Justin Young

Justin has spent the past decade growing RiverLink’s education programs and deepening community connections across the French Broad River watershed. They first joined RiverLink as an AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, serving for two years before stepping into a full-time role leading the organization’s education initiatives. Over the years, Justin has developed and delivered hands-on lessons, educational resources, and youth programs that have reached tens of thousands of students throughout Western North Carolina.

A North Carolina native, Justin was born and raised in Raleigh and studied Sustainable Development at Appalachian State University. Before joining RiverLink, they studied glacial retreat in the Peruvian Andes and served with the Maryland State Park Service. Justin holds a Nonprofit Management Certificate from Duke University, has served on boards for the Conservation Trust for North Carolina and Environmental Educators of NC, and currently serves on the City of Asheville’s Sustainability Advisory Committee.

With extensive experience in environmental education, equity and inclusion, and creative design, Justin is passionate about helping young people build lasting relationships with their local waterways. When not teaching or collaborating with partners, you can usually find them floating down a river, hiking a mountain trail, experimenting with art supplies, or enjoying a well-earned local beer.