Across the nation, Student Conservation Association crews are working to protect public lands, and the 2023 summer season will be no exception.
With projects ranging from trail maintenance to removing invasive plant species, SCA members will work to improve parks and greenspaces in multiple U.S. cities. Here’s a glimpse of our conservation work over the next few months!
In Alaska, the SCA is ensuring Alaska Native youth remain connected with their natural resources, culture and heritage. The Alaska High School Conservation Crew, for example, will work alongside National Park Service staff to clear the Portage Creek Trail, a historical migration route for the people who lived in the Kijik (Qizhjeh) village. The crew will also build a trailhead in Port Alsworth for the new access to the Tanalian Mountain trail.
In Atlanta, crew members build trails and restore habitat while exploring green career opportunities, building leadership skills, and learning about the local environment through environmental education field trips, outdoor recreation and service projects. The Black Women’s Conservation Crew in Atlanta, for example, is a safe space for women of color to gain new technical skills and explore careers in environmental conservation at National Park sites in the Atlanta area.
The SCA Chicago Community Program offers members the chance to work as part of a diverse team of peers, gain knowledge of environmental issues and build leadership skills. The Morton Arboretum Tree Conservation Crew, for example, will help expand efforts to improve the region’s tree canopy by planting trees, creating stormwater infrastructure and more.
For more than 20 years, and with generous support from donors, the SCA has provided young people from the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland with opportunities to serve their broader community by completing conservation projects in national, state and regional parks. At Prince William Forest Park in Northern Virginia, SCA interns will identify non-native and native plant species, work on forest restoration projects, stream assessments, bird surveys and more.
These are only a few of the many conservation projects happening this summer. Stay tuned for more updates as we highlight the important work SCA members are completing. Now through June 30, you can support our conservation projects with your gift that will be DOUBLED.
