Maddy F.
Serving with Camp Pioneer and the Randolph County Museum

I grew up in Green Bank, West Virginia. After studying abroad in Ireland and graduating from Shepherd University in August 2022, I wanted to pursue hands-on opportunities in the cultural heritage and history fields beyond the classroom before continuing my studies. In my spare time I enjoy creative writing, digital art, long walks, and playing video games. I’m eager to put my love of history and heritage, as well as my creative passions, to work in serving my sites and the community. I’m also so excited to explore more of my Appalachian home while learning all I can from my AmeriCorps experience!

Kristin W.
Serving with ArtSpring and Alpine Festival

I grew up most of my life in the Appalachian Mountains. Originally from Allegany County, MD, I have lived in Tucker County, West Virginia for the past decade as a traveling art teacher in Garrett County, MD. Prior to living here, I attended Maryland Institute College of Art and studied traditional methods of printmaking, painting, and bookmaking in Florence, Italy. In 2006 I earned a BFA in Printmaking and Painting and a MAT in Art Education from Frostburg State University in 2010. I have worked at non-profits in the Washington DC area, taught ESL in South Korea, and taught art in multiple capacities in MD, WV, and NC. I am also a visual artist and I am consistently inspired by the richness of Appalachian Culture and the breathtaking beauty of our natural environment. To me, there is no place like home in Appalachia.

Sam L.
Serving with AFNHA Recreation

Hi! I’m Sam, and I’m from Milwaukee, WI. After graduating from Ball State University’s animation program, I joined AFNHA AmeriCorps to explore humanity’s relationship with the environment and push myself to have more effective conversations about climate solutions through my art. So far Elkins has been comfortably outside my comfort zone, and I look forward to learning more about the history here!

Samantha G.
Serving with Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge

My name is Samantha Grimes. I am a new AmeriCorps with Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area. I’m from Frederick, Maryland. I graduated from Alderson Broaddus University in 2023 with majors in environmental sciences and natural resource management with a concentration in wildlife. I interned with West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Save Our Streams program. I also interned for Save the Tygart Watershed Association. My last position was as an environmental educator with Pocono Environmental Education Center. On my time off, I enjoy hiking, playing DnD, and reading.

Caro E.
Serving with AFNHA

Hello! I'm Caro and I'm serving as the America250 Story Development Associate for AFNHA. I recently graduated from Denison University with a degree in Environmental Studies and Theatre with a concentration in Environmental Storytelling. I'm excited to learn more about Appalachia and be a part of sharing stories. During my summers in college, I worked in environmental education in Dayton, Ohio. I love spending time kayaking, crocheting, and hiking with my dog, Ghost. I also love getting to meet new people and sharing knowledge about our environment.

Eden Gervasio
Serving with AFNHA

I am serving with AFNHA in the main office focusing on the National Visitor Use Monitoring  Survey, Pollinator Initiative, and Volunteer Coordination. I am a gymnastics coach, public health outreach worker and longtime farm volunteer from upstate New York. 

Sam K.
Serving with Monongahela National Forest

Hello! My name is Sam Kniery, and I am serving with the Mon Forest Towns Partnership and US Forest Service throughout the Monongahela National Forest region. I was raised in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and am fond of folklore, fungi, fossils, and getting lost in the great outdoors. I graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Anthropology, specializing in human-environment interactions. Noting the transformative potential of community-led cultural and environmental resource management, I am excited to join AFNHA and Mon Forest Towns in exploring collaborative approaches to connect Americans with the land and their past, empowering positive change in our future. 

Josie S.
Serving with Beverly Heritage Center

Hi, my name is Josie! I'm from Monongah, West Virginia and I got my degree in anthropology and history from WVU. I did my archaeological field school in Ferns, Co. Wexford, Ireland. I prefer researching workers rights, pirates, property law, and countercultures. I also really like learning about swords! I am serving as the preservation associate for the BHC and it's been great so far! I love reading, playing video games, and collecting board games.

Eleanor R.
Serving with AFNHA

Hello! I’m Eleanor, and I’m serving as the Museum Associate with the Appalachian Forest Discovery Center in Elkins. I look forward to learning more about the region and developing the 2024 season exhibit at the Discovery Center. I grew up in Virginia and earned my undergraduate degree at William & Mary in anthropology and public history. This is my second term as an AmeriCorps member, as I previously served in the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, Southwest Region. I love being outdoors and can’t wait to complete the AFNHA Hiking Challenge to earn my badge!

Lauren B.
Serving with Monongahela National Forest

Hi! My name is Lauren, and I am a West Virginia native who is in love with film photography, coffee making, and petting my cats. I graduated from WVU with a bachelor's degree in Anthropology and Religious Studies, and am now serving with the Monongahela National Forest Heritage as a Heritage and Archaeological Intern. I am extremely passionate about archaeology and was trained in excavation at Crow Canyon Archaeological Center in Cortez, CO. This past summer, I was an SCA Intern helping rearchive federal collections at the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex, and now want to continue my work in public education. I dedicate myself to combining material artifacts and oral history to immortalize our history and find strength in our roots.

Daniel C.
Serving with U.S. Fish & Wildlife

Hi! My name is Daniel, and I'm serving with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in the Canaan Valley. I'm originally from the other, easterly version of Virginia, and I recently finished a B.S. in Environmental & Sustainability Sciences at Cornell University. There, my studies emphasized applied ecology and aquatic research, and a summer I spent paddling ponds with a freshwater ecology lab was instrumental in cultivating my love of fieldwork. Here in the Mountain State, I'm thrilled to be getting out and about with the FWS, helping advance projects on stream connectivity, endangered species conservation, and private landowner engagement. When spare time makes itself available, I enjoy reading, cooking, and goofing off outside.

Janet G.
Serving with Beverly Heritage Center

Hello!  I am currently serving as ON TRAC Coordinator at the Beverly Heritage Center, assisting with continuing development of heritage tourism and community engagement, and reviving promotion for the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike project.  I am a Randolph County native, a graduate of Davis & Elkins College, and have recently retired from a career in the oil and gas industry.  Some of my personal interests are photography and fiber arts.  I look forward to promoting and advocating for the local community and area.  

Geneva B.
Serving with The Nature Conservancy

Hi I'm Geneva Brown and I am serving with the Nature Conservancy as their Stewardship Coordinator. I am a recent graduate from West Virginia Wesleyan College with my Bachelors in Biology with minors in music and gender studies. When I am not working I enjoy crocheting and hiking and West Virginia is the perfect place to do this!

Robert H.
Serving with Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge

My name is Robert Halle. I recently graduated from Frostburg State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries. I achieved the rank of Eagle Scout during my time in the Boy Scouts of America and until I started in this position I was still active with my troop as an adult leader. This is not my first time serving at the Canaan Valley NWR. Last year, I had the opportunity to serve as an Invasive Species Specialist and for the past 6 months I have been working as the Maintenance Intern/ YCC Crew Lead.

Grace B.
Serving with Upshur County Historical Society

Hi! I'm Grace, and I am serving with the Upshur County Historical Society at their Document Repository in Buckhannon. I'm originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I recently received my bachelor's degree in Anthropology/Archaeology and Religious Studies from Mercyhurst University. As an archaeologist, I place great value on heritage preservation. But preservation alone is not enough--accessibility of historical and heritage resources is also incredibly important to me. I was very excited to move to this beautiful state, learn more about it's history, and use my training in a way to promote heritage preservation and access. Outside of my service, I enjoy drawing, writing, hiking, and playing D&D.