When we first spoke with Caleb Miguel Awe last November, he admitted to some trepidation. “Nobody likes 40 below,” he noted. Caleb was just beginning his second straight winter as a sled dog intern at Denali National Park and Preserve, so he was already acquainted with Alaska’s oft-harsh climes. More recently, we caught up with …
“Few if any calendars make note of it, and Hallmark has no greeting card for it, but February is National Youth Leadership Month.” If that sentence seems familiar, it’s because we posted it last year as part of the promotion behind the inaugural SCA Convening on Youth Co-Powerment. Scheduled for mid-March in Washington, D.C., …
As special events go, this one was transcendent. In 2009, SCA hosted the then-current U.S. president and a former U.S. president in a tree-planting project to commemorate Earth Day. At the time, no one knew we were also in the presence of a future U.S. president. Barack Obama and Bill Clinton were the headliners that …
These are the photos that the SCA Instagram community liked best and the top SCA blog posts from 2021! Instagram Posts Whether you’re looking for stunning outdoor landscapes or stories of adventure from the field of conservation, our Instagram posts had something for everyone last year. You can follow along in 2022 and beyond at …
Even after months of division and tumult, the video from Capitol Hill was jarring. The loss of life was despairing. The threat to democracy was chilling. In the end, however, democracy prevailed. As the Capitol shone in the night sky, damaged but standing tall, lawmakers inside this beacon of self-rule confirmed the principles upon which …
As they burst to life each spring, deciduous trees fill us with hope. They provide a secure canopy through summer and bring splendor in the fall. Evergreens, on the other hand, are constant. Unlike their cousins, they retain their foliage through multiple seasons and in winter, when most other trees are dormant, evergreens serve as …
If you are searching for a simple way to support conservation efforts this winter, creating a bird feeder for your backyard is the perfect option. These animals play a vital role in the ecosystem by controlling pests and helping pollinator communities thrive. When food sources become scarce during the cooler months, feeders can provide much-needed …
Suzanne Tarkulich arrived at Big Hole National Battlefield in Montana in October, and already she’s visited Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Parks, as well as Craters of the Moon National Monument and many of the surrounding towns. “I’m trying to do as much as I can before winter really sets in,” the public education …
This is our second in a series of SCA winter project profiles. In recent years, SCA’s long-running summer-fall Adirondack Corps has added a smaller winter program in the William C. Whitney Wilderness, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and AmeriCorps. We spoke with Program Coordinator Rebecca Kambic and corps members …
As the seasons turn, SCA is turning our spotlight on members working in winter conditions. Sled dogs have always been part of Denali National Park and it seems like SCA interns have always helped care for the “canine rangers” that symbolize such a wide swath of Denali’s history and heritage. This winter, three SCA members …
All photos and captions courtesy of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation The SCA Adirondack Corps wrapped a successful summer season in October. It was a learning curve of how to adapt the program to many new Covid-19 guidelines, but the crew members were on board every step of the way. The 10-person …
The long presidential campaign appears over and a long road lies ahead. The election underscored the deep divisions in our country and it played out amid the renewed spread of the coronavirus, related economic concerns, and ongoing racial strife. Against this backdrop, one might point to greater priorities than conservation. However, conservation can play a …
By Mel Oliver, Crew Member In the midst of a food service job during the pandemic, I spent my free time volunteering at multiple encampments around Philadelphia and lending all the support I could. I met many helpful and genuine people, one of them being Matthew MacDermat, or Matteo. He told me about the Pennsylvania Outdoor …
Jack-o’-lanterns glowing in the nights leading up to Halloween sure can be a spooky sight. But there’s something even scarier than a carved pumpkin on Halloween night – and that’s a rotting pumpkin in the days following
The Hilton Effect Foundation announced today its 2020 Hilton Effect grantees. Through these grants and donations already made by the Foundation, which serves as Hilton’s primary philanthropic arm, the Foundation has now awarded more than $1 million dollars in COVID-19 community response efforts. The Hilton Effect Foundation’s grants aim to address some of the most urgent humanitarian …
So many events this year have been unforeseen and unsettling. However, one of the constants of our democracy is the regular selection, by the people, of government representatives, and SCA urges all Americans to exercise their right to vote on or before Election Day – November 3, 2020. SCA will close its offices on Election …
