Olivia Porter

National Parks Conservation Association

I was raised in North Carolina and received my undergraduate degree at UNC-Chapel Hill. I spent two years as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Uganda, and this experience led me to pursue both a graduate degree and a JD. I spent a decade working in Louisiana, where I had the honor of supporting communities along the Gulf Coast facing rapid land loss due to rising sea levels. Much of my work was focused on working in coalition to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into efforts to restore the coast and protect nationally significant wetlands. In my current role with NPCA leading the emerging Southern Appalachian Landscape Coalition, my work is focused on protecting and uplifting the unparalleled biodiversity, mountain communities, and unique stories of the Southern Appalachian region. My work is anchored by Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the Blue Ridge Parkway, three national forests, many wilderness areas, and several wild and scenic rivers.