It was one of the tightest calendar cover races in SCA history! But grizzly bears received the most votes from our online community, so they will grace the cover of the Student Conservation Association’s 2024 calendar. Thanks to the thousands of SCA supporters who weighed in.

For those who voted to see puffins and sea turtles on the cover, never fear! These two magnificent creatures will be featured inside the calendar, along with even more beloved wildlife, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act this year.

Hats off to grizzly bears! But since they are all worthy of attention, here is a bit more about our efforts to help various species of birds, bears and turtles:

Birds

Two atlantic puffins

Not only do we assist with puffin banding and monitoring in Maine, but we also help with habitat restoration and protection for the black-capped vireo at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma and the sandhill crane in Mississippi.

Bears

Grizzly bear and cub

In Alaska, SCA interns have helped conduct bear observations at Katmai National Park while educating visitors on bear behavior at Brooks Falls during salmon season. This summer, we will work with park rangers in Yosemite to reduce human-wildlife conflicts with black bears.

Turtles

Sea turtle

SCA interns protect nesting sites at places like Padre Island National Seashore in Texas. But that’s not all! They also monitor and collect data on rare turtle wildlife species and their habitats in Michigan’s Manistee National Forest.

Support projects and programs that protect wildlife – and the public lands where they live – with your gift to the Student Conservation Association today. Your donation gets us closer to our goal of 100 donors before our fiscal year ends on March 31. Thank you!