View all editions of weekly HVC updates below.
Hello SCA HV Members and Supervisors,
We are back from WFA training! I want to give a big thank you and shout-out to all our members who received their WFA and CPR certifications. Please see our updates below:
⁕Quick Links:
SCA NY Landing Page: https://sites.google.com/view/scanys/home
Member Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1yMNiDDMZeKKD9oUhdBeOIT3HFsCpjvVt
Partner Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SZ6FmEG0USKV1Fwdltg6lj02fb7TzaO0
Reimbursement Requests: https://www.cognitoforms.com/thestudentconservationassociation1/programreimbursement
⁕Member To-Do:
Hours are to be submitted by EOD 3/27 or 3/28. Please check and make sure all hours are submitted from 3/1-now. It is the end of the month, and we need to submit timecards to AmeriCorps.
It is the end of the month! Please go in and submit your metrics in your Google Output Log.
When you receive your OPRHP, DEC, or Non-Profit email, please send the address so I can update your contact records.
Please complete an ERP for your host site and provided housing. We need this back ASAP! Template is available in the shared drives.
Please fill out the Earth Day Events RSVP. You are expected to attend at least 1 Earth Day event.
Please fill out this form if you are interested in joining an LNT Training at Allegheny State Park in partnership with Parks Corps this summer: SCA NY "LNT Level 1 Training" In-Person at Allegany State Park – Fill out form
⁕Supervisor To-Do:
Please approve your member’s timecard by 11:00am on Monday, 3/30. If unable to, please reach out to your program coordinator. It is the end of the month, and we need to submit timecards to AmeriCorps. We will reach out if we have any discrepancies.
⁕Upcoming Events:
Maple Weekend at Sharpe! 🍁
If you’re interested in sticking around after WFA to volunteer with Sharpe for their annual Maple Celebration on 3/28 please reach out to Julian Morgan ASAP at jmorgan@freshair.org! It is also FREE to attend! More information here: https://freshair.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Maple-Flyer-2026-Sharpe-Reservation.pdf
Earth Day
The Environmental Cooperative at the Vassar Barns is hosting an Earth Day Celebration on April 18th from 10:00am to 1:00pm. They are looking for 3 volunteers to help with the event (set-up, education, tear-down). If interested, please note that in the survey.
The DEC Region 3 office in New Paltz, NY will be hosting a potting-up event for the Trees for Tribs program April 24th and 25th. Members will be working with DEC staff, volunteers, and community members to pot up a multitude of woody tree species that will then be delivered and planted along the multiple tributaries of the Hudson River. More info to come! This is a great time to get your hands in the dirt and provide some much-needed volunteer service!
The Trailside Museum and Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park will be hosting a tabling event on April 25th from 11:00am to 3:00pm. More info will be sent out regarding registration as we get closer. This is a wonderful event where park goers can learn all about our parks, preserves, and natural spaces while spending a day exploring the zoo.
Scenic Hudson will be hosting a volunteer day to support the Pollinator Gardens at West Point Foundry Preserve on April 25th. More details to follow.
Please remember to attend at least one event as Earth Day is a National Day of Service. This is an SCA and AmeriCorps requirement. Please fill out the survey in the Member To-Do section.
LNT
We are looking into new possibilities for our members to receive their LNT Certification this year – our Park Corps Coordinator Zachary Russell is working on doing a large, joint LNT Training with Parks Corps in person this summer at Allegheny State Park in the western part of the state. Please indicate your interest in this form here: SCA NY "LNT Level 1 Training" In-Person at Allegany State Park – Fill out form
Patriot’s Day of Service Project
With our program starting a little later, I want to put a reminder in for our Patriot’s Day of Service project in September. If you have larger scale projects where you think our full corps can be utilized, work with your member and have them submit a project proposal! These projects are usually 3-4 days where all 40+ members come together to problem solve, get hands on experience in conservation, and improve our land across the Hudson Valley. If you have a project in mind, reach out! I love discussing these things. A dedicated email with timeline will be sent out next week.
⁕Member/Partner Spotlight:
I want to give a shout-out to all our members for completing and receiving their WFA and CPR certifications! It was a jam packed three days, but you all came eager to learn and created and safe and fun environment to learn in. I heard a lot of laughs and great questions. You all make these events what they are, so thank you for a great training!
