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Student Conservation Association and American Eagle Outfitters will engage 120 students from colleges across the country in meaningful hands-on conservation service at two of our most environmentally challenged national parks: Everglades National Park and Joshua Tree National Park. To learn more about participating in the 2012 Alternative Spring Break from SCA and American Eagle Outfitters, visit SCA’s Alternative Spring Break webpage and read Lauren's account below.

Written by Lauren Freedman Whittlesey, SCA '10.

Two years after my Alternative Spring Break trip with SCA and American Eagle Outfitters, I still can't shut up about it. I was at the end of my first year of graduate school in Manhattan. I got most of my exercise running down the block for the bus or hastily jogging up nine flights of stairs when the elevator at school was broken. I was afraid I might forget what stars looked like. When I was offered a spot on SCA's Alternative Spring Break crew at the Grand Canyon, I immediately accepted and then remembered I didn't even have a sleeping bag.

Luckily, I was able to borrowed a sleeping bag and rounded up the warmest gear I could find. I spent the coldest nights of my life huddled around a campfire with 30 new friends and sleeping in my heaviest coat, hat, and gloves. With snow on the tent and frozen noses, coffee has never tasted so good.

The cold was immediately forgotten when we began work in the mornings. We spent our first days salvaging native plants in areas of the park that were slated for construction projects. These salvaged plants would spend the next year in the park's nursery, readying for another crew to replant them the following spring. Our fledgling crew salvaged, potted, and transported over 1300 native plants in just two days! It was so satisfying to see the fruits of our labor lined up in neat rows filling the nursery and knowing we were making a difference at one of the world's greatest natural wonders.

After a few days of salvaging, we completed the cycle by planting native plants that had been salvaged by the previous year's ASB crew. Those plants will still be decorating the landscape at the Grand Canyon visitor's center when my own children are old enough to work on an ASB crew.

When we weren't busy getting our hands dirty, my crew and I spent time learning about the history of the canyon, visiting the National Park Service's private museum of Grand Canyon artifacts (with a tour from the curator, an SCA alumna), hiking, and enjoying the breathtaking views. We also took in a few ranger talks and went for a moonlit hike along the South Rim one evening.

Sounds like a lot in just five days? It was! I'm still amazed that we could cram so much work and so much fun into just one week. When I got home, I was completely exhausted, and thrilled to sleep in a warm, soft bed again. But at the same time, I couldn't stop telling my friends and family how about the satisfaction and exhilaration ofsatisfying and exhilarating my spring break was.

I know I'll still be bragging about my awesome crew for at least another two years. As this year's ASB crews head to the Everglades and Joshua Tree National Park in just a couple months, I'm a little envious but mostly excited. They have big boots to fill, and I can't wait to hear what they come back bragging about.

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Looking for a different type of spring break trip this year? Learn more about participating in the 2012 Alternative Spring Break from SCA and American Eagle Outfitters at SCA’s Alternative Spring Break page, deadline to apply is  Feb. 10th!

Photo credit: Evan Kutzler from SCA's I heart Snow photo contest 2011

And the winner of the Jan 2012 Caption Contest is...Jayelle Cumberledge with...

NO! NO! Please don’t scream, you’ll cause an avalan--

Other top contenders included:

• Our hero discovers that badgers sleeping under the snow can be a bit moody.
• They said I would be measuring moisture content, not become a part of it!
• Head tartar; dinner is served.
• Ya gotta tell a guy before you put the outhouse over a new hole!
• I gotta pee!
• I have an itch on my nose!

Jayelle won cool SCA gear like a travel mug or water bottle. If you want to add cool SCA gear to your collection, make sure you "like"  SCA's Facebook page to get our updates and feeds.

Here's what the photographer, Evan, had to say when he submitted his photo:
"It's sort of like getting burried in the sand, only colder. The person in the picture is standing up. I'll leave it up to you to figure out how the scenario was created."

So, this is our next question: How do you think the scenario was created?

Dr. Martin Luther King said "all labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance." SCA members, alumni, staff and volunteers stayed true to that message on MLK Day. On Monday, January 16th hundreds of SCA members and volunteers across the country got together to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr day through acts of service.

MLK events were held in DC, Philly, Houston, the Bay area, Manchester, NH and many other locations. Check out videos and photos from SCA's.

An SCA Philly crew leader on MLK day in Valley Forge, Pa.

From training sled dogs in Denali to taking moonlit walks on the beach with baby sea turtles, these are our Top Ten Awesome Internships of 2012. So spend a minute or two day dreaming – and then send in your application, ‘cause these positions won’t stay open for long…

10. As a Desert Tortoise Ecology Research Intern, you will work on research projects investigating desert tortoise ecology, physiology, and disease dynamics with scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey. You’ll be completing field work in the unique ecosystem of the Mojave Desert. Need more adventure in your life? You’ll also have training opportunities in venomous snake identification and desert survival skills.

