(NORWICH, VT) October 25, 2017 — The Student Conservation Association (SCA) and the Upper Valley Sierra Club Group today announced the first in a series of compelling “Women in Conservation” programs, highlighting historic and contemporary demonstrations of environmental stewardship and innovative leadership by Vermont women.
The series premiere will feature presentations by former Vermont Governor Madeleine Kunin and SCA Founding President Liz Putnam on Thursday, November 9th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, VT. The program is co-sponsored by the Montshire Museum of Science and the Institute for Sustainable Communities.
Kunin, in addition to serving as state governor, U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland, and a professor-at-large at the University of Vermont, is the founder and chairwoman of the Institute for Sustainable Communities, a Montpelier-based nonprofit dedicated to helping communities around the world address environmental, economic, and social challenges to build a better future shaped and shared by all.
Putnam, of Shaftsbury, VT, is widely considered the “Mother of the American Youth Conservation Movement.” She founded SCA in 1957, soon after conceptualizing the volunteer organization in her senior thesis at Vassar College. Since then, more than 85,000 young people have served with SCA and the organization has been the model for numerous other youth corps. Putnam is the first conservationist to receive the Presidential Citizens Medal, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors.
“Governor Kunin and Ms. Putnam are powerful, visionary figures who have helped shape our two states, our world, and our future,” states Michael Hillinger, chair of the Sierra Club’s Upper Valley Group in the VT and NH chapters. “Through the ‘Women in Conservation’ series, the sponsors hope to inform and inspire others to work for a more resilient and sustainable planet through the remarkable personal stories of these women.”
The “Women in Conservation” presentation is open to the public and free of charge. Those interested in attending are asked to pre-register for the event at www.thesca.org/wic.
About the Student Conservation Association
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is America’s largest and most effective youth conservation service organization. SCA transforms lives and lands by empowering young people of all backgrounds to plan, act, and lead, while they protect and restore our natural and cultural resources. Founded in 1957, SCA’s mission is to build the next generation of conservation leaders, and 70% of its 85,000 alumni are employed or studying in conservation-related fields. SCA is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and maintains regional offices across the country. For more, visit www.thesca.org.
About the Upper Valley Sierra Club Group
Founded by legendary conservationist John Muir in 1892, the Sierra Club is now the nation’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization — with three million members and supporters. The Club’s successes range from protecting millions of acres of wilderness to helping pass the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act. More recently, the Sierra Club made history by leading the charge to move away from the dirty fossil fuels that cause climate disruption and toward a clean energy economy. The Sierra Club Upper Valley Group (UVSC) is a bi-state organization comprising a subset of Club members in the areas of Norwich, VT and Hanover, NH.
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