Amy Kapp

Amy Kapp is Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Director for the national nonprofit, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC). She focuses on telling the story of America’s trails and the transformative benefits they deliver to communities. Her lifelong passion for the outdoors was inspired by her grandmother, a biologist and teacher, whose respect for the natural world was ever-present during Amy’s childhood in Butler, Pennsylvania. She remembers endless field trips into nature and stories of her grandmother’s days as a lab partner and lifelong friend of environmentalist Rachel Carson.

Amy has nearly two decades of experience in journalism, print and digital content creation, and communications strategy, with a focus on environmental and cultural issues in the United States. She has served as a communications strategist and writer for a variety of outdoor and education-based nonprofits, including the National Recreation and Park Association, YouthBuild and 3 Rivers Connect. She has had a career concentration in outdoor journalism over the past decade, and past contributions can be found in national publications such as Parks & Recreation and American City & County magazines. 

Amy joined the RTC team in 2014, which has a focus on federal and state trail funding advocacy, the creation of trail networks throughout the country, and the development of the 3,700-mile Great American Rail-Trail. 

Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and theater from Baldwin-Wallace University, a master’s degree in economic and social development/environmental management from the University of Pittsburgh, and a master’s degree in communication from American University.

Amy enjoys the performing arts, traveling internationally, watching great soccer, and eating great food and running it off on trails near her home in Northern Virginia.