Student Conservation Association

Student Conservation Association. The Student Conservation Association is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to building the next generation of conservation leaders by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land. Founded in 1957, it places thousands of high school, college, and graduate-aged participants annually in conservation internships and crew-based projects across all 50 states and in several U.S. territories. Its mission focuses on fostering environmental stewardship, developing career pathways, and completing essential conservation work in partnership with public land agencies and other environmental organizations.

History

The organization was conceived by Elizabeth Titus Putnam as a senior thesis project at Vassar College, inspired by the Civilian Conservation Corps of the Great Depression era. With guidance from National Park Service director Conrad L. Wirth, the first volunteer pilot program was launched in 1957 at Grand Teton National Park and Olympic National Park. This model proved successful in addressing critical maintenance backlogs and providing youth engagement, leading to its formal incorporation in 1964. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, it expanded its programming beyond the National Park Service to include partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and various state and local agencies. Key milestones include the launch of its high school crew programs in the 1970s and the establishment of its Conservation Career Development Program.

Programs

The organization operates a diverse portfolio of programs categorized primarily by participant age and program structure. The **Conservation Crew** program engages high school and young adult participants in team-based projects, such as trail construction, habitat restoration, and invasive species management, often in remote backcountry settings. The **Conservation Internship** program places college students, recent graduates, and emerging professionals in individual placements with federal agencies, nonprofit partners, and municipal parks, focusing on specialized fields like wildlife biology, environmental education, and cultural resources management. The **SCA AmeriCorps** program, conducted in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps), provides extended service opportunities with living stipends and education awards. Additional initiatives include urban programming in cities like New York City and Seattle, as well as dedicated crews for military veterans.

Impact and recognition

Since its founding, the organization's participants have contributed millions of hours of service, maintaining over 20,000 miles of trails, restoring hundreds of thousands of acres of habitat, and serving millions of visitors to public lands. It is widely recognized as a critical pipeline for talent into the conservation workforce, with many alumni ascending to leadership roles within the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, and major environmental NGOs. The organization has received numerous awards, including the Take Pride in America Award from the White House and the George B. Hartzog Jr. Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service. Its model of youth engagement and service has been studied and emulated by conservation groups internationally.

Partnerships and funding

The organization's work is made possible through a robust network of public and private partnerships. Its primary federal partners include the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Significant funding and collaborative support also come from corporate partners such as The North Face, REI, and Southwest Airlines, as well as from private foundations like the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. A substantial portion of its operating budget is derived from grants, individual donations, and fees for service from its agency partners.

Notable alumni

Alumni of the organization have gone on to prominent careers in conservation, politics, science, and academia. Notable individuals include former Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, renowned primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall, who served as the organization's honorary president, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jared Diamond. Other distinguished alumni include National Geographic Society Explorer-in-Residence Sylvia Earle, former Director of the National Park Service Jonathan B. Jarvis, and climate activist Bill McKibben. The alumni network serves as a powerful community supporting ongoing conservation efforts and mentoring new generations of environmental leaders. Category:Conservation organizations in the United States Category:Youth organizations based in the United States Category:Environmental organizations based in Virginia Category:Organizations established in 1957