SCA and the Garden Club of America (GCA) have a long history of partnership and collaboration that began with SCA’s founder and Garden Club member, Liz Putnam a member of the Bennington Garden Club in Bennington, Vermont. The GCA and its member clubs from around the country have given SCA over $1 million in financial support during SCA’s 60-plus year history. Garden Clubs contribute to SCA in ways large and small, from sharing the proceeds of plant sales to working alongside SCA members on trail restoration, invasive plant removal, and other critical conservation and habitat improvement projects in parks and green spaces nationwide.
In 2010, the Garden Club of America established a scholarship as a tribute to the late Sara “Sally” Shallenberger Brown. A member of the Glenview Garden Club of Louisville, Kentucky since 1939, Mrs. Brown gave many years of active and influential service to environmental issues and conservation organizations on a local, national, and global level.
The purpose of this scholarship will be to encourage studies and careers in the conservation fields, with the opportunity to protect, enhance and gain knowledge and experience for the lasting benefit of the U.S. National Parks. The Sara Shallenberger Brown GCA National Parks Conservation scholarship will fund an annual SCA Apprentice Crew Leader (ACL) and/or Apprentice. ACLs will assist crew leaders to provide support, encouragement, and mentorship of high school crews engaged in hands-on conservation projects. Apprentices will work under the direct oversight of a land management agency or organization to address specific needs, which often include, but are not limited to, field data collection and management, visitor interpretation and education, and direct service work that maintains trails and improves habitats. The goal will be to provide a college student with the technical and personal skills and field experience to become a future leader in challenging and rewarding conservation service work.
Sara “Sally” Shallenberger Brown Scholarship GCA (New York City, N.Y.)
Training dates: (paid mandatory training) June 3 – June 16, 2024 at Hemlock Overlook Regional Park (Clifton, Va.)
Program dates: June 27, 2024 – Aug. 14, 2024 (New York City, N.Y.)
Pay: Apprentice Crew Leaders ($18/hr for 35 hours/wk), Leader ($900/wk living allowance)