9. Spend the summer on beautiful Fire Island National Seashore, a 32-mile-long barrier island off the south shore of Long Island, New York. The Wildlife Management Intern on Fire Island will protect the endangered shorebirds that nest on the island’s beaches. With many aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals that rely on the island as their habitat, you’ll be safeguarding an important ecosystem and educating the public about the endangered species on their local beaches.

8. The Sled Dog Kennels Intern at Denali National Park will assist in the care of 30 Alaskan Husky sled dogs, including feeding, cleaning, grooming, and training adults and puppies and monitoring their general health. Want to gain marketable skills while you’re playing with puppies in Alaska? You will also present sled dog demonstrations, educate visitors about the history of dogs in the park and what it means to be a sled dog, collect National Weather Service data, and maintain equipment and grounds.

Photo credit: NPS Denali National Park. http://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/kennels-gallery.htm

7. Wanted: Adventurous teacher who values new cultural experiences to teach environmental education programs to Inupiaq Eskimo Children in Western Arctic National Parklands, Alaska. As an Environmental Education Intern, you will create craft and story programs for Junior Ranger classes about the natural and cultural history of the park. Yearning for your days as a camp counselor? You’ll also participate in a camp for native children in remote areas.

6. Grab a cup of coffee and your favorite abacus and apply to be an Amphibian Monitor Intern at Cape Cod National Seashore. You will monitor amphibians through egg mass counts and night-time call counts in various habitats throughout the park. You will also gain experience in a variety of resource management activities, like natural resource inventories and monitoring, providing field support to scientists, and assisting with the trials and implementation of new monitoring protocols.

5. Are you a Civil War buff with a talent for graphic design? As a Media Intern at Manassas National Bicentennial Park you will work on projects related to the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War. Get ready to sharpen your skills in social media, online communications, writing, graphic design, research and photography as you help the National Park Service educate the general public about the history of the Civil War. You’ll have access to primary historical resources to help you on your quest, and you’ll get to participate in special events too.

4. Do you live in the Virgin Islands? And are you interested in working with sea turtles? Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge is looking for some local conservationists to work as Outreach/Education and Biological Interns. You will work on nighttime sea turtle monitoring, and nighttime youth and community education programs to learn about nesting sea turtles. You might also conduct hourly foot patrols of the 4.6 km refuge beach area and learn about nest management.

Don’t live in the Virgin Islands? We don’t either. But you can search for local internships near you and make a difference in your community this year!

3. A love of food and sustainability is a must for the ARAMARK Sustainability Education and Awareness Intern at Johns Hopkins University. You will work with campus dining to develop eco-friendly dining solutions and promote more sustainable food choices. You’ll get on-the-job training as well as a training and orientation at ARAMARK headquarters.

2. Another ARAMARK internship that you’ll love is the Energy and Water Conservation Internship at University of Philadelphia’s Steinberg Conference Center. You’ll research and analyze the impact of current energy and water conservation programs while engaging and educating the campus community to conserve resources. You’ll get real-world experience working in the corporate world and learning to integrate environmental sustainability into business operations.

1. Always wanted to live in Yosemite National Park? Considering a career with the National Park Service? You could be the Little Yosemite Valley Backcountry Ranger Intern. You’ll assist Rangers with day to day operations in Little Yosemite Valley. You’ll be on the ground working to prevent Search and Rescue incidents through visitor education, protecting the public, and protecting park resources. If you’re ready to spend your days hiking, responding to emergency incidents, and monitoring wildlife, you’ve come to the right place.

Feeling inspired? You can find even more awesome internships on SCA’s website. We’re adding new positions every day, so check back often!

If you’re one of the thousands of youth looking for a summer job, you may be in luck.

At the recent White House Summer Jobs Summit, President Obama called on businesses, nonprofits and government to join in creating nearly 180,000 youth summer employment opportunities including jobs, internships and career training positions.

SCA President Dale Penny was at the White House, the only invited rep from a national conservation organization, and he reported that Assistant Secretary of the Interior David Hayes noted “The Department of the Interior provided over 12,500 jobs and internships for young people on America’s public lands last summer and we are proud to work with the Student Conservation Association in these programs.”

SCA accounted for up to a quarter of those DOI positions, and we anticipate even more service opportunities will be available this summer. Of course, the competition to fill them will grow as well. As one State University of New York student told summit attendees during a panel discussion: “We don’t want your pity or a hand-out. We only need a chance.”