From left to right, first row: Brianna Amingwa, Marcus Rosten. Second row: Melanie Quiñones Santiago, Olivia Walton. by Trisha Malizia Each year the North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE) names a list of 30 people under 30 years of age who are change-makers within the field. The recognition “celebrates the unique and passionate leadership of …
by Lou Lunte SCA ’77, ’78; Alumni Council member How many captive tigers are there in the U.S? If you joined SCA’s Fifth Friday presentation on July 31st you might have been shocked — like I was — to learn there are an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 captive tigers in the U.S., far exceeding the …
Fall is here and you’ve spent time harvesting your garden of different fruits and vegetables. But you don’t want them to go to waste. You want to enjoy them during the long winter months ahead, so how can you make the most of your homegrown produce while also keeping the environment healthy? Food preservation is …
A five-person Student Conservation Association (SCA) crew recently constructed some new amenities on the Tooley Pond Conservation Easement in the Town of Clare in Saint Lawrence County. The team built a primitive campsite on the Allen Pond Trail, complete with a new short trail to the campsite, an earthen tent pad, a rock ring fireplace, …
Second Annual Alumni Engagement Week The Student Conservation Association (SCA) hosted its second annual Alumni Engagement Week (AEW) from September 21-26, 2020. The week was full of exciting opportunities to engage our network of 95,000 alumni, partners, friends, and more. SCA community gathered, virtually, to support conservation, network, and have fun! To kickoff the week, …
The view of Voyageurs National Park bursting in fall colors from a new scenic overlook wowed a couple last week. And they would not have experienced it without the work of youth crews who created the trail that lead to it. “We’ve been coming here for 20 years, and this is just great,” the woman …
At 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, the Turkey Path was opened to the public for the first time since last Thanksgiving. This popular out and back hiking trail is on a steep slope that descends 800 feet to the bottom of the gorge where Pine Creek flows and bikers, walkers, hikers and runners can …
Starting their service earlier this summer, SCA members Maryam Bledsoe and Kelly Escarcega are stewards of Big Marsh and other natural areas in the Calumet Region. Friends of Big Marsh Executive Director, Paul Fitzgerald, recently met with Maryam and Kelly for a brief discussion of their work maintaining Chicago’s natural areas.
by SCA Alum, David Kurapka It was paradise. My two stints with SCA account for a mere few months of my life, but their importance to me far outweighs the relatively brief time I spent in the program. Dave pictured top row, 2nd from right I served in the high school program in Acadia National …
By Grace O’Hara, Richard J. Guadagno SCA Conservation Fellow Nineteen years ago on September 11th our nation changed forever when four planes departed from various East Coast airports and never made their destinations. Hijackers took over the aircraft with the intent of crashing them into key locations. Two struck the Twin Towers of the World …
by Felice Yarbough, Urban Park Ranger, Houston, Texas Adjusting to life during a global pandemic has forced us to think even more creatively than before, in an effort to continue fulfilling the mission of the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. The FWS’s Houston Community Partnerships and Engagement Program had an opportunity to rise to the …
“Get some fresh air.” This phrase is commonly used during times of stress. There may be no time in history when getting outside has been more powerful for our health, both physical and mental, then through the COVID-19 pandemic. But what is it that’s so calming about nature? The truth is – sometimes the walls …
Great American Outdoors Act It’s not often that legislation affecting conservation and young Americans is signed into law. So when one of the most pivotal conservation bills in nearly 50 years crosses the finish line, it calls for celebration. The recent passage of the Great American Outdoors Act, a bipartisan bill providing critical funding to …
Since the end of May, a group of dedicated volunteers has been combing the beaches at NAS Patuxent River trying to learn and document what they can about the installation’s Northern Diamondback Terrapin population and their nesting habitat. Pax River’s open white sandy beaches, dunes and maritime forest provide the terrapins an ideal environment — …
Former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Official in Line for Chairwoman In 2021 (ARLINGTON, VA) July 27, 2020 — The Student Conservation Association (SCA), a national leader in youth service and stewardship, today announced its board of directors has unanimously elected Dr. Mamie Parker as vice chairwoman of the board. The vote positions Dr. Parker …
