2017 Emerging Trail Leaders

Emerging Trail Leader Scholarship Recipient

Toyya Mahoney

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

My name is Toyya Mahoney and I am very interested in the Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program. I have a bachelor's degree in Public Administration. I have been gaining trail work experience working for the Bureau of Reclamation while working towards a position in environmental awareness. My ultimate goal is to become a superintendent of a park and to create a legacy which inspires the next generation of trail leaders.

My passion is to connect people and nature. There are many factors preventing people from volunteering and exploring outdoors. It is my mission to change people's involvement in the outdoor. I am actively engaged in the Las Vegas community creating environmental stewards to protect our public land by maintaining and creating enjoyable, diverse, and inclusive experiences for people on trails. I am part of several organizations that are confronting the issues that my generation faces to provide individuals of all ages and backgrounds access to the outdoors. The connection that people are making keeps them motivated to spend more time in the outdoor and to keep it pristine.

If I am a selected as a recipient for the Hulet Hornbeck scholarship, this program will help me learn the best practices and trends in the field; to build a great foundation for a promising careers in conservation, restoration, preservation, and outdoor recreation. I will be pursuing a master's degree in Recreation, Park, and Land Management to further my education and experience with public trails. Thank you in advance for the consideration.