Here’s an overview of the youth employment opportunities that will be offered through the Summer Jobs + Initiative:

• Learn and Earn: Provide jobs for the summer of 2012 in the form of paid internships and/or permanent positions that provide on-the-job training. Of the roughly 180,000 job commitments announced more than 70,000 are Learn and Earn commitments.
• Life Skills: Provide work-related soft skills, such as communication, time management and teamwork, through coursework and/or experience.This includes resume writing or interview workshops and mentorship programs.
• Work Skills: Provide insight into the world of work to prepare for employment. This includes job shadow days and internships.More information about this initiative can be found at http://www.dol.gov/summerjobs/.

Click here to review and apply for SCA summer internships and crews or learn more about the White House Summer Jobs+ Initiative.

In early March the White House is planning to launch a one-stop search tool for youth to access the postings from any participating employers. Be on the look out for the Summer Jobs+ Bank.

If you are an undergraduate or graduate minority student and you’re looking for an exciting career opportunity, then look no further than the National Park Service Academy.

The Academy is a joint program between SCA and the National Park Service designed to introduce diverse students from across the country to career opportunities with the National Parks. Its goal is to build a 21st Century workforce for America's national parks: highly motivated, contemporarily skilled, and ethnically diverse.

Check out this video from last year’s NPS Academy orientation at Grand Teton National park and see how excited students became about new career opportunities in the great outdoors.

To achieve the NPS Academy goals, the program has three phases.

Phase 1: Academy Launch and Orientation, Spring Break 2012. Students begin their journey into the US National Park Service with a week-long, insider's view into how our natural lands are managed. This year’s orientation locations include Grand Teton National Park, during the week of March 5th, and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, during the week of March 12th.

Phase 2: Summer Internship, Summer 2012. Students will gain hands-on conservation experience by serving in a 12-week paid summer internship focusing on issues ranging from environmental education, resource conservation, volunteer coordination, trail maintenance, research, and others.

Phase 3: Outreach, Fall 2012. Finally, participants serve as Academy Ambassadors by reaching out to fellow students on their campuses about their experience.

For more information on the NPS Academy or to apply, check out the Academy webpage. Through SCA, you can be a part of the next generation of National Park Service employees.

The best ideas are often inspired by nature. Mine came to me while I served as an SCA intern at Yosemite. Watch a video that shares my story of conservation and leadership.

SCA enabled me to understand the connection between myself and my impact on the land. And I gained the skills and confidence I needed to not only change my behaviors but help others change theirs. Please help give the same opportunity to other young people by making a gift to SCA at www.thesca.org/empower.

- Jeff Chen, '06 Yosemite

Show your support! - www.thesca.org/empower

The season of giving is upon us and, with it, the opportunity to celebrate all those who give of themselves to preserve and extend our rich natural and cultural heritage. This, of course, includes the young women and men of SCA, the generous patrons who support them, and the resource managers who guide them. It also includes countless park professionals, environmental educators, local volunteers and, I am certain, you.

As this is also the season of hope, it is heartening to see such tremendous growth and activity in the conservation community and SCA is committed to extending this trend. We are providing more experiential education opportunities for members in the field and building new alliances to broaden the network of organizations, government agencies, corporations, and individuals working to address today’s increasingly complex conservation needs.

It is imperative that we all work together. We must support a new generation of emerging leaders who are entering a daunting economy and job market. We must expand opportunities for citizen stewards to help protect our public lands. And we must spur greater sustainability among people in all walks of life to ensure our quality of life advances far into the future.

Thank you for everything you have done for SCA and our planet over the past year. All of us at SCA wish you a safe and joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year.

Sincerely,

Dale Penny
President

As 2011 comes to a close, we’re looking back at the top stories that caught your attention this year. They range from tagging alligators in the Bayou to confessions of a park ranger on the Washington mall!

But regardless of location, one thing all the stories have in common is the passion our SCA members have for protecting and preserving the land and our national treasures. Most importantly, they are a sign of hope for the future of conservation. SCA is proud to have these stories reflect the impact our members and alumni made in 2011.

