Student puts a passion for environmental stewardship into practice
An early love for the outdoors led Leila Christopher to a hands-on internship with the National Parks Conservation Association.
Leila Christopher at her internship at the National Parks Conservation Association. Photo courtesy of Christopher.
Growing up hiking Shenandoah National Park with her family, Leila Christopher developed a love for the outdoors that shaped both her personal values and her academic path.
This summer, the rising senior in Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment brought that passion to the National Parks Conservation Association, where she interned in strategic communications.
Christopher, from Northern Virginia, contributed to projects that supported the organization’s mission of protecting and advocating for national parks.
She wrote articles, created graphics, and developed social media campaigns designed to connect more people, especially younger audiences, with public lands. She also helped craft engagement emails that reached more than 600,000 supporters.
A highlight during her internship was the “Imagine America Without…” campaign, which encouraged people to become involved with the national parks. Christopher wrote several short features for the project that were published on NPCA’s website.
“It was exciting to see my work out there,” said Christopher, who is studying in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation.
The internship helped her develop new skills.
“At first I was intimidated, but with feedback from my supervisor and team, I learned how to take something complicated and make it engaging without losing its importance,” Christopher said.
Christopher during a hike in Shenandoah National Park. Photo courtesy of Christopher.
Her Virginia Tech coursework prepared her well for the experience. An Environmental Law course gave her grounding in the policies and regulations that guide conservation, while a Sustainable Biomaterials class with Professor Tom Hammett provided valuable project-based experience.
“Having professors who knew my interests and supported me, including writing references, was something I was really grateful for,” she said.
Christopher said the internship reinforced her interest in a career in sustainability and environmental consulting. She hopes to work in a role that blends policy knowledge, strategic communication, and public engagement.
“This experience showed me I want to be in a role that connects people with environmental stewardship while also making a tangible impact,” she said.
Her passion for conservation still connects back to her early hikes in Shenandoah, from standing on the rocky summit of Old Rag to watching waterfalls in White Oak Canyon.
“Those experiences grounded me in why this work matters,” Christopher said. “Everyone should have the opportunity to access and enjoy these places. That’s what drives me.”
