STUDENT CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION earth day 2016 IMPACT REPORT IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR PARTNERS, SCA brought together over 2,100 volunteers this April to celebrate Earth Day in cities across the nation. In honor of the 2016 National Park Service Centennial and National Park Week, SCA hosted many of the Earth Day projects at urban national park sites. From coast to coast, SCA volunteers of all ages and backgrounds came together to protect and preserve some of our most treasured public lands and to celebrate our planet through hands-on service.
2016 earth day impact 16 EVENTS 2,173 VOLUNTEERS 9,985 HOURS OF CONSERVATION SERVICE 73% VALUED AT* $235,247 52% participants under the age of 35 *based on 2015 estimated value of volunteer time according to the Independent Sector self-identify as being from racial or ethnic minority backgrounds 133,201 TOTAL BENEFITING MORE THAN ACRES OF PARK LANDS IMPROVED 57% were visiting the park for the first time 27 Million ANNUAL PARK VISITORS 87% were attending an SCA service event for the first time. 79% of participants report that they would definitely volunteer again. 95% report that after serving with SCA they feel more empowered to do more to protect their parks and local green spaces. 1,637 TREES PLANTED 1,225 STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS EDUCATED 7.2 TONS OF TRASH AND DEBRIS REMOVED 94,790 SQUARE FEET OF INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVED 2
NEW YORK CITY Find Your Park Day of Service / ConSERVE NYC SITE: Fort Wadsworth (Gateway National Recreation Area) VOLUNTEERS: 368 HOURS OF WORK COMPLETED: 1,840 WORK ACCOMPLISHED: Restored 7,500 feet of trail, repainted 6,000 square feet of retaining wall damaged by graffiti, removed 3 tons of trash and debris from the beach. AUBURN, NH SCA New Hampshire Corps SITE: Massabesic Audubon Center VOLUNTEERS: 30 HOURS OF WORK COMPLETED: 240 WORK ACCOMPLISHED: Worked with 200 student participants to pot seedlings and complete environmental education activities as part of the Massabesic Audubon Earth Day Festival in conjunction with the National Wildlife Foundation. HOUSTON, TX SITE: Sam Houston Park VOLUNTEERS: 6 HOURS OF WORK COMPLETED: 40 WORK ACCOMPLISHED: Provided hands-on educational activities to over 300 students and members of the public. SAN FRANSISCO, CA Find Your Park Day of Service / ConSERVE Bay Area SITE: Lands End and Tennessee Valley, Golden Gate National Recreation Area VOLUNTEERS: 383 HOURS OF WORK COMPLETED: 1,532 WORK ACCOMPLISHED: Removed 2,760 square feet of invasive species, restored 865 square feet of camping platforms, repaired 450 feet of fence, mulched 50 feet of trail. 3
DETROIT, MI SITE: Belle Isle Conservancy VOLUNTEERS: 10 HOURS OF WORK COMPLETED: 40 WORK ACCOMPLISHED: Removed brush and litter from Belle Isle. PALMER, AK SITE: Musk Ox Farm VOLUNTEERS: 20 HOURS OF WORK COMPLETED: 120 WORK ACCOMPLISHED: Removed 60 pounds of trash. HAWLEY, MA SCA Massachusetts Corps SITE: Kenneth Dubuque State Forest DATE: April 22nd, 2016 VOLUNTEERS: 29 HOURS OF WORK COMPLETED: 696 WORK ACCOMPLISHED: Provided hands-on environmental education lessons to over 100 elementary students during Hawley Nature Day. SHERBURNE, NY SCA Excelsior Conservation Corps SITE: Rogers Environmental Education Center (NYSDEC) DATE: April 22nd, 2016 VOLUNTEERS: 75 HOURS OF WORK COMPLETED: 406 WORK ACCOMPLISHED: Removed 43,560 square feet of invasive honeysuckle. 4
MILWAUKEE, WI SITE: Urban Ecology Center at Washington Park VOLUNTEERS: 79 HOURS OF WORK COMPLETED: 316 WORK ACCOMPLISHED: Removed 76,230 square feet of invasive species, removed 625 pounds of trash and debris, reached 275 people through educational tabling. PHILADELPHIA, PA SITE: John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge VOLUNTEERS: 68 HOURS OF WORK COMPLETED: 272 WORK ACCOMPLISHED: Removed 300 pounds of trash. PITTSBURGH, PA SITE: South Side Park and McKinley Park VOLUNTEERS: 61 HOURS OF WORK COMPLETED: 244 WORK ACCOMPLISHED: Removed 1250 pounds of trash, removed 2,400 square feet of invasive species, maintained 200 feet of trail. SEATTLE, WA Find Your Park Day of Service SITE: Washington Park Arboretum (Seattle Parks and Recreation) VOLUNTEERS: 306 HOURS OF WORK COMPLETED: 1,224 WORK ACCOMPLISHED: Planted 12 trees, mulched 105 square yards, removed 13,100 square feet of invasive species. 5