LETCHWORTH STATE PARK, NY (WKBW-TV — When the COVID crisis put a damper on live programming at Letchworth State Park, Conrad Baker went into action on the internet. He started producing “Nature Detectives” segments on Facebook. Conrad, who grew up on Grand Island, is an intern at the park and a member of the …
by Sally Jewell and Ken Salazar Among mountain trails and city parks in our home states of Colorado and Washington, we have gratefully found refuge in nature amid this global pandemic. Never has fresh air tasted so good as now, when it provides escape from a virus that is at its deadliest indoors. That may …
The Student Conservation Association applauds Congressional approval of the Great American Outdoors Act and looks forward to seeing the President add his signature to this landmark legislation. The new National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund will invest up to $1.9 billion annually over the next five years for deferred maintenance projects on National …
As SCA works with others to forge a more inclusive conservation community, we enthusiastically commemorate Latino Conservation Week. This annual celebration recognizes Latinos’ stewardship of our planet and promotes lifelong connections with nature. Latinos are the fastest growing demographic in America. However, like many communities of color, Latinos disproportionately endure the effects of climate change …
Statement by SCA Chief Executive Officer and President Stephanie Meeks “Officially, it is called the Cultivating Opportunity and Response to the Pandemic through Service Act. However, it is most often referred to by its acronym, the CORPS Act, and nothing could be truer. “Corps act. “As the coronavirus continues to spread through our communities and …
By Stephanie Meeks Despite recent upticks in hirings, double-digit unemployment and a slumping U.S. economy have many drawing parallels to the Great Depression and calls for a new Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal that provided millions of young men with conservation jobs. While there are some similarities between now and then, …
By Jay Watson and Bruce Saito The outdoors is having a moment in Congress, demonstrating bipartisan support for using public lands as a stimulus for economic recovery. The Senate has passed the landmark Great American Outdoors Act, which would permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and partially fund the maintenance backlog for national parks …
Like you, SCA continues to monitor the spread of COVID-19. As U.S. cases total more than 2.5 million and the number of lives taken nears 130,000, the toll grows ever more tragic. One must not be infected to be affected, of course. Our nation’s economy is reeling and millions have lost their jobs. SCA is …
If you’re starting in your pollinator garden journey, check out some of our resources on pollinator habitats and growing wildflowers. If you already have an efficacious garden full of native flowering plants, what’s next? Here are a few steps to turn your favorite outdoor space into a true pollinator paradise. Provide Shelter: Dead trees left …
Teenager Xander Hill was bummed about his summer. This spring, it looked like he’d miss out on his favorite job: being a lifeguard at Shaler’s Crawford Swimming Pool. Then, last month during a family dinner, his mom exclaimed from across the table, “Hey, the pool is going to open!” Xander, 16, is one of the …
Last week we asked our alumni, supporters, and staff to offer our SCA members who are graduating from high school or college in 2020 their best advice as they enter into a world demanding justice and equity. We know their graduation ceremony will be different this year, but we can promise that one thing will …
There are probably a few specific critters that come to mind when you first hear the word pollinator. Maybe you picture the well-recognized colors of a Monarch fluttering through your backyard. Or honeybees and wasps buzzing from flower to flower. Unfortunately, we tend to overlook some other key members of the pollinator community, and negative …
The next few days will be significant. Tomorrow is a somber Juneteenth. Summer officially arrives on Saturday. And June 24th is SCA Founder’s Day, marking 63 years since Liz Putnam launched SCA and a national movement. So climb aboard the WABAC Machine for a whirlwind tour of SCA history. Be sure to buckle-up! The Write …
With June’s arrival, SCA welcomes our 63rd summer of service. This one, of course, is unlike any other. Most intern and corps positions are beginning their terms with a minimum 14 days of precautionary remote teleservice. Conservation crews have been reduced in both number and size, and primarily are comprised of local participants. We …
“The rage in our communities and the grief in our hearts is tragically all too familiar. We have repeatedly witnessed the inhumane mistreatment of African Americans in this country. It is not limited to George Floyd or Ahmaud Arbery or others whose final breaths were captured on cell phone videos. This horrifically oppressive practice dates …
