are rising stars in the outdoor community and the voice of young hikers who take part in a yearlong program of advocacy and stewardship to protect public lands.

Each year American Hiking brings together five early to early-mid career leaders in the outdoor community with a diversity of identities from across the country. American Hiking provides these Leaders with training, mentorship, networking, trail stewardship opportunities, and professional development and gear stipends. Through this partnership, NextGen Trail Leaders build and refine their advocacy and outdoor leadership experience and skills, speaking out to elected officials, serving as ambassadors to the hiking community, building a nationwide stewardship movement, and championing conservation, equity, and inclusion.

Meet the NextGen Leaders

2025 NextGen Leaders

Ron Griswell

NextGen Stories

“Does anything I do even matter?”- A NextGen Trail Leader recounts their first advocacy experience.

“Does anything I do even matter? Even as I educate community members and participate in service projects at trailheads in my own community, can I actually change things? Do my elected officials truly hear my emails, phone calls, and petitions?” These questions have been stirring in my mind for years as I have tried to be more active in advocacy for policies that protect the wild places I love.

Reality Check: National Public Lands Advocacy

I learned a lot about federal politics in just a few short days, and while I’m still trying to figure out what it means to me, I think that it’s important to keep perspective. That said, I’m not going to stop dreaming – about ways to improve trails and my community today, and about ways to advocate for change in the future.

Hike the Hill® 2019 Wraps-up with Senate Passage of Public Lands Package, including LWCF

Hike the Hill® 2019 Wraps-up with Senate Passage of Public Lands Package, including LWCF Photographer’s Name A whirlwind Hike the Hill® just concluded with major victories and breakthroughs on legislation…

Introducing the 2019 NextGen Trail Leaders

American Hiking Launches 2019 NextGen Trail Leaders The second class of AHS NextGen Trail Leaders brings together rising stars in the outdoor community from all walks of life and across…

My Journey in the Outdoor Industry (So Far)

In order to explain and emphasize the importance of what being a NextGen Trail Leader means to me, I must first take you on a journey of how I started…

2018 National Trails Day® Report

2018 Report Together We Improved 3,954 Miles of Trail June 2, 2018 For 25 years, National Trails Day® has united the trails community on the first Saturday of June with…

Meet the 2025 NextGen Trail Leaders

Kaci Stringer

Whitney Stohr-Hendrickson

(she/her/hers)

@rollin.n.rockin

Biography

Whitney Stohr is a consultant, philanthropist, educator, and activist, based in the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her husband, two young sons, and their family pets. She loves spending her days outdoors, passing on her love of nature to her children. Together, the family spends their summers traveling the country in their beloved RV, camping and hiking along the way.

Born in the heart of the Yakima Valley in central Washington State, Whitney cherishes memories of spending days in her grandparent's apple orchards and venturing out on family hikes through the Cascades. Summer vacations included trips to the Oregon Coast with her family and weeks of camping with friends across the West. As a young adult, Whitney pursued her academic interest in environmental work, completing graduate degrees in conservation and ecological restoration (M.S.) and international environmental law (LL.M.), in addition to a law degree (J.D.). She spent years working in environmental policy in government, nonprofits, and the private sector.

In 2021, Whitney founded the nonprofit Kids Rise Fund, dedicated to supporting and uplifting kids and families with diverse needs. With her background in conservation, Whitney has leveraged her experience to drive forward important work advocating for the right of children with disabilities to access outdoor recreation and nature-based programming. As a medical and family caregiver herself, Whitney has experienced firsthand the healing impact of nature and continues to be a vocal advocate for equitable access to and accessibility within outdoor spaces.

What excites you most about becoming a NextGen Trail Leader?

I am excited to make new connections and for the opportunity to really exercise my advocacy muscles while learning all I can from my time in the program.

Ryanne Crary

(she/her/hers)

@ryrylouise

Biography

Ryanne Crary grew up on a farm in Northern Arizona, where she was raised to respect open spaces and the relationship wildlife plays in our everyday lives. Formally an Instructor and Animal Handler at the Phoenix Zoo, Ryanne's passion for wildlife and conservation education only grew, and she then received her B.S. in Parks and Recreation and Parks and Protected Spaces from Arizona State University.

Now an Outdoor Programming Specialist for her local parks and recreation agency, and an Arizona Master Naturalist, Ryanne focuses on getting every body on the trails and educating the public about their local wildlife and spaces and how they can protect them.

When she's not at work, Ryanne can be found either climbing her favorite routes of the Granite Dells or hiking in the Highlands of Prescott with her husband and her 2 pups and picking up every cool rock she sees.

