Seattle, WA (Vocus) October 24, 2009
Today, the Student Conservation Association (SCA) celebrated the expanding of a new pilot program that removes financial barriers for low-income and underrepresented youth so they too can learn about the environment and conservation. Through a new $ 150,000 grant from the Boeing Company Charitable Trust, the SCA will provide meaningful work experience and educational opportunities for 150 Seattle-area high school students in the coming year.
“We are proud to partner with the SCA to develop the next generation of conservation leaders,” said Neelima Shah, who coordinates environmental grants and initiatives for The Boeing Company in the Northwest. “It is so important that we expand opportunities and get more young people involved in taking care of our neighborhoods.”
To kick off the newly expanded program, students worked alongside Boeing employees and other volunteers to remove invasive plants and perform restoration at Cheasty Greenspace on Beacon Hill in Seattle.
“SCA is about empowering young people, connecting them to nature, and practicing lifelong stewardship,” says SCA Vice President Jay A. Satz. “Here in Seattle, our members gain hands-on education and experience in a variety of conservation work projects.” Satz notes, “All young people should have this opportunity regardless of their economic background.”
The Cheasty Greenspace is located in the heart of Beacon Hill, one of Seattle’s most diverse neighborhoods, where many of SCA’s members live. Cascade Land Conservancy, working in collaboration with Seattle Parks, the Green Seattle Partnership and local community forest stewards, oversee the restoration effort at this greenspace in addition to other sites in the area.
SCA has partnered with Cascade Land Conservancy over the past year to help implement the Cascade Agenda by not only doing important hands-on conservation work on the ground, but also by instilling environmental ethic in our future generation of environmental leaders. This ongoing partnership is also in collaboration with Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Green Seattle Partnership.
Across the nation, thousands of SCA members annually protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks and community green spaces in all 50 states.
EDITOR’S NOTE – Event photos available upon request.
About the Student Conservation Association
SCA is a nationwide conservation force of college and high school students who protect and restore America’s parks, forests, refuges, seashores and communities. For more than 50 years, SCA’s active, hands-on practice of conservation service has helped to develop a new generation of conservation leaders, inspire lifelong stewardship, and save the planet. SCA is a non-profit headquartered in Charlestown, New Hampshire with regional offices in Washington D.C., Oakland, Pittsburgh and Seattle. For further information, visit www.thesca.org .
About the Cascade Land Conservancy
The Cascade Land Conservancy is a regional land trust, land stewardship provider and policy center operating in Washington State with headquarters in Seattle and principal offices in King, Kittitas, Mason, Pierce and Snohomish Counties. Founded in 1989, the Conservancy has protected more than 150,000 acres of working forests, farmlands and natural areas as well as estuary lands on the Olympic Peninsula and along the Washington Coast. It provides stewardship services, caring for more than 10,000 acres of land. Since 2005, it has been the host organization of The Cascade Agenda, which links conserving great lands with creating great communities. For more information, please visit www.cascadeland.org and www.cascadeagenda.com .
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