Ready to protect the environment in the nation’s capital?
Get hands-on conservation experience, explore the DMV’s natural areas, and launch your green career with SCA Urban Green. We’ve been transforming the National Capital Region for over 20 years – join the movement!
Explore DMV Conservation Opportunities:
In Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, the SCA’s Urban Green program offers paid conservation jobs for high school students (ages 15-19). Join us to:
Thousands of young people have participated in our programs, gaining valuable skills and making a lasting impact on their communities.
To support the SCA’s mission in Washington D.C., make a gift today.
Thousands of young people have participated in our programs, gaining valuable skills and making a lasting impact on their communities. Explore current opportunities and learn more about the National Capital Region's conservation programs serving D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
Volunteer And Paid School Year Programs
These programs typically occur on weekends during the school year doing a variety of environmental education and service-related projects. Depending on the program, high school members can earn a wage or volunteer hours towards their required community service hours to graduate.
Team-based Programs
Supervised by an adult Crew Leader (age 21+), young adult crew members (age 18+) complete an array of field-based conservation projects as a collaborative team. Each crew has its own goals, including removing invasive plants from specific areas in a park, restoring dams, clearing downed hazard trees and more. Past Young Adult Crews include Maintenance Crews, Invasive Plant Removal Crews, Towpath Crews, Wayfinder Crews and more.
Individual Placements & Internships (Age 18+)
Urban Tree House
A valuable environmental education resource for DC area youth grades K-12, the UTH Program provides programs onsite at Anacostia Park in Southeast Washington, DC and offsite at select youth centers. The UTH Crew provides free environmental education activities and learning experiences covering an array of topics, like fish migration, watersheds, native plants, how to take a nature walk, and more. The UTH Program utilizes National Park Service recreational and natural resources to teach outdoor skills and stewardship. For questions or interest in the Urban Tree House, please email uth@thesca.org.
Individual Placements with Land Management Agencies
Our Conservation Individual Placements (age 18+) come in a wide range of focuses. Examples of Individual Placement programs include monitoring watershed health, inventorying cultural landscapes using GIS, developing social media strategies for National Parks, and supporting maintenance departments. Members work directly with experienced professionals, develop job readiness skills and make substantial contributions toward protecting the planet. For questions or interest in Individual Placement opportunities, please e-mail scadc@thesca.org.
Crew Leaders are paid outdoor professionals from varied backgrounds who mentor our high school and young adult participants, while making important decisions daily regarding the safety and well-being of our crew members. Along the way, you’ll gain experience and expertise in various conservation areas like trail building, habitat restoration, environmental education, urban forestry, and community outreach. These positions are great for young professionals building their conservation and environmental work experience.
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 Certification & First Aid
Environmental Education
Habitat Restoration
Leave No Trace
Outdoor Ethics
Trail Building
Resume Building
Generous support from public agencies, environmental organizations, schools, and community groups fuels SCA's Urban Green program, providing the DMV's youth and young adults with paid conservation opportunities each year.
General Questions
Email: scadc@thesca.org
Application Questions
Katy Swiere
Washington, D.C. Urban Green Program Manager
Email: kswiere@thesca.org
Urban Forestry Program Questions
Katy Swiere
Washington, D.C. Urban Green Urban Program Manager
Email: kswiere@thesca.org
Partnership Questions
Zaheen Hussain
Washington, D.C. Urban Green City Director
Email: zhussain@thesca.org
Hear what Urban Green crew members say about the program.
Protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries and community green spaces across the U.S.
Be a part of the movement to protect the planet and the communities we serve.
We are the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and young adults.
Join our community of supporters who care deeply about preserving parks, public lands and urban green spaces.
"*" indicates required fields
