Blog

Special thanks to SCA’s Philadelphia Crew supporters: National Park Service, Exelon Corporation (PECO), The Boeing Company, William Penn Foundation, PNC, Wheelabrator Falls Inc, Philadelphia Youth Network, George and Miriam Martin Foundation, and others in the Philadelphia area.

The SCA Greater Philadelphia Summer Program successfully completed its fourth year, with area youth completing meaningful summer service projects while gaining leadership and Job Readiness skills. These local high school students committed themselves to working on conservation service projects in Philadelphia’s parks and natural areas, becoming an integral part of SCA’s mission of building the next generation of conservation leaders by engaging in hands-on service to the land.

An SCA partner since the Philadelphia program launched in 2009, Valley Forge has continuously provided great projects and offered many opportunities for SCA program youth. Valley Forge Crew Accomplishments:

• Removed over 57 rusty crayfish. There were no native species in the stream.
• Resurfaced Varnum trail and Connector trail with wood chips, grading the trail and filling in potholes.
• Laid down approximately 1,000 feet of mulch along the connector trail of the Chapel/Bridal trail.
• Students removed encroaching vines, including grape vine, wisteria, and Japanese honeysuckle, from trees at the "shotgun shell mailbox” and along the Schuylkill river.
• Over ¼ acre of mile-a-minute was removed and bagged to avoid seed dispersal.
• Students installed signs near the preserve & pond to warn against the dangers of allowing dogs to swim or defecate in or near the water
• Crews installed 1 water bar, 1 drainage dip, and 3 check steps on the lower chapel trail where erosion was identified as a problem.

Source: National Forest Foundation

Spring of 2012, the NFF supported fish monitoring efforts on the Twelvemile Creek Watershed on the Tongass National Forest. Two SCA interns worked with Forest Service professionals to gather data to better understand restoration efforts at this Treasured Landscape. Learn more

Written by Jeff Chen, SCA '06 and Alumni Council member.



For the last three years of my life, I've walked and picked up roadside litter with my crew of trash gypsies. We founded a project called Pick Up America – dubbed "the nation's first coast-to-coast litter pick-up." And with our own two hands, we've collected over 190,000 pounds of litter across a 3,550-mile route.

On November 11, 2012, our team will complete this journey in San Francisco. I invite you to join us – not only for our November 11th last mile of celebration – but also for our final 100 miles of litter pick-up from Stockton to Ocean Beach, San Francisco. The last hundred miles is happening now, and our team needs help, 'cause California is really dirty! If you're interested in helping out, just call me at: 301-523-1257.

As an SCA alum, I know that many of you had a life-changing experience during your summer of service. I, too, was transformed by my SCA experience. So, join me and my crew for the next three weeks to celebrate yet another transformation – one where we join hands to restore our communities and make a statement about all the unnecessary waste we've created. See you in the streets! Visit our event on Facebook to RSVP.

Ever wonder what SCA members actually do and wanted to connect with them directly? Do you want to see where SCA members or alumni are across the country? Connect, chat and meet them? Well, now you can.

Via jointhesca.org - SCA's online community - you can connect with current members, post pictures, blog posts, videos, engage in a live chat session or simply browse around the SCA community.

As an example of who you can connect with via jointhesca.org, we're introducing you to SCA member Danielle Thompson. Dani is Environmental Education and Outreach intern for the Anchorage Fisheries and Wildlife Field Office in Anchorage, Alaska. Check out her profile page, read her blogs, see her photos. Then sign up yourself to jointhesca.org and start networking!

Meet Dani Thompson. Just one of the SCA members you'll connect with on jointhesca.org...

Hello from Up Over! (Like down under, but opposite...get it!?)

My name is Dani Thompson and I welcome you to my blog-- a collection of adventures, photos, ideas, and stories during my 45-week internship with the SCA in Anchorage, Alaska! That's right. For over 10 months I will be serving as the Environmental Education and Outreach intern for the Anchorage Fisheries and Wildlife Field Office (AFWFO).

I am from Boulder, Colorado and grew up with a passion for everything outdoors! Hiking, biking, Frisbee, skiing, rollerblading, fishing...you name it, I have probably tried to do it or would if I got a chance. When I'm not outside my favorite activities include cooking, eating what I cook, yoga, being addicted to technology, making crafts and generally being crafty in the non-negative sense of the word.

So how in the heck did I end up in Alaska? Well, I accepted my totally amazing position back in March, about 2 months prior to graduating with my BA in Environmental Studies at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA. My background working as an intern for the Dickinson College Center for Sustainability Education (CSE) and the Watershed Stewardship Program at Paul Smith's College in the Adirondacks made me qualified, ready, and excited to take on the position of "outreach intern" at AFWFO.

Read more about Dani.

Sign up to jointhesca.org and connect with SCA members, alumni, applicants and staff.