by Kate Hagner Like many youth-serving organizations, SCA had to cancel or postpone a number of its programs as a result of COVID-19. Our mission hasn’t changed, however. Our members are counting on these experiences to gain new skills, explore conservation careers, give back to their communities, and build connections. In response, over the past …
There has been a lot of pivoting for people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Folks may have imagined they would be working on a trail or teaching environmental education right now, but instead they are supporting their communities and frontline workers. We are so proud of SCA alum Sarah Calhoun for pivoting her company Red …
“Don’t mind that sound,” said Liz Putnam. “It’s only my bird clock chirping away.” Late last month, the recorded call of a yellow warbler signaled the start of an introductory phone conversation between SCA’s founder and its just-appointed president and CEO, Stephanie Meeks. “This is a real treat for me,” Stephanie said from her home …
by David Kurapka Like so many SCA alumni I was deeply moved by Sarah’s reflections on how her SCA experience prepared her for being isolated and sheltered in place during the current crisis. It made me think of my own experiences with the SCA, both in the high school program in Acadia National Park, and …
SCA’s Response to World Health Regulations During these uncertain times, many organizations must adapt to a new kind of normal. It is imperative to update our regulations and behaviors as social distancing practices continue to expand. The Student Conservation Association made the decision to cancel all in-person events and monitor programs in response to COVID-19. While operating remotely, our events management team redesigned corporate …
A message to our applicants At SCA, the health and well-being of our service members is always our highest priority. During the coronavirus outbreak, we are adhering to CDC, local government, and partner site guidance as they pertain to teleworking, social distancing, and more. Looking ahead to the summer season, we anticipate fielding conservation programs …
Since 2018, SCA has engaged local young adults in GulfCorps, a program in which members restore coastal habitats damaged by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill while developing valuable career skills. Since mid-March, however, SCA’s GulfCorps teams in Alabama have relocated from their waterfront worksites to their respective dens and dining rooms, due to the coronavirus. …
This 50th Earth Day is unlike any other and Katie Wareham is celebrating in similarly unique fashion: she’s exiting a self-imposed 14-day quarantine. But before we get to the end, let’s start at the beginning. Katie, a 23-year old from Frederick, MD, is and has been healthy since starting as an education and outreach intern …
(ARLINGTON, VA) April 21, 2020 – The Student Conservation Association (SCA), a national leader in youth service and stewardship, today named Stephanie Meeks as its president and chief executive officer. Meeks brings extensive leadership experience in the conservation and nonprofit sectors. She was president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for eight years, and prior …
March 16th marked Zack Rowatt’s and Erica Watkins’ first day as interpretive interns at Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve. That’s also the day the White House issued a work-from-home advisory, the Dow fell 3,000 points, and America moved into a new phase of the coronavirus outbreak. More than a month later, Zach, 25, and …
by Kevin Hamilton, SCA VP for Communications On April 21, 2009 – barely three months after his inauguration – Barack Obama planted native trees with SCA volunteers at Washington, D.C.’s Kenilworth Aquatic Garden, an event that would mark his first Earth Day as president. Mr. Obama brought some friends, too, including First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice …
The coronavirus outbreak has brought hardship and heartbreak to many, and we hope you have been spared the worst. At SCA in recent weeks, we have suspended some service programs, delayed others, and provided support for volunteers who remain in the field, where their relative remoteness now yields additional advantages. And, with so many programs …
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (which was after we took the photo above), SCA alum Sarah spoke about how her SCA experience helped to build coping skills like, “how to make bread. how to spend time alone, in the forest in quiet contemplation, or play killer card games.” It got us wondering: What …
SCA hopes you are in good health and spirit. The Covid-19 pandemic has, for the time being, redefined everyday life. Yet even as we practice social distancing, the American people have come together by running errands for the elderly, staging balcony concerts, and leaving fresh baked goods on our neighbor’s doorstep. Humanity, too, has the …
This. This post is everything right now. These are trying times indeed, but if we sit back and reflect on the words Sarah recently posted in SCA’s Alumni Facebook group, we will know we are well-prepared and will get through this together. We are grateful to the many who have reached out with expressions of …