Follw Me: Fear and Tagging in the Bayou
by Kayla Morain, ’11
Alligator tagging; these two words contain a mix of emotions as they ring in my ear. Fear, excitement, anxiety, insane, crazy... I had never even seen an alligator until this summer, and now I have the opportunity to catch them in their own territory!? Crazy... more »




Park Ranger on the Mall
Written by Molly McCluskey,
As a national park ranger on the Mall, SCA alumna Molly McCluskey had to make sure tourists came home with good stories. Molly’s story was recently published in The Washingtonian. more »




Healing the Earth...and Me
by Darren Gruetze
For the past four years I have worked to restore the desert. I keep coming back to the desert and SCA because of the phenomenal work we do in an often misunderstood ecosystem; and because of the strong community that this work engenders. more »

An Unlikely Journey
by Sandra Deacon, SCA Web Team
“Camping? You’re kidding! Trail building? It looks like labor and I would never wear one of those hard hats.” These were the initial reactions by Danny Nguyen to an SCA recruiting presentation at school. But after joining SCA, Danny “unexpectedly fell in love with nature and the outdoors.” more »

Written by Leah Duran, SCA ’09, ’10 alum, and sent to SCA in early 2011. Leah was a 2010 Follow Me blogger and a recent addition to the SCA alumni council.



Dear SCA,

Thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to work in beautiful places with amazing people. Thank you for the chance to learn about and practice creating community and taking care of the earth. Thank you for the best 10 months of my life at SCA Massachusetts. Thank you for opening new worlds of possibility, including new relationships and career paths.

I recently accepted a GS-4 permanent park guide position at Lassen Volcanic National Park in California. It would not have been possible without the continued support of so many people in the organization over my past two years of service.

I intend to be a lifelong supporter of the SCA, by donating, promoting the SCA, and by living a life true to the vision of caring for the land and each other. Thank you for everything. You’ve made a huge positive difference in my life.

With gratitude,
Leah Duran

SCA has been a proud partner of AmeriCorps since the latter was founded in 1993. Each year, thousands of SCA members serve America’s public lands in collaboration with AmeriCorps. These young people make crucial contributions in protecting and preserving natural, cultural and historic sites across the country, and their service strengthens parks and communities, builds experience, and generates jobs.

Congress is considering a bill that would eliminate funding for national service programs like AmeriCorps. Please share this powerful video about the importance of national service programs like AmeriCorps. Help save AmeriCorps by spreading the word. Tell Congress to grow, not gut, national service opportunities for young Americans.

Written by guest blogger Monica Patel '11. Monica is a two-time SCA intern who's worked on developing wilderness stewardship plans in four different US parks and refuges. Monica's story was first featured in the Fall 2011 Green Way newsletter.

As 2011 comes to end, I look back at a year of travel, challenges and learning opportunities in wilderness stewardship. After I finished my first fellowship at Buffalo National River in Arkansas early this year, I headed eastward settling back into my New Jersey roots, but not for long. Another opportunity with SCA quickly knocked on my door. This time I would be working with U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USFWS), as one of the nine Wilderness Fellows in another wilderness stewardship program.

My first experience as an SCA intern was with the National Park Service. It provided extensive background in wilderness stewardship and an understanding of how a federal agency operates. I was tasked with developing a wilderness stewardship plan for the Buffalo National River. The challenge this time around would be completing a similar task at three National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) within the same six-month time frame. Challenge accepted!

Each wilderness area is unique in its own right but two of the wilderness areas I was stationed at are nestled within the most heavily developed state of New Jersey. I started my summer at Great Swamp NWR in New Jersey. Summer turned into fall as I explored the enchanting lush balsam fir forest of Moosehorn NWR in Maine, as the sunrays peeked through the dense canopy, illuminating life on the forest floor. And just as the brilliant fall colors peaked in the eastern-most corner of the U.S., I headed to the southern reaches of New Jersey to E.B. Forsythe NWR, where I am currently finishing up my fellowship.

Just as in Buffalo National River, the staff was keen on providing new learning opportunities, such as mourning dove banding, wilderness trail maintenance, and shoreline surveys. As I worked at each of these refuges, I refined the skills I acquired during my time in Arkansas to successfully produce a monitoring strategy that will guide wilderness stewardship at each refuge. The issues vary from a 36,000 acre-park to refuges a fraction of that size; from an area in rural Arkansas to an area enclosed by a sea of development. But I was still able to build upon my communication skills and diverse experiences to effectively tackle wilderness issues at each of the refuges.

This entire year, I've been able to build of previously acquired knowledge to to successfully accomplish present challenges. This reminds me of a recent hikeI was ready to embark on, when a concerned Refuge Manager inquired whether I knew how to use a map and compass. I cracked a smile as I recalled my first wilderness hike at Buffalo National River. When I was lost, exhausted and afraid, I learned how to use a map and compass. I gave a firm "yes" and knew the experiences I've gathered will continue to bolster my future pursuits.

So it has been 2,461 miles since I left Arkansas, and my journey with SCA and land stewardship continues. And I realize that 2011 has been an amazing year for not only covering distances but gaining concrete conservation skills and giving what I can to help steward our nation's wilderness areas.

