apallais's blog

This holiday, give a gift on behalf of conservation. Want a few reasons why? Here are 3 reasons why SCA should be the recipient of your year-end giving. Don’t just take it from us; take it from these three these valuable sources.

1. REI says SCA is worth it.

That’s right. REI’s flagship Seattle store has made SCA it’s sole recipient of this year’s holiday giving tree. Donations from the holiday giving tree will go to support SCA’s Seattle Community Programs. If you are in the Seattle area, stop by the REI store for more information. If not, you can make a year-end gift now.

2. Veterans and Hurricane Sandy.

In the words of Veteran Mike Madalena: “When Hurricane Sandy plunged large stretches of New Jersey under water, my SCA Veterans Fire Corps crew was on the ground within hours, ready to help. Your generous gift to SCA can bring even more veterans like me into public stewardship – easing re-entry into civilian life while protecting communities across the country from fires and other natural disasters.”

Read more of Mike’s story during in Sandy recovery.

3. Building trails and changing the lives of young people.

“Your support [to SCA] helps me and others in the next generation have the opportunity to change ourselves and our world, one step at a time.” This is what Nora Kauffman, SCA Crew Leader, said of why she believes SCA is worth your year-end gift.

Read more of Nora’s story from this summer as she chronicled her crew experience in Big Sur, Ca and Wind Cave National Park, Or.

Make your gift before December 31, 2012. Donate online now. Thanks!

The following email was sent from SCA President Dale Penny to SCA friends in the regions most affected by Hurricane Sandy. We continue to provide updates on SCA's response to Sandy via SCA's Conservation Nation blog.

Dear SCA Friend,

Like you, SCA is greatly concerned about the people and places affected by Hurricane Sandy. I'm pleased to note the first wave of SCA's response is already on the ground in some of the hardest-hit areas, and through our local programs more assistance is on the way. A quick update:

• Members of SCA's Veterans Fire Corps, who had been clearing fire fuels in Arizona, have taken their chain saws to the Jersey shore and are aiding in the removal of downed trees and debris, thus enabling vital supplies of water, food, fuel and other necessities to reach those most in need. In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, these military vets are proud to be serving their nation in an entirely new way.
• SCA is also working with our partner Hudson River Park Trust (HRPT) to coordinate weekend service events. A clean-up project will take place Saturday, November 17th, at Hudson River Park in Manhattan's West Side. The project involves re-soiling and mulching. Register to help at the park.
• Presently, SCA is reaching out to officials at parks, refuges and other affected public lands to determine how we can assist in restoring these important natural areas. SCA has a demonstrated history of responding to natural disasters, from the coast of Florida to the slopes of Mount Rainier. Learn more about the National Park Service assessment of park damage.
• Finally, many SCA alumni and others have contacted us asking "what can I do to help?" You may already be volunteering with the clean-up or seeking an opportunity to join in. If you know ways others can help, please post opportunities on SCA's online community. Start a group, a forum discussion or create an event and invite SCA members to join you.

The aftermath of Hurricane Sandy has been considerable, and the outpouring of concern and interest from the SCA community has been as well. We will update the SCA blog with ways to get involved or support other organizations, so check back often.

Thank you,

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.

SCA is hitting the road to find the next generation of conservation leaders. Summer is over and many of our summer 2012 members are readjusting to life back home. But our recruiters are ready to find the next batch of earthsavers.

Are you or anyone you know interested in getting to work for the planet? If so, the path to a sustainable future is being built right now…and you could help lead the way.

SCA will be visiting hundreds of high school and college campuses this fall. Our recruiters will be looking for next batch of trailblazers, earthsavers, adventurers and explorers who want to help save the planet. Positions are available for high school crews, college-aged internships and local community programs, not to mention the need for skilled crew leaders.

You can help build this SCA workforce. If you know someone interested in a position or you are interested yourself, then take the next step and join SCA in saving the planet.

• Learn more about SCA by meeting a recruiter at a campus near you. 
• Meet an SCA rep via our online live chat sessions every Friday. Your chance to ask away.
• Connect with other SCA members, applicants and staff. Sign up to jointhesca.org. 
• Find your passion. Search our open positions.
• Apply to become an SCA member and help save the planet.