News.bytes Extra, issue 271

Students' “Awesome” Conservation Work on Public Lands Celebrated

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) celebrated its 50th anniversary by honoring its partnership with Federal land management agencies in California , including the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, and National Park Service. The group also awarded U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein its Founder's Medal for her continuing and strong support.

The celebration on Saturday, March 3, drew more than 300 people, and was held at the Presidio of San Francisco, part of the National Park Service's' Golden Gate National Recreation Area. In her remarks telecast from Washington , Sen. Feinstein congratulated the agency representatives, including BLM State Director Mike Pool, Forest Service Regional Director Bernie Weingardt, and NPS Regional Director Jon Jarvis. She also called the SCA participants the “land stewards of tomorrow.”

In his thanks, Pool cited the strong partnership that has developed between BLM and the SCA in California , calling them “an integral part of the landscape on the public lands.” He congratulated Elizabeth Titus Putnam, SCA founder, who was in attendance, for her vision 50 years ago as a Vassar student who wrote a paper on the importance of students working to conserve the environment. His comment to the students that they are "awesome" drew a rousing response from the young people.

BLM has highlighted SCA in a previous "Spotlight on Partners" item.

For more information on SCA, the50th anniversary and its programs, see www.thesca.org/

BLM California News.bytes, issue 271.