SCA San Francisco Bay Area

The SCA is a national non-profit changing lives through hands-on conservation work in the outdoors. Our program participants protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks and community green spaces at various locations across the country. After a summer working with the SCA, program participants emerge with increased environmental awareness, social responsibility and leadership skills.

Through its Urban Green Program, the SCA provides young people with paid green jobs, including single-day service projects, seasonal work and year-long internships or fellowships. In the San Francisco Bay Area, the SCA has been fielding community conservation programs since 1977. Since then, hundreds of youth in the Bay Area region have participated in SCA programs. Thanks to generous support from local parks, environmental organizations, schools, youth development organizations and numerous community groups, the SCA continues to provide conservation opportunities to Bay Area young people each year.

The SCA fielded its first community conservation program in the Bay Area in 1977. Since that first year, hundreds of youth in the Bay Area region have participated in SCA programs. Thanks to various park partners, environmental organizations, schools, youth development organizations and numerous community-based organizations, the SCA continues to provide conservation opportunities to Bay Area youth each year.

The SCA Bay Area Community Program provides year-round opportunities divided into two seasons:

• High School Summer Programs (Age 14-19)
  • Paid opportunities late June-early August including local or semi-local camping trips
• High School School-Year programs (Age 14-19)
  • Paid opportunities September-May after-school and weekends
• Young Adult Programs (Age 18+)
  • Paid opportunities to lead high school programs during summer and school year
  • Crew positions in various area parks
• Internships (Age 18+)
  • Available in various timeframes, typically for college and post-college-age students

Members serve at sites in the greater Bay Area, including Vallejo, Oakland, Hayward, San Francisco and the Peninsula. Participants work to build climate resilience and increase access to outdoor recreation for all Bay Area residents by building trails, planting and caring for trees, restoring habitat, conducting research, and supporting community-level outreach and education initiatives.

During the program, participants learn how to work as members of a diverse team of peers; gain knowledge of public land resources, environmental issues, and career readiness skills; increase their understanding of environmental and trail restoration techniques; acquire experience in public service and outdoor recreation; and develop valuable professional skills through teambuilding and leadership activities.

Training Offered

• CPR Certification
• Leave No Trace (LNT) Outdoor Ethics
• Financial Literacy
• Habitat Restoration
• Trail Skills
• Urban Forestry
• Urban Agriculture
• Climate Resilience
• Environmental Justice

Key Partners

• San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department
• Greater Vallejo Recreation District
• City of Vallejo
• Cal Maritime Academy
• Yosemite National Park
• Brannan Island State Recreation Area
• East Bay Parks and Recreation Department

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