Our Stories
2026 Hike the Hill: Meet the Next Generation
Hike the Hill® is a joint effort between American Hiking Society and Partnership for the National Trails System to bring together the trails community to advance shared trail priorities with congressional and federal agency leaders, including: trails funding, public lands management and conservation, and reauthorizing the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund.
The North Country Trail Association attends annually and this year is no different. Multiple staff and board members, Advocacy Committee members, and Next Generation Coalition representatives will travel to Washington D.C. to advocate for the Association, the North Country Trail, the National Trails System as a whole, our nation’s public lands, and more.
Meet the Next Gen Team
Felicia Hokenstad, Minnesota
Felicia is an outdoor enthusiast and communications professional dedicated to expanding access to nature and supporting organizations grounded in equity, stewardship, and community. A longtime volunteer with the North Country Trail Association, she also spent time on its staff leading the Next Generation Coalition program. In that role, Felicia attended Hike the Hill in person alongside NCTA staff in 2023. She has previously served as a board member of the Marquette Area Chapter and as board president of the Border Route Trail Association, and she currently serves on the NCTA Advocacy Committee.
Jessica Bedtka, Wisconsin
Jess is a Field Coordinator with WisCorps, supporting conservation corps trail projects across the Midwest, including those in partnership with the North Country Trail Association. As a long-distance hiker and conservation professional, Jess has a deep personal connection to National Scenic Trails and the communities they connect. Her graduate research examined the economic impacts of trails on rural communities, and her experience in political ecology has taught her how to navigate diverse perspectives and find common ground in conservation conversations. Jess brings this combination of field expertise, research insights, and collaborative skills to advocate for accessible, sustainable trails for all.
“Over the past decade, my professional and personal life has revolved around trails: building them, guiding others on them, studying their impacts on communities, and advocating for equitable access to outdoor spaces. These formative experiences make me eager to re-engage in policy work on behalf of the landscapes and communities that have shaped my life. Representing the North Country Trail at Hike the Hill will allow me to apply my communication and collaboration skills while continuing to grow as an advocate for our National Scenic Trails. Ultimately, I want to be part of the conversations that shape the future of trails like the NCT – and Hike the Hill is the place where that happens.”
Gunnar Lundberg, Minnesota
Gunnar Lundberg is a writer and PhD student based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His writing has been published in outlets like The Rumpus, and he’s been featured in publications such as Outdoor Magazine. His research revolves around the intersection of ecology, 20th century literature, and the environmental humanities. In his free time he enjoys backpacking, canoeing, and practicing his loon call.
“Currently, I am a trail ambassador for the Superior Hiking Trail (a partner group of the NCTA). In this role, I help engage with and educate hikers I run into on the trail. I help educate and inform users of Leave No Trace practices and principles, and work toward preserving the trail for years to come. I’m hoping this opportunity allows me to make meaningful and lasting connections within the NCTA. My grandpa previously volunteered as the steward of a section of trail in Wisconsin, so I’m hoping in future years to follow in his footsteps to give back to a trail that has given me countless opportunities to hike, reflect, connect, and seek fellowship with the natural world.”
Learn more about NCTA advocacy efforts at northcountrytrail.org/advocacy.
