As part of the sponsorship, American Eagle Outfitters will co-host numerous events and programs across the nation including an SCA summit on youth service in conservation in Washington, DC.  Additionally, AE will promote SCA and its anniversary events in 900+ stores across the country.

SCA volunteers, including high school, college and graduate students, annually provide more than 1.5 million hours of wildlife management, habitat restoration, trail construction and other vital services in national parks, forests and community green spaces in all 50 states.  Founded in 1957, SCA is dedicated to building new generations of conservation leaders and the National Park Service has deemed SCA volunteers as essential to protecting the nation’s natural and cultural resources.

“AE customers have told us that they’re worried about the environment,” says Joe Kerin, president of the AE Foundation and executive vice president of stores and real estate. “We’re proud to partner with SCA to raise awareness of their good work among our millions of AE guys and girls.”

CA’s 50th anniversary commemoration will engage thousands of young people and others in action, dialogue and outreach designed to protect our natural resources and inspire a lifetime of stewardship.  Special events include:

• A multimedia essay contest seeking new ideas for involving young people in conservation.  The contest will honor SCA Founding President Elizabeth Titus Putnam, whose senior thesis in the mid-1950s first proposed a “Student Conservation Corps.” Submissions will be reviewed by a prestigious national panel and top entries will be awarded cash prizes.
• Dozens of alumni reunions and service projects at national parks and in local communities around the nation.
• A landmark youth in conservation summit that will link in contemporary and future conservation leaders in a visionary dialogue about climate change, endangered species, and sustainable living designed to form effective, collaborative environmental solutions.

“As we recognize the past, we must focus on the future,” states SCA President Dale Penny.  “The need for SCA and its dedicated volunteers has never been greater and as we cooperatively chart a new course for conservation, we are grateful to count the American Eagle Outfitters Foundation among our most dedicated partners.”

Penny notes the Pittsburgh-based American Eagle has been a long-time sponsor of SCA’s local conservation programs for high school students.  AE has also provided t-shirts for thousands of SCA’s national participants.

Each year, more than 3,000 SCA volunteers serve as park rangers, researchers, and educators in over 500 national parks, forests, refuges and urban green spaces.  Over their lifetimes, many of SCA’s nearly 50,000 alumni have continued to employ the skills and ethics they developed during their SCA experience, and 60% of SCA interns have advanced to become conservation professionals where they continue to directly impact the preservation of our public lands.

The Student Conservation Association is the nation’s oldest and largest conservation organization for young adults.  SCA volunteers protect and restore America’s parks, forests, and other public lands.  Since 1957, SCA’s active, hands-on practice of conservation has helped to develop a new generation of conservation leaders, inspire lifelong stewardship, and save the planet.  To learn more, visit the SCA website.

About American Eagle Outfitters:

American Eagle Outfitters (Nasdaq:AEOS) is a leading retailer that designs, markets and sells its own brand of laidback, current clothing targeting 15 to 25 year-olds, providing high-quality merchandise at affordable prices. AE's original collection includes standards like jeans and graphic Ts as well as essentials like accessories, outerwear, footwear, basics and swimwear. American Eagle Outfitters currently operates 831 stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and 72 AE stores in Canada. AE also The AE website also offers additional sizes and styles of favorite AE merchandise and ships around the world. In September of this year, the company launched a new collection of dormwear and intimates. "aerie by American Eagle" is now available in American Eagle stores across the country and at the Aerie website. It includes bras, undies, camis, hoodies, robes, boxers, sweats and leggings for the AE girl. Designed to be sweetly sexy, comfortable and cozy, aerie offers AE customers a new way to express their personal style everyday, from the dormroom to the coffee shop to the classroom. The company has also introduced MARTIN + OSA, a new sportswear concept targeting 25 to 40 year-old women and men. MARTIN + OSA carries apparel, accessories and footwear, using denim and sport inspiration to design fun and sport back into sportswear. MARTIN + OSA currently operates four stores and plans to open one additional store this year. For additional information and updates, visit martinandosa.com.