Meet Our 2026 Summer Interns: Eva & Finn

A look back at Eva and Finn exploring Yellowstone National Park circa 2015.

Summer is officially here in Park County and with it has come cleansing rains, a breath of inspiring energy, and the kickoff of Give A Hoot. Alongside that energy, we are thrilled to introduce our 2026 summer interns, Eva Lighthiser and Finn Harrison. 

Both of these incredible young leaders have grown up here, exploring our wild backyard and learning firsthand what makes this community so special. They represent the conservation leaders of today and the future. We feel very lucky to have them.

I sat down with them for a candid conversation about their roots, their inspirations, and what they hope to experience with PCEC this season.

Eva: Hi! My name is Eva Lighthiser and I’m currently going into my sophomore year at Colorado College. Despite going to school out of state now, I spent most of my childhood growing up here in Livingston and learning from everything this landscape has to offer. This summer I’m looking forward to working with PCEC and exploring more work within my hometown community.

Finn, tell our members a little about yourself!

Finn: Hi folks! I’m Finn, I just graduated from Park High and I’m headed to Hamilton College in upstate New York this fall. I love getting outside, all things academic, and petting my cat. I’ve participated in local theater for the last twelve years and hope to continue that hobby into the future.

Eva, what is it about growing up in Park County that helped cultivate your care for the environment?

Eva: Something that I’ve always loved about Park County is its ability to exist at the intersection of a strong community and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which is home to hosts of wildlife, dramatic landscapes and people. Growing up here has taught me just how important it is to advocate and protect our environment and its inhabitants (especially with the worsening impacts of climate change on this landscape). My childhood here inspired me to get involved in climate lawsuits as a youth plaintiff in cases such as Held v. Montana and Lighthiser v. Trump.

How about you, Finn? How did growing up in Park County influence you to get involved in environmental work? 

Finn: I was homeschooled until halfway through freshman year, and that meant that my family had a lot of time to get outside. Those formative years spent wandering about what is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful wild places left, as well as seeing the threats to that wild place, led me to find every way I can care for and protect our home. 

Eva: It really is such a special place to protect.

What are some goals you have during your time at PCEC this summer? 

Finn: One of the main aspects of PCEC that I love is the importance of community to the organization. That strength is multiplied by the community here in Park County who care deeply about everything. While I’m an intern I really want to meet community members and learn about the diverse perspectives and opinions that exist here.

What are you hoping to experience, Eva? 

Eva: I’m hoping my time here at PCEC will further my work in environmental advocacy by developing a better pulse on the community I live in. My time here will hopefully be spent learning and organizing more with local changemakers who are on the ground doing vital work within Park County and beyond.

Finn: Speaking of what makes this place so vital, it often ties back to specific places we love.

Eva: Definitely.

What is a meaningful outdoor memory for you that grounds your work?

Finn: Last summer my brother and I went backpacking up past Jardine. We ended up setting up camp near Fish Lake. It wasn’t a super long hike, but the trailhead is pretty far up there, so we didn’t see anyone until the hike out. It was quiet and beautiful, and after a year spent busy with school, work, and more school, it was a relief from the business and stress. It was a wondrous reminder of what life can be. Now there's a proposed logging project nearby that would introduce clearcutting and masticators to this pristine wild area. It’s moments and places like these that drove me to conservation opportunities and PCEC.

We are incredibly grateful to have Eva and Finn’s passion, energy, and local roots with us at PCEC this summer. When you see them out in the community, please join us in giving them a warm welcome. 

Eva and Finn, dynamic duo and our 2026 summer interns, out and about in Livingston.

To keep supporting young leaders like Eva and Finn, and to ensure we can protect the wild places they love, we need your help.

Every dollar you donate starting today directly empowers our community-led conservation work and maximizes our collective impact, thanks to the campaign's matching funds. Please consider making a gift today to help us protect Park County for current and future generations.