Kickstart your environmental career this summer with SCA Urban Green!

Join our paid summer program in New Jersey and gain hands-on experience building trails, restoring natural habitats, and making a difference in your community. This 4-8 week program combines environmental education with job readiness training, equipping you with the skills and knowledge to launch a fulfilling career in conservation. The SCA began fielding local community conservation programs across New Jersey in the 1990s. Since then, hundreds of area youth have participated in SCA Urban Green programs.

What You’ll Gain:

Paid Experience: Earn while you learn and contribute to important environmental projects.
Real-World Skills: Develop practical skills in trail building, habitat restoration, and more.
Career Exploration: Discover exciting green career paths through field trips and job readiness training.
Leadership Development: Build confidence, teamwork, and communication skills.

Eligibility:

This program is open to New Jersey high school students. Limited spots are available.

To support the SCA’s mission in New Jersey, make a gift today.

Our Program

The New Jersey Urban Green summer program offers high school students a paid opportunity to gain hands-on experience in conservation, trail building, and habitat restoration. You’ll learn valuable career readiness skills, explore environmental issues, and make a real difference in your community.

Highlights:

20+ Years of Success: We have a proven track record of empowering New Jersey youth through community-based conservation programs.
Fedcap Partnership: We collaborate with the Fedcap School to provide year-round opportunities for at-risk youth.
Historic Preservation: We partner with the National Park Service on critical preservation projects.
Indigenous Stewardship: We’ve developed programs with the Ramapough Lunaape Munsee Nation to empower Indigenous youth to care for their ancestral lands.

Note: This program is competitive. Applicants will be notified of acceptance after the deadline in May.

Skills & Training

Professional Development

Build practical skills for a rewarding career in conservation. Gain hands-on experience in trail building, habitat restoration, and teamwork. Learn about environmental issues, public land resources, and career readiness. Develop leadership skills and connect with a diverse community of passionate conservationists. SCA alumni emerge with increased environmental awareness, social responsibility, and leadership skills, ready to make a lasting impact.

CPR & First Aid

Environmental Education

Habitat Restoration

Leadership Experience

Team Building

Trail Restoration

Key Partners

Our Urban Green program wouldn't be possible without the incredible support from our amazing partners! Public agencies, environmental organizations, schools, corporations and community groups all come together to fuel our mission and provide New Jersey youth with paid opportunities to make a real difference in their communities.