HAMMOND, Ind. – The Student Conservation Association (SCA) today announced receiving much-needed support from two foundations that helped to restore lost federal funds and enabled the Urban Forestry Crew to complete their tree watering and planting season, which typically lasts until early November.
The first award came from the Legacy Foundation’s Lake County Resilience Fund, designed to support nonprofit organizations impacted by recent federal and state funding reductions and contract terminations. This funding initiative is part of the Foundation’s broader strategy to ensure stability and continuity for nonprofit partners and the communities they serve throughout Lake County, Indiana. Specifically, the Legacy Foundation grant supported a three-person SCA crew to continue watering young trees through the hottest part of the summer, when they are the most vulnerable.
“Legacy Foundation is proud to support the Student Conservation Association’s vital efforts to improve natural and green spaces in our community,” said Erica Fizer Katsepas, Vice President of Philanthropy at Legacy Foundation. “We know this is labor intensive work and that many young trees would not survive without the care from SCA’s crews.
A second grant from the Wright Foundation for Sustainability & Innovation further extends the crew through the end of the planting season in early November. The crew plans to plant approximately 250 trees by leading community tree planting events and partnering with both community organizations and municipalities in the area.
“The Wright Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation (WFSI) is honored to support the Student Conservation Association in completing their tree planting season,” said WFSI Chair Scott Packard. “Their commitment to community engagement, education, and environmental stewardship reflects our shared goal of creating meaningful and lasting impact.”
Cities thrive when trees are part of their story. Trees transform urban spaces into vibrant, healthier, safer and more resilient communities. They cool our neighborhoods, clean the air, nurture biodiversity, and create spaces where people and wildlife can flourish together. A future with more trees uplifts everyone because every community deserves the shade, beauty and the benefits they bring.
“With the support from the Legacy Foundation and Wright Foundation, we can continue the important work here in NW Indiana, despite some of the funding challenges we experienced earlier in the year that would have halted our work,” said Leo Sawyers, Northwest Indiana Community Program Manager. “Underserved and fenceline communities in the region rely on our partnership to plant native and naturalized trees in public green spaces, and our commitment to care for all newly planted trees for the first three years have led to a survival rate of over 80 percent.”
About the Student Conservation Association
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and young adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks and community green spaces across the country. The SCA is devoted to building equitable access to nature, providing green job opportunities for young people and teaching members how to become environmental stewards. Founded in 1957, the SCA is committed to building the next generation of conservation leaders dedicated to the lifelong protection of the environment and the communities we serve. For more, visit www.thesca.org.
About the Legacy Foundation
Since 1992, Legacy Foundation has connected people with the resources and opportunities they need to build a thriving Lake County. The foundation manages charitable funds, awards grants and scholarships and partners with nonprofits and community leaders to create lasting impact. For more information, visit: www.legacyfdn.org.
About the Wright Foundation For Sustainability & Innovation
Wright Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation is a nonprofit organization focused on fostering innovative solutions in renewable agriculture, tree planting and environmental sectors to reduce environmental risk for our communities and the planet at large. Through fundraising and grant-making, WFSI empowers sustainability projects that reduce carbon footprints and promote carbon positive practices. WFSI is headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa. For more, visit www.wrightfortomorrow.org.
