| 50th Events |
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Bay Area Salute to SCASan Francisco and Bay Area leaders had lavish praise for SCA’s five decades of stewardship of America’s public land at a recent 50th Anniversary celebration held at the Presidio. U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein hailed the work of SCA volunteers in the California desert, Lake Tahoe and the King Range Wilderness, among other area sites. “The value of this hands-on service in incalculable,” Feinstein stated in her pre-recorded comments. “You’re really making a difference to protect California’s treasures.” Senator Feinstein received the SCA Founder’s Medal, named for SCA Founding President Elizabeth C. Titus Putnam, for her ongoing environmental leadership. Other awards were presented to National Park Service Pacific West Regional Director Jon Jarvis, Bureau of Land Management State Director Mile Pool, and U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Regional Forester Bernie Weingardt, and Golden Gate National Recreation Area Superintendent Brian O’Neill.
SCA President Dale Penny announced American Eagle Outfitters as the Presenting Sponsor of SCA’s 50th anniversary celebration, and Hill & Knowlton, Mazda, and the National Park Service as Anniversary Sponsors. Among the nearly 300 people filling the Presidio’s Officers’ Club were two pioneers from the first SCA crews in 1957: Bob Page, who served at Grand Teton National Park, and Joan Seear, who volunteered at Olympic National Park. Jay Watson, Director of SCA’s California/Southwest region, noted that SCA has welcomed nearly 50,000 young people over the past half-century, and during that time SCA has placed more volunteers in California, and drawn more members from California, than any other state in the nation.
SCA Launches 50th Anniversary on Saturday, October 21st in Charlestown
“What I enjoy most,” stated SCA alumna Tamara Paul, “is inspiring others to live passionately and abundantly.” In that case, she must have had an exceptional Saturday. Tamara delivered some of the best moments of the day as SCA kicked-off its 50th Anniversary Celebration at The SCA Center for Conservation Service in Charlestown, NH. Recounting her 2005 internship at Wichita Mountain National Wildlife Reserve, she spoke of connecting with the land and connecting with people. “I learned that everybody has a story in life. A story that they desire to share and a story that I desire to learn” as through these connections one creates community, and defines “what you stand for and what you believe.” Click here to watch a video clip of Paul's talk. Former National Park Service Director Bob Stanton thanked the SCA community “on behalf of a grateful nation for the contributions that you are making, have made, and will continue to make to the preservation of our rich and diverse natural and cultural heritage…I tell you that you are great and Happy Birthday!” Click here to watch a video clip of Stanton's talk. Other alumni noted how SCA helped them launch conservation careers, follow their dreams, and make a difference. And each speaker invariably recognized the woman whose “simple yet profound idea,” as SCA President Dale Penny put it, not only endures to this day but is now more vital than ever before. Following tribute after tribute, SCA Founding President Elizabeth Titus Putnam was presented with a bronze relief, created by SCA alumnus and sculptor Larry Nowlan of Windsor, VT. Typically, however, Liz quickly turned the spotlight around and shined it on the organization’s many volunteers and supporters. “You are SCA,” she said. “You are the present and the future…and give me great hope” for the well-being of the planet, reminding everyone that there is much more work to be done.
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Dr. Sylvia Earle, a National Geographic Explorer in Residence and former SCA board member, touted SCA as the remedy for a society seemingly bent on isolating itself from the natural systems on which it is dependent. In her keynote address, Earle called SCA a “mighty force that will turn things around, not just slow the process of [environmental] decline.” 
