Volunteer follows conservation ethic to Fort Scott National Historic Site

Thursday, July 10, 2008

The Great Outdoors has always lured people for a variety of reasons. But more and more young people are heading to places like Fort Scott National Historic Site because it's the right thing to do. They want to give back to the environment and community while exploring possible careers in conservation.

Alaina Williams, an intern with the Student Conservation Association (SCA), from Charleston, S.C., just finished a three month museum internship; she learned about the care and accountability of artifacts, environmental control, how to put a museum exhibit together, and much more.

As needs outpace budgets on America's public lands, the efforts of SCA volunteers have become essential. Some 50,000 youths have volunteered through SCA since 1957, and National Park Service Director Fran Minella recently stated that "we can't do without SCA." The energy and idealism of the volunteers allows federal and state land-management agencies, as well as non-profit organizations, to meet the needs of the public in ways which wouldn't otherwise be possible. Williams, 23, is serving at FSNHS in order to make a meaningful contribution to its museum as well as its historical interpretive program for the public.

"I chose this internship because it was focusing on the museum field and the National Park Service, both of which I am considering going into as a career. I wanted to use the time between graduating and graduate school to determine if it was the right path for me. I've really had an excellent experience at Fort Scott and have learned so much in the three short months of my internship."

SCA members learn a 'conservation ethic' through their hands-on service which ultimately benefits the integrity and history of our National Park sites, the land, as well as the individual. In fact, 60 percent of SCA interns go on to successful careers in many areas of conservation, but at minimum the Student Conservation internships encourage most to be come lifelong stewards of the land.

The Student Conservation Association is dedicated to encouraging a new generation of conservation leaders, advancing the land ethic, and helping to conserve our nation's natural and cultural resources. The organization places nearly 3,000 high school, college and graduate student members in the field each year, and they provide more than 1.5 million hours of conservation service in national parks, forests and other public lands.

For more information, contact Kevin Hamilton at (603) 543-1700, ext. 185, or via email at khamilton@theSCA.org, or visit the SCA website: www.theSCA.org.