Ambassador Program

  Holly Mandarich

Would you like to join us as we empower all to enjoy, share, and preserve the hiking experience? Learn more about our NextGen Trail Leader and Ambassador programs.

Two Ways Individuals Can Partner With American Hiking Society

  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.

NextGen Stories

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…

Hiking the Hill and Remembering Lincoln

The most vivid memory I have of Hike The Hill® is standing next to Abraham Lincoln’s embodiment in the Lincoln Memorial at sunset and reading part of the Gettysburg Address –…

Congress Passes Trail Inclusive Spending Bill

It looks like our targeted advocacy worked!  On March 22, Congress passed legislation to fund the government through October 2018. While we’re still going through the 2,232 page bill for…

Record Number of Participants Hike the Hill® to Advocate for Trails and Public Lands

The largest ever Hike the Hill® brought 123 hikers and trail organization representatives to Washington, D.C. to advocate before congress and the federal government for trail programs and public lands.…

Introducing American Hiking Society’s NextGen Trail Leaders

The inaugural class of AHS NextGen Trail Leaders brings together rising stars in the outdoor community from all walks of life and across the country. Through AHS, NextGen Trail Leaders…

Meet the 2023 NextGen Trail Leaders

   Kaci Stringer
A hiker stands next to a trailhead sign.

Tamika Graham

(she/her/hers)
A Hiker stands on top of Mt. Whitney holding a Mt. Whitney sign.

Liz Guerrero

(she/her/hers)
A backpacker hikes on a trail in a forest.

Thurman Hogan III

(he/him/his)
A hiker stands in front of an alpine lake.

Irasema Romero

(she/her/hers)
A hiker stands in Mt Baker Wilderness

Tammy VuPham

(she/her/hers)

American Hiking Society Ambassadors

   Shawnte Salabert

Hiking experts, leaders, content creators, and most importantly passionate advocates of the hiking experience.

AHS Ambassadors:

  • Represent American Hiking Society as a voice for hiking and public lands across social media and AHS communications.
  • Provide content and storytelling for the AHS Blog and social media channels.
  • Receive advocacy and communications resources to be effective advocates and leaders.
  • Join or support annual National Trails Day® events in their local areas in June as a host or participant.
  • Have the opportunity to participate in an American Hiking Volunteer Vacation stewardship trip.
  • Participate in other AHS advocacy campaigns, programs, and activities.

AHS Provides Ambassadors:

  • Discounted registration for an American Hiking Volunteer Vacation trip.
  • Networking opportunities with leaders and other professionals in the outdoor industry.
  • Swag and gear from AHS and corporate sponsors.

AHS Ambassador Applicants should be:

  • Passionate about outdoor advocacy, hiking, and stewardship.
  • Excellent, dynamic communicators.
  • Available to engage regularly throughout the year on social media and AHS communications on efforts to protect public lands, hiking, and diversity in the outdoors.

Meet the AHS Ambassadors

Liz Thomas
carolynhartfieldamicalola

Carolyn Hartfield

Hiker/Adventure Leader/Speaker

Michael Lanza

Michael Lanza

Author/Photographer

Bob and Martha Manning cropped

Bob and Martha Manning

Hikers/Authors/Speakers

Jennifer_Pharr_Davis

Jennifer Pharr Davis

Author/Hiker/Speaker

AHS-Liz-Thomas

Liz Thomas

Author/Hiker