The Northern Forest Canoe Trail is pleased to introduce its 2026 interns. Our paid seasonal interns split up into two crews — a roving crew that covers projects across the Northeast, and a dedicated Allagash crew in Maine. These interns are a critical part of our stewardship team, assisting with project work, volunteer engagement and community relations. To learn more, contact NFCT Assistant Trail Director Nick Hall at .
Allagash Crew
McKenna Pierce, Bay Area, Calif.: A University of Southern California graduate with a degree in Business Administration, McKenna has lived and attended school in California, Arizona, Hawaii, and Florida. Before college, she spent four years in the United States Air Force working as a crew chief on F-22s. She was drawn to the internship because she connects with the organization’s values related to community, collaboration, and helping people feel connected to the outdoors. She has always wanted to work with a nonprofit and contribute to something bigger than herself, especially when it comes to giving back to Mother Nature. NFCT really speaks to her sense of adventure and her desire to immerse herself in nature, connect with the paddling community, and push her personal limits. She’s excited to steward the historic Allagash Wilderness Waterway. McKenna has volunteered with the National Park Service. Working on the flightline in the Air Force taught her a lot about hands-on work, teamwork, and resiliency. She’s been lucky to explore some incredible places, including camping and hiking in the Grand Canyon, Canada, the jungles of Costa Rica, and the Andes and Amazon in Peru. McKenna’s hobbies and past adventures include skydiving, mountain biking on Death Road in Bolivia, riding camels in the Sahara Desert, wrestling a former sumo wrestler in Japan, and going swimming with sharks and dolphins. She also loves CrossFit, solo traveling, reading fantasy fiction, playing sports, scrapbooking, baking (and eating) sweets, and getting tattoos. A random fun fact about her is that she’s done ayahuasca and has eaten alpaca, cricket tacos, and balut.
Brodie Bard, Pittsburgh, Pa.: Brodie is studying ecology at Susquehanna University Selinsgrove, Pa.. Originally from Pittsburgh, he spent his entire life in the city before changing scenery and moving to the country for school. He said that change was the best decision he could’ve made. Brodie took this internship because he wanted to do something fulfilling and meaningful with his summer. He’s excited to be challenged, meet new people, see some moose, and photograph adventures. His interests include biking, hiking, gardening, bird watching, kayaking, swimming, nature, and photography. He’s spent two summers working on a youth conservation crew building trails, clearing brush, and working outdoors and have always loved being outside. He’s camped and hiked in many places in the eastern U.S., spent a lot of time on the water at his grandparents’ house in Ohio. A fun fact about him is that he has an affinity towards beavers. He’s super excited to get to know everyone and have a great summer.
Grace Braze, Neenah, Wis.: A student at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Grace chose to pursue this internship because of her love of the outdoors. She can’t wait to get outside and be a steward of the trail this summer. She grew up loving the outdoors, and some of her recent trips include canoeing in the Sylvanian wilderness in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota. In the off season, you can find her crocheting, skiing, and playing hockey. A little fun fact about her is she grew up on a farm.
Roving Crew
Erin Dooley, Rexford, N.Y.: A rising senior at Clarkson University, Erin is excited to be working with the NFCT, getting outside and engaging meaningfully with so many different communities. She is super stoked to gain experience being a trail steward and to see so much of the beautiful Northeast. She has always loved the outdoors and learned to paddle and hike in the Adirondacks as a child. Since starting college, she has gained a lot of backcountry knowledge through various endeavors. She is Wilderness First Responder certified. Plus, she is the secretary for Clarkson’s Outing Club, which has helped her to gain a lot of valuable leadership experience. Some of her favorite ways to get outside are rock climbing (leading sport and bouldering), hiking, and backcountry skiing. Some other things she enjoys are writing and playing music. She is so happy to get the opportunity to work with NFCT this summer and can’t wait to see what’s in store!
Molly Laughton, Kansas City, Kan.: Currently a senior at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan., Molly is studying Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and Environmental Biology. She was drawn to the NFCT internship because of the connection to the land it provides, as well as the opportunity to work in the great outdoors and canoe all over the Northeast! She is excited to work with the communities the NFCT serves and hear about their connections to the Northeast. She is very excited to experience wildlife that may not be so common in Kansas. Being from the middle of the country, she hasn’t had much opportunity to explore the Northeast, and what better way to do that than through this internship! She has always loved spending time outdoors, whether that’s driving to Colorado to hike the Manitou Incline or going to a local lake to paddleboard. She is a part of the Wildlife Society Club and Carcass Club at KSU, which has given her many invaluable hands-on experiences. Her college career has provided her with wildlife and ecosystem knowledge, but she believes life experience is the best educator! A fun fact about her is that she worked in Alaska for a summer and came a little too close for comfort to a moose and her twin babies! It was a terrifying but awesome moment. She can’t wait for this summer to start and feel incredibly lucky to get such an amazing internship!
Sam Cockerham, Kingfield, Maine: A student at Bates College, Sam is majoring in biology and minoring in earth and climate science. He was drawn to the NFCT internship for the opportunity to be part of a community centered on conservation and canoeing, while spending a summer outdoors doing meaningful, hands-on work. Spending time in the woods and on the water has fostered his appreciation for natural spaces, and he wants others to be able to enjoy them the same way he has. At Bates, he’s the head paddle trip leader for the outing club. In this role, he’s developed leadership skills, built meaningful connections, and spent a considerable amount of time canoeing Maine’s waterways. Outside of school, he loves bluegrass music, hacky sack, and spending as much time in nature as possible. He’s really excited to be part of such a great crew this summer!
