Growing up in the mountains of western North Carolina, Abby Johnson developed an early bond with the natural world, a connection that ultimately guided her to the College of Natural Resources at NC State.

“I loved to play outside,” she said. “There’s a creek near my house, and my brother Matthew and I would have a butterfly net, searching for salamanders and crawdads. I live really close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, so hiking there a lot was another big part of my childhood.”

With support from the Carroll and Dawn Mann Wildlife Conservation Scholarship, Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology at NC State, gaining experiences and connections that launched her career in conservation.

“My college experience, and everything following it, has been and will forever be changed because of this generous scholarship.”

Johnson, who graduated from the College of Natural Resources in May 2025, now spends her time helping keep hikers safe at Linville Falls along the Blue Ridge Parkway, volunteering with the National Park Service on a preventative search and rescue team.

For Johnson, the Mann scholarship became a turning point in her academic and professional journey, offering the support, opportunities and confidence that continue to shape her work in conservation today.

“My college experience, and everything following it, has been and will forever be changed because of this generous scholarship,” Johnson said. “I hope to honor Dawn Mann, Dr. Carroll Mann III, and everyone else who came together to help me have this opportunity.”

Coming Home to NC State

Johnson’s journey to NC State began in high school when she received an email from the College of Natural Resources informing her that she had been selected for the Mann scholarship.

The scholarship, which covers tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies for students in the fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology program, gave her the opportunity to attend a university that no one in her family had gone to before.

After discussing it with her father, Johnson accepted the scholarship, gaining the confidence to follow a new path and a sense of legacy she hadn’t expected: “I felt like I already had a legacy at NC State because of Dr. Mann,” she recalled.

Throughout her time at NC State, Johnson benefited greatly from the Mann scholarship, which eased financial stress and allowed her to fully engage in the College of Natural Resources.

Johnson became an active member of student organizations such as the Leopold Wildlife Club, Ornithology Club and Herpetology Club, building meaningful connections with classmates and faculty.

“I remember my freshman year, I met Christopher Moorman at a Leopold Wildlife Club meeting, and when I told him I was the recipient of the Mann Scholarship, he immediately knew who I was,” Johnson said.

She added, “With staff like Jennifer Viets, I could always pop into her office and say ‘hi’ anytime I was in the building, so I felt like I started off early with a deep sense of community.”

Exploring Wildlife on a Deeper Level

Johnson’s experience in the College of Natural Resources was heavily shaped by Summer Camp, a six-week hands-on learning experience for forestry and fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology students.

From marine and mountain weeks to Piedmont ecology, Johnson and her classmates woke up before dawn every day to learn about trapping techniques, Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) technology and mist-netting for wildlife management.

These experiences not only enhanced Johnson’s resume but also shaped her future, with mist-netting becoming her favorite activity: “I really thought birds were cool before, but after summer camp, I definitely became more of a bird person,” she said.

Classes like vertebrate natural history and wildlife management deepened her passion, especially as she explored human–wildlife interactions and the complexities of conservation, while the program’s tight-knit community helped her thrive far from home.

The summer after her first year of college, Johnson returned home to work as a zookeeper for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation in Linville, North Carolina, where she applied the knowledge and skills she had learned in her classes and at Summer Camp.

During the internship, Johnson managed the health and care of several species of animals, including elk, cougars, bears, eagles, otters and frogs. She also cleaned natural habitats, memorized animal features and names and educated visitors about the history of the animals.

After Hurricane Helene swept through western North Carolina, Johnson experienced firsthand the support of the College of Natural Resources community, as classmates, faculty and staff checked in on her well-being and offered assistance.

During the storm’s immediate aftermath, Johnson went nearly three days without contact from her family, and the outreach from her peers and mentors provided a steady source of care and reassurance, making her feel deeply supported and connected to her college family.

When communication finally returned, Johnson learned that her family was safe and their house had only minor damage, a relief that made her appreciate even more the sense of belonging she had found in the college.

Looking to a Future in Wildlife Conservation

After graduating last spring, Johnson took a moment to breathe, a rare luxury made possible by completing college without financial debt, and she used that time to reflect on her experiences and plan her next steps.

Johnson has remained persistent in her pursuit of a career in wildlife conservation, applying broadly to opportunities in the field. In the meantime, she has been eagerly volunteering for the National Park Service, with the perk of not being far from home. 

At Linville Falls, Johnson wears many different hats. A key component of her role includes providing hikers with essential information, such as trail mileage, safety risks and closures. She also educates visitors on plants in the area and nearby wildlife.

“Sometimes it feels like I’m back in dendrology or Summer Camp, hearing ‘new plant!’ Most of the other volunteers are retirees who I would call naturalists,” Johnson said. “They love to listen to me ramble on about wildlife or plants, and I’ll catch myself explaining a topic in the same way that professors explained it to my class.”

In her spare time, Johnson enjoys being outdoors, whether fishing, hunting or hiking. She has also taken up wildlife photography, with her favorite subject being birds. After graduation, Johnson returned home and spends much of her time birding in the mountains.

Johnson’s advice to future students is simple: “Just do it. If you enjoy wildlife, you will enjoy the program at NC State. Go with the Pack.”