2017 Emerging Trail Leaders

Emerging Trail Leader Scholarship Recipient

Stephanie Cantu

Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

My name is Stephanie Cantu, I am currently a junior at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs working toward a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development. Over the past three years I have had the pleasure of working with various organizations on local and out of state trail programs. My interest in trail work began with the Mile-High Youth Corps in Colorado Springs the summer of 2013. From then on, I dedicated myself to outdoor stewardship. Wanting to continue with trail work during the school year, I acquired a job with my university’s Trail Crew. I later spent the summer of 2014 in Maine as a Student Conservation Association Backcountry Trail Intern. I also volunteer for various nonprofits during the school year such as the Pikes Peak Climbing Alliance that work on trails in popular climbing locations and Rocky Mountain Field Institute that work on reconstruction, maintenance, and restoration. While my background might seem extensive, I still think I have a lot to learn from stewards with many more years of experience and more extensive background, and am eager to learn about their history in the field. I hope to gain new skills and knowledge of trail work, techniques, and learn how to build a professional career in trails. I also plan on bringing back these new skills to my universities program, and help students who are interested in being stewards as well.