Volunteers from the Student Conservation Association (SCA) added to the more than 2,000 miles of trails improved on public land and clocked almost 1,000,000 hours in conservation last month at the Hoosier National Forest.
SCA connects young people with an interest in natural resources to internships and seasonal employment at federal forests and grasslands. Four SCA volunteers travelled from northwest Indiana to improve the land and gain work experience last month.
“The students worked hard and showed a lot of interest in natural resource management and conservation stewardship,” said Luke Haworth, Hoosier National Forest developed recreation manager.
The partnership between Hoosier National Forest and SCA came through the Urban Connections Program, which provides interested urban residents with the opportunity to spend time in the wilderness.
The work done by the volunteers was needed, according to forest personnel, who said the strong storms over the summer downed many trees, blocking popular trails.
“During this recent hitch, our crew primarily focused on trail restoration work,” said Tony Kocoski, SCA crew leader. “We cleared out debris and fallen trees that rendered parts of many trails non-usable due to storm damage.”
For more information about SCA, visit thesca.org.
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Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