Jeff Chen, SCA alumni council co-chair, was featured on NBC Nightly News last week for helping America clean up its act.

Jeff co-founded Pick Up America after an idea he got during his SCA internship at Yosemite. As an intern, Jeff was hiking up Half Dome when he saw litter on the trail. Jeff realized that if there was litter on the trails of Yosemite, then the rest of America’s roads must be in even worse condition.

Jeff and his friends decided to do something about it. They began Pick Up America, a three-year zero waste education project. They are walking across America picking up trash and educating people on the connection between consumption and conservation. Jeff and his friends strongly believe that we are all responsible for the health and destruction of our planet. As you can see from the video, they are putting their words into action.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

SCA is thrilled to announce the following winners for our 2011 Got Dirt? Photo Contest. These photos inspired us in one way or another to get out and enjoy nature. Thank you to the more than 6,000 entries we received.

Grand Prize winner: Denis Dessoliers, "Morning"

It was sprinkling when I was driving up to Clear Lake, Colorado. I was concentrating on the road ahead because the terrain was very rough, steep and narrow, just enough for one vehicle. As I was looking back through my rear mirror, to my surprise, a rainbow appears on the other mountain of Silverton, Colorado. I just couldn't let this opportunity pass by so I immediately stopped the car and took this shot.


2nd Place Winner: Don Holland, "Eagle Aerobatics"

The male bald eagle left its perch high in the nest tree, a loblolly pine. In order to enter the nest, it was necessary to re-enter the tree since the branches prevented it dropping down. The bird's athleticism allowed it to make a tight turn into the nest. The nest is the only eagle nest on Shiloh National Military Park grounds.


3rd Place Winner: Jill Klasen, "Sunset Sillies"




Honorable Mentions:

Aleska Petersons, Puddle Jumping

This picture was taken at a park in Lake Zurich, Il. I was shooting my friend and her two kids. I told her 3 year old to just go have fun in the mud. This picture captures how fun puddles in the park can be.

Kimberley Martin, "Confidential Commune"

I photographed myself in the wild mustard flowers that were over taking the hill behind a local park. The flowers and I were having a deep and private discussion.
Huntington Beach, California.

Eden Hassett, "Three-sixty"

To scroll through all the photo entries, visit the photo contest website.

Via US Fish and Wildlife Services.

Shelby Lin is a student at Harvard University studying Applied Mathematics with a focus in Environmental Economics. At school she is involved in EnviroEd, a volunteer-run environmental education program, and the Harvard-Radcliffe Women’s Rugby Club. As a Visitor Services Intern at the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex, she ran field trips and summer nature classes, managed the visitor center, and had the opportunity to learn about the development of interpretive and educational programs.

Shelby hails from the north shore of Long Island, New York, and developed an appreciation for the outdoors through sports and dabbling in forestry and ornithology. She is interested in the way in which societies impact and relate to the environment, and hopes that her SCA internship will provide hands-on experience in conservation and an understanding of new perspectives on environmentalism. She plans on one day working in Latin America on the relationship between economic development and conservation. She knows that whatever her eventual career path, the experiences from her summer with SCA and USFWS will be important in developing her understanding of herself and the world around her.

Written by Jill Baum and Jennifer Swann, SCA Conservation Corps programs.

As Veterans Day approaches and the nation honors the brave men and women from the past and present who have served in the armed forces, it is fitting that we highlight one of SCA’s newest initiatives—the Veterans Green Corps (VGC). 

The ultimate goal of the VGC is to enable former members of the armed services to transition into civilian life by providing job training, personal development, and conservation service opportunities in natural resource and wildland fuels management.

There are currently two SCA VGC teams in Prescott and Springerville, Arizona.  These teams have been in the field since the last week of August and will be wrapping up their service in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends. 

The teams have been working with U.S. Forest Service wildland fire crews to reduce hazardous fuels in and around urban areas.  Their training included Wildland Fire Fighting, Wilderness First Aid, chainsaw operation, conservation ethics, environmental education, group dynamics, and conflict resolution.  Additionally, the veterans on these teams have enhanced their ability to pursue future employment with the U.S. Forest Service by becoming familiar with U.S. Forest Service history, operations, and hiring procedures – not to mention gaining valuable hands-on experience.

The VGC members on these teams represent a diverse cross section of today’s veterans.  The Corps Members range in age from 22 to 36, come from  all branches of the Armed Services, have attained ranks from Private First Class to First Lieutenant, and have worked in various positions ranging from Combat Infantryman to Submarine and Nuclear Propulsion Technicians. 

