Student Conservation Association Seeks Volunteers, Interns, and Field Crew Leaders

Kendall Schwartz

February 2009

It is true that one person—or in this case, one woman—can make a difference.

In 1955 Elizabeth C. Titus Putnam, a young Vassar College student, submitted a senior thesis that conceived of a program based on a modern day vision of the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). She recognized a growing crisis in our national parks, and her thesis proposed matching student volunteers with conservation projects that would be beneficial to both students and the environment. With the help of family, friends and mentors, her idea was fulfilled in 1957 with the launching of the Student Conservation Association (SCA).

Now more than 50 years later, SCA is the nation’s leading youth conservation organization and has placed more than 54,000 volunteers in national parks, historical sites, national seashores and fire-prone mesas. Many are budding scientists and have gone on to careers in the conservation arena. Others go on to business school or law school. All leave with an enhanced understanding of Mother Nature and the human dynamics of working with a group of strangers to accomplish a larger task. From urban programs in 14 major cities to backcountry crews deep in the woods of a national park, SCA offers something for everyone in all 50 states. Interested high school students can learn more by visiting http://www.thesca.org/serve.  

Three to twelve-month expense-paid Conservation Internships are also offered in over 50 disciplines throughout the US for individuals 18 or older who want to make a difference and help preserve environmental and cultural resources. All available internships can be viewed online at http://www.thesca.org/positionview.

SCA is also looking for passionate and driven individuals to lead, mentor and teach the high school students and interns by becoming a Field Leader. Specialize in native plants? Want to lead a community crew in a metropolitan city such as Pittsburgh, Washington D.C. and Boston or on the West coast in Oakland? Make a difference in your community and the environment by applying for one of many available positions at http://thesca.org/employment. 

SCA is a non-profit headquartered in Charlestown, New Hampshire with regional offices in Washington D.C., Oakland, Pittsburgh and Seattle.  Our mission is to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of our environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land.