It’s no secret that many of us are feeling confined right now. Between anxiety-inducing headlines and canceled social gatherings, our mental health is taking a hard hit. Aside from listening to podcasts, reading new books, and learning recipes, you might be wondering if there are other remedies to greatly reduce the cabin fever you are …
SCA is grateful to the many who have reached out with expressions of encouragement, favor, and concern. Ours is a generous and caring community. SCA continues to monitor and manage the Covid-19 outbreak. We activated an Incident Response Team early on to serve as the point of our spear and protect the health and safety …
In continuing our celebration of AmeriCorps Week 2020, Alumna Simone Maule reflects on her SCA AmeriCorps experience that provided the opportunity to serve a local New Hampshire community and created a path towards a career in environmental education. My Experience During my SCA term, I had the privilege of serving as an Interpretive Ranger with …
To celebrate AmeriCorps Week 2020, we are sharing the service stories of SCA AmeriCorps alumni and how their experiences impacted them. Anna Kellner took the plunge and explored challenges she had never encountered before, and those challenges ultimately ended up being the greatest reward. In her own words, here is her story… I woke …
SCA’s uppermost priority is the health and well-being of our staff and members. We are continuing to monitor and respond to the ongoing Covid-19 situation by reviewing CDC and WHO guidelines daily, as well as public health recommendations at relevant local levels. As circumstances evolve, so too will SCA policies to help ensure overall safety …
In February 2020, we introduced SCA interns – and twins – Megan and Katie Woods, who are researching underplayed yet essential moments from Boston’s past at the National Parks of Boston. In her blog, Megan examined the presence of African Americans on the local historical landscape. To bridge Black History Month with Women’s History Month, …
This year’s The Corps Network conference recognized two SCA alumni that have made significant contributions to the conservation community and have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills. Chicago’s Luis Cabrales (pictured left) was recognized as one of six Corpmembers of the Year and Jim Ziolkowski (pictured right) of the National Park Service was presented with the 21CSC …
SCA interns – and sisters – Megan and Katie Woods are researching rarely recognized yet essential moments in US history at the National Parks of Boston. In a fortuitous turn, their work coincides with this, African American History Month, and March’s Women’s History Month. Here is Part One of their absorbing look back – and …
Few, if any, calendars note it, and Hallmark has no greeting card for it, but February is National Youth Leadership Month. It is a time to advance and celebrate the rising leaders among us who are making a difference in our communities and the world at large. Of course, that’s a 24/7 practice at SCA, …
SCA volunteers are known for their contributions to America’s parks and forests, but often less recognized is the extraordinary influence site supervisors have on these young stewards. Rangers, biologists, trail foremen, and others instruct, advise, and inspire SCA members on a daily basis, helping to shape everything from their perspectives to their careers. During this, …
Service in Honor of MLK Jr. Day On Monday, January 20th, Student Conservation Association (SCA), in sponsorship with American Express and Southwest Airlines, teamed up with National Park Service (NPS) to serve at Anacostia National Park. In honor of MLK Jr. Day, over 150 community volunteers came out to help remove litter from the park …
Joining Forces to Expand Support for Youth Programs Across the Country We’ve teamed-up with 12 of the nation’s leading youth programs to launch Be a Champion, #InvestInKids to raise awareness and increase support for youth programs across the country. Every day, these programs reach millions of kids across the U.S. and make a positive impact …
By Nancy Fernandez Jessica Zamudio and I first met in 2015 when we were both selected to participate in a special internship program run by the Student Conservation Association that introduced undergraduate and graduate students to career opportunities in the National Park Service. For students, it can offer the experience of working in some of …
These are the photos that the SCA Instagram community liked best in 2019! Whether you’re looking for stunning outdoor landscapes or stories of adventure from the field of conservation, our Instagram posts had something for everyone last year. You can follow along in 2020 and beyond at @the_sca and browse photos from SCA leaders and …
by Jenny Blanchard, BLM At the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Anchorage Field Office, we are responsible for managing 23 million acres of land in western Alaska. This land is almost all roadless, making any archaeological fieldwork challenging. Without our close relationship with the UAA Department of Anthropology, we would get very little proactive research …