The Future with SCA

Who will care for our natural resources in future years? Because many young people have had little experience in the great outdoors in recent times and some even fear nature, without their appreciation for wildlife and the environment, we risk losing our valuable natural resources.

As we have traveled full-time in our RV over the past 10 years, spending a great amount of that time living and volunteering on National Wildlife Refuges, we have encountered young men and women associated with the Student Conservation Association (SCA). Their passion and enthusiasm have encouraged us to believe that, yes, the younger generation continues to value and respect the lands set aside for the enjoyment of the public and the benefit of wildlife.

Mission Statement

“The SCA’s mission,” reports their Website, “is to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of the environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land.”

Our recent assignment at Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge brought us in contact once again with another SCA intern who gives us hope for the future. Nikki Szostak acquired her interest in nature as a child. “Going on hikes with my dad led me into this life,” she says.

With a large collection of encyclopedias in her family’s basement, Nikki could satisfy her curiosity on any subject whenever she wanted while growing up. “I was always curious,” she says. “We had computers when I was younger, but there was something about the hard copy book.”

Spending Time on Refuges

Nikki has spent months at a time at several national wildlife refuges, spraying for invasive species, helping to change oil and maintain equipment, manning the visitor center, creating and updating a calendar of events, planning interpretive hikes, and a myriad other projects handed to her.

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Nikki & Chuck developing a refuge walk
Nikki & Chuck developing a refuge walk

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Nikki & Betty exploring refuge
Nikki & Betty exploring refuge

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And recently she completed 40 hours of online classes, followed by a 3-mile “pack test” which involved carrying a 40 pound pack in 45 minutes, to qualify to assist with firefighting such as prescribed burns. Outfitted in green fire resistant pants, a yellow fire resistant jacket, and black helmet and carrying a hand-held drip torch, Nikki walked in a line parallel with other firefighters on a prescribed burn to “basically set the forest on fire to prevent any serious natural forest fire and to help the environment do its natural course.”

Gaining Experience

“I think SCA is an excellent way for students to gain experience,” says Juliette Fernandez, Assistant Manager of Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, “not only practicing the techniques required in this field, but also living in rugged conditions, showcasing their drive and starting a name for themselves in a professional realm.”

Whenever presenting a program to high school or college students, Juliette recommends that the students look into the SCA program or the Pathways program offered by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “When they finish school and are ready to start applying to jobs,” she says, “that experience and the positive recommendations from past refuge supervisors will be invaluable in this competitive market.”

Lake Woodruff NWR’s manager, Candice Stevenson, acknowledged Nikki’s contributions to the Refuge. “She has definitely been an asset in relieving me of several tasks that I can’t pay attention to so I can go to meetings and do other things.”

“The cool thing about SCA,” says Nikki, “is for youth to get experience. I’m not here to improve the refuge, but to learn as much as I can.”

“We need passion and care,” says Juliette, “and I think the people who join SCA do so for those very reasons.”

SCA Nikki Szostak
SCA Nikki Szostak

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