From trail to trust with Florencia Loncán ’23 (M.A.)

This podcast episode, produced by UNC Hussman alum Abigail Brewer ’14, ’19 (M.A.), was originally published at sustainable.unc.edu.

Fresh off an epic 2,200-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail, Florencia Loncán ’23 (M.A.) began applying for her first post-grad job in spring 2025. She landed at the Triangle Land Conservancy in a position she feels was made for her. In her role as a communications associate, she connects with local communities out in the field, while pursuing her passion for conservation communications.

Loncán is a double Tar Heel, having earned an undergraduate degree in environmental science and a master’s degree from the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media.

Conservation runs deep for Loncán. As a graduate student, she discovered her love for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where she spent a summer working for Discover Life America. When summer came to a close, she did not want to leave. Lucky for her, she found a way back the following spring, completing her master’s thesis project in the Park.

The sum of these experiences makes our conversation with Loncán a dynamic one. Sometimes it’s hard to believe she’s just a couple years out of graduate school.

Listen to the podcast or read a transcript at sustainable.unc.edu.