GATLINBURG, Tenn., Aug. 7, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Student Conservation Association (SCA), a national force of conservation volunteers currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, will mark a major milestone when it names its 50,000th volunteer at Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Thursday, August 16.
Since 1957, SCA's high school and college volunteers have preserved public lands and restored the environment as biologists, botanists, trail workers and more. For the last several decades, the single largest unit of SCA members perennially has served at Great Smoky Mountains, thus it is no surprise this historical highlight should occur at the Smokies, says SCA Regional Vice President Reginald "Flip" Hagood.
"Each year, nearly 60 SCA volunteers benefit from a wide variety of meaningful field experiences and make many important contributions to Great Smoky Mountains," says Hagood. "This hands-on experience leads many of our members to pursue careers in conservation, and in fact, dozens of SCA alumni are now on the park's professional staff. This is a truly extraordinary partnership."
The 50,000th volunteer will be named at an SCA Alumni Reunion on Thursday afternoon at park headquarters, an event that will also include the presentation of a 50th anniversary award to park superintendent Dale Ditmanson, and an address by SCA Founder Elizabeth Cushman Titus Putnam.
"The milestone volunteer will receive a gift from our presenting anniversary sponsor, American Eagle Outfitters, but we are really celebrating all SCA members and alumni," Hagood notes. "Their service, their selflessness, and their stewardship have had a profound impact on our public lands and our society for the past half-century. And, as SCA continues to grow with partners like Great Smoky Mountains, so will the influence of these remarkable young men and women."
Since 1957, the Student Conservation Association's active, hands-on approach to conservation has helped to develop a new generation of conservation leaders, inspire lifelong stewardship, and save our planet. To learn more, visit theSCA.org.
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