These men and women who make up the VGC made the decision to continue their service to their country by exchanging rifles and fatigues for chainsaws and Nomex.  Their experience has been carefully guided by our dedicated staff members Jennifer Swann (and Jill Kolodzne before her), Brian Doughty and Mike Stefancic – with a whole lot of help from others, particularly on the recruiting front. 

Please join SCA in extending our appreciation to all veterans as we observe Veterans Day on Friday, November 11. Thank you to all the Veterans and the service they provide to our nation.

Follow the Prescott National Forest Veteran's Corps and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Veteran's Corps through their adventures with SCA.

Written by April Hamblin, SCA '11 Yellowstone National Park, as part of the National Park Service Academy. The NPS Academy is a partnership between SCA and NPS designed to build a 21st century workforce for America's national parks: highly motivated, contemporarily skilled, and ethnically diverse.


Me, GIS and maps at Yellowstone.

Opportunities are spoken of often, yet one must pursue these opportunities to even have a chance. SCA and the National Park Service (NPS) are organizations that help people take hold of opportunities.  These organizations worked together to make my summer at Yellowstone National Park unforgettable. 

My work over the summer was mainly for NPS as a Biological (Entomology) and GIS Intern. This basically meant that I would be working with the pollinator survey as well as various projects involving GIS and maps. I came to Yellowstone with this idea in mind, hoping that I could learn quickly and gain hands-on experience with GIS systems and mapping.


First day of work. The view outside my window.

Most days I usually wondered what the day had in store for me because while the GIS workers had a set schedule of hours, most of us did not have set daily activities. For the first three weeks, when my background check was not cleared to use government computers, my days were spent traveling around Yellowstone collecting GPS points of interpretational signs and recycling areas throughout the park as well as filing bee related paperwork. I learned how to use GPS units and the software associated with each. I was also trained in general Yellowstone protocol such as how to use bear spray, how to react to approaching animals and other safety regulations, and how to use a radio.

Once I received clearance and was able to use a government computer, I began taking GIS training courses online, was able to help others with their projects on the computer, and started working more with my own projects. The two main projects that the GIS department laid in my hands were the pollinator survey and the grave survey.


My day putting out bee bowls for the pollinator survey. Am I really getting paid to be here?

The pollinator survey is a bee survey conducted by a scientist named Sam Droege and occurred in about 60 other national parks as well as Yellowstone. It was very exciting and humbling to work on this project. All of the bees I collected will forever have my name associated with them. I feel honored and appreciated.  This pollinator survey was my deciding factor in accepting this internship and was my favorite part of working at Yellowstone.

I have to admit, when I was first given the grave survey, I thought that it would be upsetting. While it got a bit gloomy when an entire day was spent at a graveyard, it was also very interesting. Graves hold culture and history, emotions and lives. I did not appreciate their art before starting this work.

Working at Yellowstone really opened my eyes to career options. Yellowstone will always be a special place for me.

All of the work that I completed for the NPS and SCA has let me grow mentally and personally, literally altering parts of my life with this experience. I was able to work with the NPS and the SCA in the first national park, Yellowstone.

While this is just a story of my experience, there is a much larger picture here. The NPS and SCA are two organizations that focus on conserving nature for the future. With the interns, volunteers, employees, and support, the NPS and SCA are able to do this and more; they are able to motivate the current population with their leadership to take action and become environmentally friendly. Not only will the national parks be conserved, but the entire natural world could be conserved for the future generations.

View pictures from the NPS Academy Alternative Spring Break session in March at Grant Teton National Park.

Written by guest blogger Micah Berman, '11 SCA National Crew, while in Alaska. Micah was a high school graduating Senior from New Hampshire during this trip. He is currently a Freshman at the University of Vermont.

As I'm sitting here next to this peaceful lake, way up in the back country of Alaska, I realize that I am at home. My entire life, I've considered one place home: where my family , my pets, and friends are, where my parents cook dinner and my sister makes me laugh, the woods of New Hampshire. I've grown up in a great life, one I never hesitate to come back to. Where I've adapted the backcountry skills of a true New Hampshire-ite, made lifelong friends, and everything else I could ask for.

Before this trip I never had a reason to expand my home. I didn't think I could fit more space into it. Yet, after spending 30 amazing days with 7 other great people, I came to a realization. Yes, where I've grown up is where I will always go back to, to rebirth old memories of times forgotten. It will be where I harbor some of my experiences most dear to me. However, that's my physical home. The home I discovered here in Alaska, and the one I will carry with me to college and beyond belongs in my heart. And, it is constantly expanding, accepting new people, experiences and ideas that will continue to redefine my life.

