San Francisco Bay Area

Today, only 6% of children play outside on their own. Those who do enjoy less than eight minutes a day in unrestricted outdoor activities. Yet the average teenager spends 10 hours a day staring at an electronic screen.

In urban areas, the disconnect between youth and nature is even more acute. But here in the San Francisco Bay Area, SCA—which launched the American youth conservation movement nearly 60 years ago—is spearheading a new drive to engage young people in hands-on service in the very neighborhoods they call home.

With an active focus on under-served populations, we provide students from all backgrounds with empowering opportunities to preserve city parks, explore the local ecology, and discover their own potential. Independent studies confirm that SCA members gain greater self-esteem and direction, enhanced critical-thinking and focus, and improved fitness and stamina.

Additionally, as students advance along a continuum of conservation experiences, they build the skills and insights necessary to lead effectively, practice lifelong stewardship and succeed in their careers.

Following their initial service, some SCA members return to lead the programs on which they once volunteered; others progress to become interns at Golden Gate NRA, Point Reyes National Seashore, or distant locations like the Great Smoky Mountains. And with seven in 10 SCA alumni employed or studying in the conservation field, their influence will reach across local governments, businesses and communities for many years to come.

CONTACT INFO

SCA California/Southwest

1230 Preservation Park Way

Oakland, CA 94612

510.832.1966

LOCAL PARTNERS

  • Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge
  • East Bay Regional Parks
  • San Mateo County Parks

COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS

  • S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation
  • Union Bank Foundation
  • Yosemite Conservancy

UPCOMING EVENTS

There are currently no events scheduled – Please check back!

Bay Area Special Initiatives:

COMMUNITY CONSERVATION CREWS

Under-served teens from throughout the Bay Area enjoy what is often their first real exposure to the outdoors as they improve local parks and neighborhoods and gain vital work skills and job experience in what the US Conference of Mayors calls “one of America’s top green jobs programs for youth.” Read more about the Community Crew opportunities in the Bay Area

HISTORICAL PRESERVATION

SCA interns at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park are preserving the largest museum collection in the National Park Service—at over six million items, the largest maritime collection on the West Coast. Interns research, identify, document, digitize and arrange items ranging from archaeological artifacts to ship plans and oral histories to extend our learning and to keep the past alive.

SF YOUTH STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

In coordination with the city’s Recreation and Park Department, SCA provides free environmental service-learning programs to students in grades 2 to 12. Each course includes one classroom presentation and five thematic field trips consisting of educational elements as well as habitat restoration work to help young people forge powerful, personal connections with nature.

“I used to not value myself as enthusiastic, helpful and influential until I got to start a journey with my SCA leaders and friends. What we have been through made each member, including myself, a true leader.”

– Marvin Nieto, 17, SCA Bay Area Crew Member

KEY SUPPORTERS

NEWS, STORIES & PROJECTS

Cluster of bats

Bat Benefits

Swooping in this week was International Bat Appreciation Day (April 17), a day to bring awareness and recognition to…

SCA News Release banner

KeyBank Foundation Awards Student Conservation Association $300,000 to Expand Green Jobs Program for High Schoolers 

ARLINGTON, Va. — The SCA is excited to announce that the KeyBank Foundation will award the organization $300,000 over…

SCA News Release banner

Student Conservation Association Joins 2023 Leave No Trace Hot Spot Program at Goldbug Hot Springs

North Fork, Idaho – The Student Conservation Association (SCA), in partnership with the Leave No Trace Center for…

Green sea turtle hatchling on the sand.

Endangered Species Awareness

On Endangered Species Day, we recognize thousands of different species across the globe that are in need of our…

MA Historic Preservation Corps.

The Power of Preservation

Every May, we highlight the significance of historic preservation….

Protecting History and Culture

In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month this May, we are highlighting…

Summer Conservation Projects Are Heating Up

Across the nation, Student Conservation Association crews are working to protect public lands, and the 2023 summer…

Two members planting tree

Tree Planting Has Strong Roots at the SCA

We love planting trees at the Student Conservation Association. With National Arbor Day coming up on April 28, we’re…

White Sands

Five Parks in the Spotlight for National Park Week

National Park Week (April 22-30) is a time to honor all things parks. With more than 400 national parks across the…

Calumet Tree Conservation Corps.

Celebrate Earth Day with the SCA

To celebrate Earth Day, the Student Conservation Association (SCA) is hosting multiple events across the country…

Student Conservation Association