Spirit of SCA Award

The Spirit of SCA Award recognizes a stellar alumnus/a who personifies the SCA experience and for whom the SCA experience has been a pivotal point in their lives. They are dedicated to conservation and preservation of our natural resources and have distinguished themselves as conservation leaders. Candidates are chosen among alumni who have completed five or more SCA experiences.

Jed Talbot, 2009

Jed is recognized as one of the most knowledgeable and skilled professional trail designer/builders in the northeast U.S. and beyond. He got his start with SCA as a member of what was then known as NH Parks AmeriCorps.

Jed went on to lead four crews for SCA's High School Program and then transitioned to Instructor and Chief Instructor in SCA's Conservation Work Skills Program from 2005-2009. He has been key to the training of hundreds of crew leaders over the past several years while working with both the High School and Corps Program leaders, as well as leading specialized trainings in remote setting such as a series of rock workshops in the Sierra wilderness of California.

• NH Parks AmeriCorps (now, SCA New Hampshire) member, 1999
• Four-time Crew Leader - Pisgah National Forest (2000), Appalachian Trail (2001 and 2003), White Mountain National Recreation Area (2004)
• Five-time Work Skills Instructor and Chief Instructor (2005-2009, and counting)
• Has own trail construction business called Off the Beaten Path

Brian Kurzel, 2008

The 2008 Spirit of SCA Award was given to an alumnus who not only has a long and deep history with SCA, but who also has continued to be extraordinarily engaged with SCA today. Brian Kurzel is a two-time crew member and also a 12-time crew leader. In 2007 and 2008, Brian co-led SCA’s 50th Anniversary Honorary Committee with Allison Rockefeller and Theodore Rosevelt IV. In this role, Brian acted as the Emcee of the first-of-its-kind youth in conservation summit -- EarthVision: Actions for A Healthy Planet.  Additionally, Brian represented SCA at its 50th Anniversary Green Tie Gala that featured Ken Burns as the key note speaker. The award was presented December 18th at his home in Colorado. [Brian is pictured at left working at one of the EarthVision service events.]

His accomplishments include:

• Co-led SCA’s 50th Anniversary Honorary Committee
• High school crew member – Kenai Fjords National Park in 1992
• Led 12 SCA crews: Yellowstone National Park (1995), Clearwater National Forest (1996), Beale Air Force Base and Great Smoky Mountains National Park (1997), Targhee National Forest and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (1999), Mount Rainier National Park (3 crews, 2000), Denali National Park and Preserve (2 crews, 2001), Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (2004)
• Works for Colorado State Parks as Natural Areas Coordinator/Forest Ecology Advisor

David McEvoy, 2007

SCA could not be more pleased to present the 2007 Spirit of SCA Award to Dave McEvoy. He’s not only a multi-year crew member, and 6-time crew leader but he's also a founding co-director (and now president) of the Aerie School of Backcountry Medicine in Missoula, Montana. In that business, he’s stayed close to SCA, training thousands of SCA leaders and members, Forest Service smoke jumpers, and wilderness professionals. The award was presented September 3rd at the Yellowstone Alumni Gathering in the park. His accomplishments include:

• Two-time high school crew member -- Acadia National Park in 1983 and Isle Royale National Park in 1984
• In 1986, he was a Conservation Intern at Mount Rainier National Park
• Six-time crew leader, from 1989 – 1995, in Beaverhead National Forest (twice), Payette National Forest, Yellowstone National Park, Flathead National Forest, and Kenai Fjords National Park
• Co-founded the Aerie School of Backcountry Medicine

Jackie Lucero, 2006

Join us in congratulating alumna, Jackie Lucero for her commitment to the conservation and service ideals of SCA. Jackie does more than personify the SCA experience, she lives it. Those who know her continue to see the positive changes she’s had through her seven years of service. Though unassuming, Jackie is a young woman who takes risks to grow personally and professionally. From her start as an Adirondack Corps member, Jackie has blazed a notable path for herself and as a result, has made an impact on our natural resources for years to come. Her accomplishments include:

• SCA Recruiting Intern
• Conservation Intern: The Trustee’s of Reservations, Martha’s Vineyard
• Interim NH Parks cook
• Staff – Big Cypress Restoration project
• Crew leader – four crews: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area – 2001, Blue Ridge Parkway – 2005, Appalachian Trail, Maine – 2005, Acadia National Park – 2006
• Peace Corps member – Guatemala
• Completed Masters in Environmental Education with Audubon Expedition Institute
• Now on staff with SCA at Mass Parks