And the winner is… Colorado! This year’s fall photo contest was certainly a tough competition. With each landscape’s foliage being uniquely beautiful, it’s almost too difficult for us to choose a favorite.
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) protects and preserves some of the most beautiful places in America and we wanted to share more information about these picturesque landscapes.
Landing in first place as the top pick for fall, Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in Crested Butte, Colorado are quite the vision. At this outdoor space, SCA Recreation Crew Members have maintained developed campgrounds, trailheads and other recreation facilities as well as shared conservation messages and educational outreach with local communities at community events. You can find SCA members at numerous outdoor spaces in the state of Colorado that boast some of the brightest fall colors each year.
The northeast isn’t shy about showing off its hues. SCA’s Altoona Youth Crew of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps has completed trail maintenance, vegetation management, park maintenance, and light construction projects in state parks and forests around the state. Within the Alleghany National Forest pictured above, SCA’s Allegheny National Forest Alumni Team improved 1,300 feet of trail using 9000 paver blocks near Marienville Ranger Station.
It would be remiss of us if New England’s colors were not included. In Vermont, SCA’s Summer BridgeUP crew improved 2,232 ft of trail, and built three chicken coops and 10 bog bridges, at Merck Forest and Farmland. One of SCA’s Wilderness Stewards also provided educational outreach, invasive plant removal, and trail maintenance within Green Mountain National Forest.
When is the best time to view fall leaves across the U.S.? The Farmer’s Almanac posts fall foliage maps so you can plan for peak season and know when to expect fall leaves change in your area and throughout the country.
Help us continue to maintain these scenic outdoor landscapes with a gift to SCA! Through December 31, your gift will have double the impact for public lands.
