This election season has Americans of all political stripes reexamining issues of leadership, character and values. We believe that SCA members represent some of the best in these areas, and that there’s no better time to showcase their contributions — and future potential — to strengthen our nation.

Every year thousands of young people serve the planet through SCA’s crew and internship programs, and even more pitch in through our one-day volunteer service events. In doing so, these young Americans are not only positively impacting public lands, they’re also preparing themselves to be the next generation of conservation leaders by leveraging hands-on experience and mentorship to gain the necessary knowledge and skills.

Leading up to the National Park Service’s Centennial this summer, we’ll be profiling a new batch of these inspiring young “Earthsavers” each month, for, as we celebrate the last 100 years, it is they who will do the work that will keep our parks safe and accessible for the Next 100 years.

DANIEL DRYBURGH

SCA Alumni Council member Daniel Dryburgh participates in a river wildlife survey with his SCA NPS Academy classmates at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

SCA Alumni Council member Daniel Dryburgh is a strong believer in the transformative power of outdoor immersion and conservation service. He hopes to use his digital media chops and conservation community connections to help make powerful nature experiences truly accessible to people from all backgrounds and communities.

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JEAN BARTHOLOMEW

Jean Bartholomew, second from left, leads a community hike with Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.

At age 16, Jean Bartholomew (above, 2nd from left) joined a SCA national crew for a trail project located 15 miles deep into the Yellowstone backcountry and she’s been a true believer in the transformative power of the great outdoors ever since. She stayed connected with SCA throughout her time at the University of Pittsburgh, and following a brief stint in a cubicle she decided to pursue a career that embraced her love of the outdoors. She now works in San Francisco as an educator at the Crissy Field Center for the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.

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NICK MURRAY

“A good leader has to be a good listener – it’s about finding out what motivates people, and then working with people’s motivations to accomplish things together.”

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ANTHONY PETERS

Anthony Peters and other SCA crew members on the trail in DC

“I want to help new generations of students feel the same excitement I felt about protecting our parks when I first joined SCA over nine years ago.”

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AMERICORPS NCCC FEMA CORPS TEAM BLUE 3

FEMA Corps Team Blue 3 conducting erosion repair at SCA's Find Your Park 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.

“I serve because it gives me a purpose greater than myself, and I think that is really important.”

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EMMETT PEGAN

After working outside helped Emmett Pegan deal with the stress of coming out as transgender, he decided to try and make a career of it. Now as an SCA Biology Intern at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia, he’s learning what such a career might look like before he heads to college in the fall.

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DANA FOSTER

As a SCA Museum Intern at Yosemite National Park, Dana Foster (Left) is sharpening her Cultural Resource Management skills and making it easier for people to connect with the historical and cultural resources that illuminate the connections between cultural identities and the land.

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KIARA “KIKI” SERANTES

Kiara "Kiki" Serantes, a SCA Cultural Resources Intern at Zion National Park, cleans up graffiti in one of the park's famous slot canyons.

As a Cultural Resources Intern at Zion National Park, Kiara “Kiki” Serantes is gaining the experience she’ll need to translate her writing and political skills into a career spent keeping the world’s wilderness safe from environmental negligence for at least the Next 100 years.

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