Madison Hinkle

My name is Madison Hinkle, and I was hired as a Community Advocate for MWA in April 2022.

This is my first position out of school, as I graduated from the West Virginia University College of Law in May 2022 with a concentration in energy and sustainable development law. I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Biology from West Virginia University in 2019.

I was born and raised in West Virginia and have always been a fierce lover of the outdoors. I grew up going to nature camps with my brother, hiking sections of the Appalachian Trail with my dad, and exploring the region’s state parks. While I always knew I loved the planet, it was during my undergraduate studies in biology that I realized I wanted to dedicate my career to environmental protection. My love of the planet has only increased since then. I spend my summers in my kayak, and every month of the year in the dense forests of the Appalachian region hiking with my dog. When I have the time, I also like to explore the country’s national parks, and I’ve been blessed to see 17 in the last three years.

Throughout law school, I was lucky to work for some great organizations including the Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and the WVU Land Use Clinic. In these positions, I gained a love for water law, energy law, and community interaction and engagement. When it came time to looking for a job for after graduation, I wanted to continue expanding my passions for these areas and MWA was a perfect fit. I always wanted to work for an environmental non-profit, and MWA is special because it engages in not only advocacy work but actual conservation work as well. They talk the talk and walk the walk.

As an individual from West Virginia, I’m familiar with the struggles associated with advocating for environmental change on behalf of personal and community health. That’s why I’m so excited to work in the position of Community Advocate. Industry is a powerful influence in any community, but the people within that community are an even more powerful force. I look forward to working with community members and empowering them with the knowledge and tools they need to better protect themselves and have their voices heard.