What excites you most about becoming a NextGen Trail Leader?

I'm excited to get more people outside and work with AHS to spark a passion for conservation and stewardship in past, present, and future generations!

Brandan Freeman

(he/him/his)

@sweetbfree

Biography

Brandan Freeman is an Outdoor Recreation DEI Consultant from Saline, Michigan, who is passionate about increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in outdoor spaces. From his passion he founded “Shades of the Outdoors: A BIPOC Outdoor Enthusiast Community.” The community encourages participation in outdoor recreation by hosting a wide range of outdoor events throughout the year, and by engaging with outdoor organizations to challenge them to remove structures that allow inequities to persist.

Brandan is also a husband, father of a very adventurous toddler, and an avid outdoor enthusiast. Hiking, backpacking, and trail running are Brandan’s favorite outdoor activities. His most memorable adventures include backpacking in the wilderness of Alaska’s Denali National Park and hiking the length of Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park.

A few of Brandan's goals include finishing a section hike of Michigan’s “Shore to Shore” trail this year, and eventually visiting every U.S. National Park.

What excites you most about becoming a NextGen Trail Leader?

I'm excited to advocate for the protection and creation of trails. Especially ensuring access for individuals who have been historically excluded.

Jermia Powell

(she/her/hers)

@mia.on.the.media

Biography

Jermia is a black first-generation college student who was born and raised in southern Arkansas.

After leaving the little town she grew up in to move to Northwest Arkansas for her studies, Jermia’s life changed. During her time in the hills, she got the opportunity to go on beautiful trips with her college to several places, such as national parks, hiking trails, etc. In a short amount of time of being in a new environment, she learned a lot about herself and wanted to spend more time traveling outdoors with people she loved.

Therefore, Jermia set out to look for doors that will lead her to a career in conservation and a chance to do more with her life. Not only was she determined to explore the wonders of nature, but she also wanted to help people who lived in small towns like hers experience the things earth has to offer.

What excites you most about becoming a NextGen Trail Leader?

I’m looking forward to helping communities get connected with nature because I want everyone to have access to gorgeous open areas where they can relax and take a break from being around buildings all day.

Anjelica Avella

(she/her/hers)

@adventureswithanjelica

Biography

My name is Anjelica Avella and I am a proud Plus-Size Mexican American Hiker. I’m a full time speech therapist, caregiver, outdoor hiking community leader and nature enthusiast. Exploring local trails and mountain peaks is how I view the world. The trails have not always been welcoming for someone like me and it’s why I’m passionate about creating inclusive events for everyone. I aspire to inspire more women to venture outdoors and host free weekend hiking/backpacking trips for women.

While I did not grow up hiking, it’s all very new to me and easy to fall in love with a new trail. Backpacking has been a huge source of healing and growth for myself. I’ve solo backpacked the complete John Muir Trail and the High Sierra Trail. I’ve hiked many of the Southern California highest peaks. By the grace of god, I’ve even made it to the rooftop of Africa twice and aspire to help others reach their summits as well.

I was the subject and co-story produced the short documentary film, Forward, with SpruceToneFilms presented by Smartwool and Osprey. Forward screened in festivals all across the US and internationally while helping contribute to the Wilderness Society gaining enough signatures to pressure the Biden Administration to officially expand the San Gabriel National Monument by over a 100k acres.

Was once crippled by shyness most of my life, I’ve found my voice and hope to continue to represent in these outdoor spaces.

What excites you most about becoming a NextGen Trail Leader?

I’m most passionate about representing marginalized minorities as a Next Gen Trail Leader. Because so many of us are underrepresented in our outdoor spaces and industries. It’s important for us all to create inclusive opportunities in the outdoors and provide resources for conservation and education to grow within our communities. I’m very excited to learn and grow within American Hiking Society while advocating for the outdoor spaces we all know and love. Especially during our country’s time of need when we completely need to be all hands on deck to protect our National Parks and public lands.

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Next Gen Trail Leader

Holly Mandarich

Wesley Trimble

NextGen Trail Leaders are rising stars in the outdoor community and the voice of young hikers who take part in a yearlong program of advocacy and stewardship to protect public lands.

Ron Griswell

NextGen Stories

Meet the 2025 NextGen Trail Leaders

Kaci Stringer

Whitney Stohr-Hendrickson

(she/her/hers)

Biography

Ryanne Crary

(she/her/hers)

Biography

Brandan Freeman

(he/him/his)

Biography

Jermia Powell

(she/her/hers)

Biography

Anjelica Avella

(she/her/hers)

Biography

Shawnte Salabert

Liz Thomas