Next Generation of Conservation Leaders Selected for Shenandoah Valley Fellowship

A new group of college students is stepping into hands-on roles across the Shenandoah Valley this year, gaining real-world experience while helping protect the region’s land, water, and communities.

The 2026 Shenandoah Valley Conservation Fellowship has selected four students from James Madison University and Virginia Commonwealth University to work directly with leading conservation organizations throughout the region.

The program, a partnership between Shenandoah Valley Conservancy, Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley, and Potomac Conservancy, is designed to prepare future environmental leaders while addressing current conservation needs.

“The future of the Shenandoah Valley depends on strong conservation leadership and a skilled workforce prepared to meet the challenges ahead,” said Shenandoah Valley Conservancy Executive Director Peter Hujik.

Each fellow brings a unique background and focus to the program.

Emily Herrup (left) and Jade Shull have been selected as 2026 Shenandoah Valley Conservation Fellows, where they will work on hands-on land conservation and community engagement projects.

Jade Shull, a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, will serve as a community engagement fellow with the Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley. With a background in environmental studies, Shull aims to build stronger connections between people and the natural environment while expanding outreach efforts across the region.

Emily Herrup, a JMU student focusing on geography and environmental systems, will work with the Potomac Conservancy as a land conservation and fieldwork fellow. Herrup plans to build a career centered on sustainable land use and long-term environmental stewardship.

Lillian Naftel (left) and Sofia Rocchi, students at James Madison University, have been selected as 2026 Shenandoah Valley Conservation Fellows, where they will support outreach, environmental education, and stewardship across the region.

Lillian Naftel, a senior at James Madison University studying Earth and Environmental Science, will serve as a stakeholder outreach and engagement fellow with the Shenandoah Valley Conservancy. With a lifelong connection to the region, Naftel is focused on strengthening relationships between conservation groups and local communities while promoting environmental education.

Sofia Rocchi, also a JMU student, will work as a stewardship fellow with the Shenandoah Valley Conservancy. A biology major concentrating in ecology and environmental biology, Rocchi is committed to protecting the Valley’s landscapes through hands-on conservation work and field-based stewardship.

Together, the four fellows will take part in projects ranging from conservation easement stewardship and land protection to community outreach and education. The program runs from spring through fall 2026.

Organizers say the fellowship comes at a critical time. The Shenandoah Valley continues to face increasing pressure from development, population growth, and climate change, factors that make conservation efforts more urgent than ever.

The region’s farmland, forests, and waterways not only support local communities but also play a vital role in the broader ecosystem and economy.

Dr. Rob Alexander of James Madison University emphasized the importance of collaboration in building the conservation workforce.

“The Fellowship Program is a unique collaboration between conservation employers and our regional institutions of higher education,” he said, adding that partnerships like this help “strengthen and deepen our conservation workforce.”

By combining education with hands-on experience, the program gives students the opportunity to develop practical skills while contributing to meaningful work across the Valley.

For the fellows, it’s a chance to turn classroom knowledge into action, while helping ensure that the Shenandoah Valley remains protected for generations to come.