BEAR MOUNTAIN, NY SCA Hudson Valley Corps SITE: Trailside Museums and Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park VOLUNTEERS: 35 HOURS OF WORK COMPLETED: 175 WORK ACCOMPLISHED: Provided hands-on educational and engagement opportunities for over 350 participants at the Bear Mountain State Park Earth Day Festival. NEW PALTZ, NY SCA Hudson Valley Corps SITE: NY State Department of Conservation Trees for Tribs Day DATE: April 29th, 2016 VOLUNTEERS: 23 HOURS OF WORK COMPLETED: 120 WORK ACCOMPLISHED: Potted 1,625 bareroot saplings for future planting. WASHINGTON, DC Find Your Park Day of Service SITE: Greenbelt Park (National Capital Parks East) DATE: April 30th, 2016 VOLUNTEERS: 359 HOURS OF WORK COMPLETED: 1,436 WORK ACCOMPLISHED: Removed 2.5 tons of trash and debris, painted 12 benches, repaired 3 boardwalk bridges, mulched 1,000 square feet of playground area, removed 300 square feet of invasive species, and maintained and improved 3 miles of trail. CHICAGO, IL Find Your Park Day of Service / ConSERVE Chicago SITE: Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore DATE: April 30th, 2016 VOLUNTEERS: 331 HOURS OF WORK COMPLETED: 1,324 WORK ACCOMPLISHED: Planted 1/2 acre of dune grass, improved 5 miles of trail, painted 400 square feet of the Bath House, removed 1,250 pounds of trash. 6
THE FACES OF SCA S EARTH DAY I loved the chance to work alongside so many people to make a difference. There was a spirit of unity. Our group of 6 blended into the larger work group of 300, with different races, languages, and religions, all concentrating together on the task of the day. This kind of thing was a little out of my comfort zone, but SCA made it comfortable, nice, and friendly. I would love to volunteer again. The best part was the sense of community. Everyone was so friendly! All the young people helping out! Such energy and excitement! I enjoyed all of it! Feeling part of a nationwide activity was exciting. This was a great experience for me to work to make our city beautiful. Loved the spirit, the beautiful location, and the variety of projects. I loved meeting and working with so many people from a wide range of backgrounds. I got to meet so many other passionate and friendly community members who were volunteering their time. It was good to see so many people giving the park the attention that it deserves. 7
THANKS TO ALL THE PARTNERS THAT HAVE COME TOGETHER IN SUPPORT OF SCA S EARTH DAY SERVICE EFFORTS NATIONWIDE. SCA IS THRILLED TO BRING TOGETHER SUCH A WIDE GROUP OF PARTNERS LOCAL AND NATIONAL, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE WHO BELIEVE IN THE VALUE OF DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATION LEADERS. Special thanks to our Find Your Park Day of Service partner American Express AmeriCorps National Park Service The Arboretum Foundation, Seattle Belle Isle Conservancy Corporation for National and Community Service Davey Tree Expert Company Economic Development South, Pittsburgh Gateway National Recreation Area Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Golden Gate National Recreation Area Greenbelt Park Houston Parks and Recreation Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge KIND Snacks Let s Move! Outside Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Massachusetts Service Alliance The Mission Continues National Capital Parks East National Parks Conservation Association National Parks of New York Harbor New Hampshire Audubon New York State Department of Environmental Conservation New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Seattle Parks and Recreation Trailside Museums and Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park University of Washington Urban Ecology Center at Washington Park, Milwaukee USFWS Houston Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle YMCA STUDENT CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION 4245 NORTH FAIRFAX DRIVE SUITE 825 ARLINGTON, VA 22203 THESCA.ORG 8