I realized this after hearing the simple barking of a squirrel. It reminded me of my dogs barking at home to be let in, then out, to have food, etc. As I heard this I began to realize that the amazing friends I made here were also my brothers and sisters. Not metaphorically, but for real. My leaders acted as my parents always looking out for me and making sure I accepted and took on serious responsibilities. We cooked, cleaned, laughed, slept, and did everything normal I would at my own home. This realization helped make me stronger. I realized I could never really be homesick or feel alone because everyone I meet can change my life and I can carry their teachings and love with me.

The friends I made here may never have been ones I would have made in "real life." I love them all, yet all our different tastes and preferences may not have permitted us to be friends in the "real" or "normal" world. I find that sad - that the norms of society can determine our friendships- but at the same time I can learn from this. I've learned that I need to expand my horizons and be more open to people and ideas; you never know which seemingly insignificant experience may change your life.

The wildlife I've seen here, the wise experiences I've learned from building perfect trails and finishing jobs is something amazing I will take with me. And, I couldn't have done this without SCA and its supporters. The opportunity SCA provided me with is impossible to express in words and I can't thank you enough. The lessons I've learned and friends I've made is all I could ask for, and I owe it to SCA and to all the people who make SCA possible. Thank you so much.

Written by guest blogger Dan Perez (MA Parks '07, Acadia and Golden Gate '08 and ID AmeriCorps '11) and adapted from a speech he gave at the SCA Idaho AmeriCorps Recognition Ceremony in Oct 2011.



It wasn’t all that long ago that a rag-tag caravan of fourteen cars pulled into this very parking lot, almost six hours after an early morning departure from Boise.  The license plates (and airline ticket stubs) said it all: East Coast, West Coast, Midwest and Rockies – in other words, a fairly mixed group of individuals from around the country.

I can’t speak for everyone with regard to their unique situations that led to their joining this fifteen-member crew, but it would be a safe bet that their primary reasons fell under the categories of personal growth and professional experience.

Becoming a member of SCA Idaho AmeriCorps is by no means the only way to pursue these goals.  We could have gotten jobs, in spite of the economy, for better pay and without having to uproot our current lives, and not resulting in friends and family expressing mock concern at our spending six months in Idaho "growing potatoes."  So the question that remains is, “Why?”

Having pondered this question myself before I got accepted into this program, I can offer some answers of my own:

• I could go on about how SCA has been around for over fifty years, or cite statistics from their website, but ultimately it’s the conservation work and shared experiences with fellow outdoor enthusiasts that keeps drawing me back. Today marks the end of my third season with the SCA, during which I’ve built a 75’ rock and timber turnpike, bushwhacked through the forest looking for abandoned roads, gone backpacking in the Bighorn Crags, and rafted down several miles of the Salmon River with you all whom I’ve gotten to know so well during our time together.

• Moving to a remote location such as Moyer was quite a lifestyle change from living in Boston, but I was prepared to embrace it, forgoing some modern conveniences for what is, hands down, the most amazing backyard I’ve ever had the pleasure of enjoying during my time on and off work. From the wide variety of landscapes to our shy four-legged neighbors here in the Salmon-Challis, I’ve constantly been reminded that there is more to Idaho than potatoes.

• Having signed onto this AmeriCorps position, I made a promise to get things done for America by serving the lands and people that are the great state of Idaho.  This is a chance to give back, to engage in personal sacrifice for the benefit of something or someone other than yourself, regardless of one’s interest or lack thereof for a given task.

These are my own thoughts, but I hope at least the essence of my last point rings true for my fellow corps members.  We all have every right to expect – nay, to gain something useful out of our experiences over the last six months, like how to be a leader for a team of your peers, or how to adapt and overcome when faced with a situation that is entirely out of your control – for instance, a forest fire.

But perhaps more importantly, this is a service position, from which – like any experience in life – you have gained as much as you’ve put in; just by being here, fulfilling that promise we all made in Boise, we are now Americans who have volunteered to serve, and even though our time here is done, may we always find a way to serve, and may we never stop asking ourselves, “Why?”





To read more of Dan's adventures this summer with SCA, check out the Idaho Americorps blogs.

Gnar crew finished up our time in the Lake Tahoe area and headed north to the Klamath National Forest, but not before having all you can eat sushi. The sushi chefs got more than they could bargain for with 6 trail crew members coming in fresh off hitch. After we nearly put the sushi place out of business we headed off on our journey. All season we had anticipated cold weather as we headed to Northern California and the cold rain on our travels proved right. We set up our camp in Carter Meadows at around 6,000 ft and went to sleep dreaming of the tread work to come. Check out all the great photos and videos here!

