Rachel Rosner’s path to conservation didn’t begin in a classroom it began outdoors, exploring the woods, waterways, and winter landscapes of New York’s North Country.
Raised between Carthage and Lake Placid, Rachel, grew up immersed in the natural world. From an early age, she and her brother spent their days roaming the land behind their home near Pleasant Lake, climbing steep embankments, searching for tadpoles and salamanders in muddy pools, and building elaborate snow forts during long winter days. These formative experiences instilled in her a deep appreciation for the land and a lasting connection to place.
Rachel’s academic journey took her from Carthage schools to Northwood School in Lake Placid, and later to the University of Virginia, where she pursued a degree in chemical engineering with a minor in engineering business. While her path in engineering evolved over time, the experience shaped how she approaches complex challenges teaching her to think critically, work collaboratively, and develop creative solutions.
“Above all, I realized I love finding ways to make processes safer and healthier—for people and for the environment,” Rachel says.
That realization ultimately guided her toward a new goal: a future in environmental law. Rachel plans to attend law school beginning in fall 2026, with the intention of studying environmental and land use law and returning to the North Country to build her career.
Her passion for protecting natural resources is rooted in both her upbringing and her academic experience. Through engineering, she saw firsthand how deeply our daily lives depend on land, water, and natural materials. Combined with her lifelong connection to the outdoors, this understanding fuels her commitment to conservation.
“Without land, fresh water, and natural resources, there would be no products, no communities—no way forward,” she explains. “That’s why it’s so important to protect what we have.”
Since joining Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust as a land protection intern, Rachel has gained a deeper appreciation for the work that goes into conserving land and the people behind it.
“One thing that has really stood out to me is how deeply everyone here cares about preserving our lands for future generations,” she says. “It’s inspiring to be part of a team that works so hard and connects with others to expand that appreciation.”
Through her experience, Rachel has also come to see that land conservation is about more than protecting acres, it’s about people.
“Land trusts create opportunities for connection,” she says. “They bring people together, strengthen communities, and help ensure that future generations can experience the same sense of place that shaped me.”
As development pressures grow and open spaces become increasingly limited, Rachel believes the work of land trusts is more important than ever.
“It’s imperative that we protect land now,” she says, “so that we continue to have green spaces in the future.”
Rachel is excited to be part of the Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust team and looks forward to contributing to its mission both now and in the years ahead.
“I’m so grateful for this experience,” she says. “I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together.”