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SCA Alumni Council Illuminates Conservation Careers for a Youthful Outdoor Nation

Submitted by jthurston on Tue, 11/13/2012 - 18:15

 

On the third weekend of October of this year, the Outdoor Nation San Francisco Summit brought together young outdoorsmen from all over the US to encourage them to lead their peers off of the couch and into the foliage. SCA's Alumni Council gathered at the event to play a special role: Highlighting the fact that an active outdoor lifestyle is the perfect precursor to a career in conservation. As leading exemplars of SCA's commitment to fostering lifelong dedication to environmental stewardship, the Alumni Council was well suited for the part.

Among the highlights of the two day event was AC member Jeff Chen's spirited account of how discovering litter in a national park during his stint on an SCA crew inspired him to cofound Pick Up America, and lead a coast to coast march to clean up trash along America's scenic byways. Another highlight came on Sunday, when AC member Jaci Saunders participated in the Outdoor Nation jobs panel. She used the opportunity to share how her SCA experience helped her find the path to a career in oceanography.

Head here for a Storified account of the weekend's events, including a bayside service project in Oakland, and an aerially photographed "human painting" of the Tree of Life.

Here are some highlights:

Post-Sandy Restoration for Hudson River Park

Submitted by jthurston on Wed, 11/07/2012 - 16:08

On the morning of November 2nd, with transportation still down across New York City, over 100 volunteers -- including SCA alums -- made their way to Hudson River Park on the Manhattan waterfront to help with the clean-up effort. Some peddled up on bicycles, others came on foot from as far away as Brooklyn and Queens. "We've really been overwhelmed by this response," said Nicolette Witcher, Vice President of Environment & Education at the Hudson River Park Trust. "This soon after the storm, we thought we'd get maybe a handful of volunteers. But now we have over a hundred people out here, and it's really amazing how much they're getting done for the park."

The Hudson River Park Trust and SCA began a new partnership this year, with HRPT hosting eight Conservation Interns over the summer, and one ten-month AmeriCorps member as part of the Hudson Valley Corps. SCA members led a variety of environmental education programming for park visitors, from guided nature walks to fishing trips to summer camp programs, introducing New Yorkers to the Hudson River's many resources. But when Hurricane Sandy hit New York City last week, the Hudson River Park's five miles of waterfront on Manhattan's west side took the brunt of the storm surge. The floodwaters reached four feet or higher in many areas of the park, submerging the piers, rushing into park buildings, and sweeping away plantings and playground equipment. When the surge receded, leaving behind piles of mud and debris, the park was also left without power to aid in the clean-up.

But none of this fazed the volunteers who came out en masse for Friday's service day. Sharing the brooms, shovels, and rakes that were left undamaged by the storm, they set out to remove broken branches, gather trash and other debris, and sweep away the dried mud. As the volunteers worked their way north from Pier 25 toward HRPT's main offices at Pier 40, the park's paths, lawns, and landscaped beds gradually emerged from beneath the debris.

Selene Castrucci, an SCA alumna who served on a community crew at Denali National Park in Alaska this summer, proudly sported her SCA shirt as she pulled debris out of the bushes near Pier 25. While Selene admitted that New York City was a far cry from Denali, she insisted that it was all part of the same conservation ethic. "I'm just a high schooler," she said, "but this is where I live, so I thought, why not help out here? And I brought my friends with me too. Wherever you are, there's always something you can do."

-Ann Pedtke, NYC Outreach Coordinator

Round 3 Winner for Conservation Caption Competition, Fall 2012 Edition

Submitted by jthurston on Wed, 11/07/2012 - 14:26

Dani Thompson, SCA's Designated Caption Quality Evaluator (and FWS Alaska intern) has picked her winner for Round 3 of the Conservation Caption Competition, Fall 2012 Edition. Behold:

Toadily evil.

Congratulations to Johanna Weaver for being toadily hilarious (so, so sorry for that pun). 

Dani on her pic: "I think the toad hypnotized me into choosing this winner."

Special thanks to SCA national partner Dr Pepper Snapple Group for making the Conservation Caption Competition possible.

Click here for the rules.

NYC Hurricane Sandy Volunteer Opportunities

Submitted by jthurston on Thu, 11/01/2012 - 17:43

Hurricane Sandy has caused enormous amounts of damage all over the North East and Mid West. Below are a few volunteer opportunities for anyone who's willing and able to lend a hand to those in need in the NYC area.

The Hudson River Park staff are calling for volunteers to help get the park ready for re-opening. If you’d like to join them and get your hands dirty, the Hudson River Park will be hosting a volunteer day tomorrow (11/2) from 10am to 1pm for immediate garbage and debris pickup. Those interested can sign up to become a volunteer or contact us by email at volunteer@fohrp.org, or by phone 917-661-8751. And if you are able to provide your financial support, become a member and give what you can.

Where: Entrance to Pier 25 at N. Moore St.                          When: 11/2 @10AM-1PM

More volunteer opportunities for NYC Parks can be found on the NYC Government Parks website. Volunteering events are happening November 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. In order to sign up please follow the appropriate link below as each area has it’s own parks that all need help. Volunteer in the Bronx, Volunteer in Brooklyn, Volunteer in Manhattan, Volunteer in Queens

Round 3 of the Conservation Caption Contest, 2012 Edition

Submitted by jthurston on Mon, 10/29/2012 - 12:36

Hey conservation-minded people who are terrible at photography, stop fretting over the fact that you'll never win SCA's Got Dirt? Photo Contest and start writing captions. It's time for Round 3 of the Conservation Caption Competition, Fall 2012 Edition.

Comment with a chuckle-worthy caption (either here or on Facebook) for the imminently Captionable photo below, and you'll be entered to win some assorted SCA wearables enclosed in a handsome, sturdy backpack. Deadline is 9 AM EST Monday, so get writin'.

Oh, and hey, while you're on Facebook, it'd be, um, cool if you could share the contest post. You know, if you feel like it.

Note: Round 3's featured photo is one of many many stellar entries to this year's Got Dirt? Photo Contest. That particular contest runs till November 9, so if you happen to have any great conservation-type photos lying around…. 

Special thanks to SCA national partner Dr. Pepper Snapple Group for making the Conservation Caption Competition, Fall 2012 Edition possible.

Click here for the full rules.