This post is by the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Veteran's Fire Corps, Fall 2011

The first week began with James departing for Texas on a fire assignment. It was a great opportunity for him to work closely with a local fire crew and experience the incident command system found on fire assignments. Even though it was great for James, the trip was short lived as the crew was de-mobilized shortly after arriving in Texas.

Monday night Mike (SCA Native Plant and Fire program coordinator) arrived in Springerville for a site visit. He arrived just in time for the start of a massive juniper thinning project. The project is intended to remove juniper trees from an area used by antelope and other wildlife during the winter months. It's an important seasonal transition area of land. The juniper trees have taken over and restrict the line of sight of the antelope making it difficult for them to use the area. The crew was tasked with removing these bushy bushes. This project provided the opportunity for the crew to get lots of hands on the chainsaws which seemed to make everyone happy to gain the experience. Let's see how long they like the chainsaw when it consumes most of our work for the next couple of weeks. ...continue reading.

This post is written by SCA Conservation Corps members of the Veterans Fire Corps in Arizona

What follows is the tale of six inspiring individuals, dedicated to a life of service, who share a connection to the land and have made a commitment to the people who live there. Their quest is a courageous endeavor, the challenge of controlling wildland fire in Arizona's most beautiful and equally unforgiving terrain. The Student Conservation Association, in partnership with Prescott National Forest of Arizona, is pioneering a new program, the Veterans Fire Corps (VFC), to complete fire & fuels management projects.

Bearing down on the standoff between wildfire and the wildland-urban interface, The VFC readily takes action. When weather, wind, and vegetation conditions align, they harness the power to control fire in their struggle to find a balance with Mother Nature. Some would call them idealists, many call them Heros, but one thing is clear: When history has passed and all that we know has come to fade away, the mountains of Prescott National Forest will stand eclipsed under the shadow of these giants known as the VFC. This is their story.

The VFC is working with Prescott National Forest to improve ecosystem health, rangeland conditions, wildlife habitat, and reduce the threat and adverse effects of wildland fire while also providing recent-era Veterans with the training, credentials and experience they need to competitively pursue wildland fire and/or forestry careers. The VFC is working on a variety of projects including; tree thinning, mechanical brush clearing, and prescribed fire.

Check back to read the crew's story as the struggle to find a balance between nature and wildfire in Arizona. Read more of their tales on the Veteran's Fire Corps blog.

The SCA Trail Town Outreach Corps, an organization focusing on sustainable economic development in the towns along the Great Allegheny Passage supported by the Trail Town Program and the Student Conservation Association, rides the GAP each year to experience the journey that brings people from across the region, the country, and even the world to bicycle in the Laurel Highlands.

Check out their great two-part feature on Cycling the Great Allegheny Passage!

• Part 1
• Part 2

Do you care about the future of youth conservation services?

Then help protect and expand them.

Call, write, and email your Congressman today and ask them to co-sponsor The Youth Corps Act of 2011 (H.R. 711).

This bill was first introduced by Representative Hirono (HI) with co-sponsor support from Representatives Andrews (NJ), Boswell (IA), Costa (CA), Grijalva (AZ), Kildee (MI), Luján (NM), and Matsui (CA). If passed the Act will amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to provide for the establishment of Youth Corps programs and wider dissemination of the Youth Corps model.

Passage would expand opportunities for young adults to protect our public lands and equip the conservation leaders of tomorrow with the hands-on skills they need to succeed.

On June 1st Representative Hirono will send a letter out to other members of the House asking for their support.

You can take part in moving these efforts forward!!

Call your Representative today to let him or her know that strengthening national youth conservation services is an important tool to help address conservation and environmental concerns on public lands and in our communities. Here is how you can contact your Representative:

• Call the U.S. Capitol at 202-224-3121
• Provide your zip code to find your Rep or ask for your Representative's office directly
• Explain that you are a resident of the Representative's home state
• Tell them you are calling to register your strong support for The Youth Corps Act of 2011 (H.R. 711) and to ASK YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO CO-SPONSOR IT.
• Explain that you support this legislation because it promotes the conservation of public lands today, as well as the chance to provide young Americans with the training and education to ensure that we have a well-equipped workforce to care for these public lands in the future as well.

Your calls are extremely important. Representatives track and count the calls they receive in deciding how they will vote on an issue. Please call your Representative this Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.

To find your representative online simply go to www.house.gov and enter your zip code into the ‘Find your Representative" box in the upper right.

For more information about the Youth Corps Act of 2011:

• Read a summary of the Youth Corps Act of 2011 (PDF)
• Let us know that you've called your Representative and give us your thoughts by commenting on this blog post

Thank you for voicing your support to expand service opportunities for Americans of all ages!

Selecting the Right Backpack

Adjusting your Backpack

Packing your Backpack