SCA Interns Bring Diversity and Conservation to Local Communities

 By Victoria Allen, RTCA Apprentice, Anchorage, AK, victoria_allen@nps.gov

Thanks to AmeriCorps and the Student Conservation Association (SCA), up to ten "Apprentices" are working with mentors from the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program over the coming year. Apprentices will work alongside one or more NPS professionals as they help locally based nonprofit groups, local governments, tribes, and national parks create community conservation and recreation connections.

Each Apprentice will help youth and young adults understand how nearby natural areas, healthy outdoor recreation, and national parks are relevant to their lives. Also, as a team, the Apprentices will help NPS build a more effective toolkit for connecting with young people, and increasing their participation as citizens in community-led conservation.

Some team members are working in their home communities, while others have relocated to work in their areas of expertise. All aspire to work in conservation and have a strong commitment to public service. "This is one way the Service is building local conservation and recreation connections and making the National Park Service relevant to communities across the country," Director Jon Jarvis commented. "Tapping the energy of SCA/AmeriCorps members offers a great opportunity for NPS to connect with today's youth."

Click to read more about each Apprentice