ARLINGTON, Va. – The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is celebrating a decade of impact through the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). This year was the largest program year in the Corps’ history, with 207 participants serving on 11 young adult crews and 18 summer youth crews, including an American Sign Language crew.
“It is with immense pride and gratitude that we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps. This milestone is not just a reflection of a decade of hard work but a powerful testament to the next generation of conservation leaders,” said SCA President and CEO Lidia Soto-Harmon. “Our Corps members have completed crucial projects that directly impact Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests. The skills and experience these young people gain are invaluable, preparing them for future careers and instilling a lifelong commitment to protecting our natural world.”
Since its launch, the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps has provided paid hands-on conservation job training programs to more than 1,500 young people ages 15 to 25 from underserved communities to prepare them for careers in environmental conservation. Program alums have gone on to work with leading conservation organizations, including the SCA, DCNR, National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service, benefitting from their hands-on experience and specialized training.
Modeled after the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps, program participants work on various projects, including trail restoration, habitat enhancement, storm damage restoration and tree planting, throughout Pennsylvania’s expansive state park system, which consists of 124 parks and forests covering over 300,000 acres.
“For 10 years, the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps has served as an important resource for young people wanting to gain valuable, paid experience in nature-based work. These young people learn the value of hard work, building character, and skills that prepare them for the professional workforce,” said Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “More than 1,500 young people will have completed the program by the end of the year, which is a testament to the SCA program staff, investments from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, support from the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, and private donors and supporters. Alumni from the program have gone on to have careers at DCNR, the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and so many other great conservation organizations. Thank you to all of the supporters of this transformative conservation workforce initiative.”
Earlier this year, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced an additional $5 million investment from the state in the Outdoor Corps to improve and expand this critical conservation workforce program. The measurable impact of the Corps’ service is remarkable and includes:
• 1,104 structures built or maintained
• 1,049 acres of land improved
• 48 miles of shoreline and waterway restored
• 894 miles of trail enhanced or created
• 19,685 native plants and trees planted
• 30,341 data points, samples, and artifacts collected to support land management and cultural resource preservation
• 701 certifications earned, expanding career readiness and professional credentials for participants