⁕Resources:
SCA MAP Program: SCA provides the Member Assistance Program (MAP) to ALL members. This includes 24/7/365 telephone support, a mobile app with chat function, and video counseling with certified counselors. Download the app at mylifeexpert.com. The access code is americorps. You can call the MAP program at 1-800-451-1834. The flyer is on the Member Shared Drive.
FREE Breath-Body-Mind Sessions: Explore breathing, relaxation, and gentle movement techniques during Breath-Body-Mind practice sessions. You can join these virtual sessions from work, at home, or any comfortable location. They help reduce stress, give your body a chance to reset, and better prepare you for whatever your day may bring. Breath-Body-Mind practice sessions are available to all New Yorkers free of charge, thanks to the NYS Office of Mental Health. English sessions are on Tuesdays at 6:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 8:00 PM. Here is the link: https://tinyurl.com/mrx87u84
If you need to reach out to me for any questions, comments, concerns, or to chat, please use my office hours link below:
Book time with Andrew Crowe: Office Hours
Best,
Andrew Crowe (he/him/his)
Program Coordinator
The Student Conservation Association, Inc.
Hello SCA HV Members and Supervisors,
I hope you all had a healthy, safe, and fun weekend! Please see updates for the week below:
⁕Quick Links:
SCA NY Landing Page: https://sites.google.com/view/scanys/home
Member Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1yMNiDDMZeKKD9oUhdBeOIT3HFsCpjvVt
Partner Drive: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SZ6FmEG0USKV1Fwdltg6lj02fb7TzaO0
Reimbursement Requests: https://www.cognitoforms.com/thestudentconservationassociation1/programreimbursement
⁕Member To-Do:
When you receive your OPRHP, DEC, or Non-Profit email, please send the address so I can update your contact records.
Please complete an ERP for your host site and provided housing. We need this back ASAP! Template is available in the shared drives.
Fill out the WFA RSVP ASAP: https://forms.gle/7WS7ExM9K1wTJuP26
Please fill out this form if you are interested in joining an LNT Training at Allegheny State Park in partnership with Parks Corps this summer: SCA NY "LNT Level 1 Training" In-Person at Allegany State Park – Fill out form
⁕Supervisor To-Do:
Please approve your member’s hours today, March 16th
⁕Upcoming Events:
Wilderness First Aid 3/24/2026 – 3/26/2026
Wilderness First Aid training will be held at Camp Hidden Valley within Sharpe Reservation (436 Van Wyck Lake Road, Fishkill, NY, 12524) from 9:00 AM on March 24th to 4:00 PM on March 26th.
Please carpool and use an agency vehicle if possible. Mileage will be reimbursed for personal vehicle use.
All members will be expected to stay on site for the duration of the week as this is an intensive and full training. If you opt to not stay on site, you will only be reimbursed for your travel once to/from the training.
Members who have considerable travel distances do have the ability to arrive as early as 4:00 PM on March 23rd and stay as late as 11:00 AM on March 27th. Please indicate this on the survey so we know you’re coming!
You will have access to a single bed in a shared bunkroom, and with shared bathrooms. No linens or pillows are provided so please bring your own. If you have an issue with shared accommodations, please indicate so in the survey! We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
We will be providing all meals for everyone from lunch on 3/24 – lunch on 3/26. (L, D on 3/24; B, L, D 3/25; B, L 3/26) If you have not reported an allergy or dietary issue to us, please do so immediately. There is access to a small fridge if you feel the need to bring private food.
DO NOT BRING ANY NUTS OF ANY KIND TO THE TRAINING. We have several severe allergies – including airborne, so we cannot have any nuts on the premises.
Please refer to Andy’s email for additional details and packing instructions
Maple Weekend at Sharpe! 🍁
If you’re interested in sticking around after WFA to volunteer with Sharpe for their annual Maple Celebration on 3/28 please reach out to Julian Morgan ASAP at jmorgan@freshair.org! It is also FREE to attend! More information here: https://freshair.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Maple-Flyer-2026-Sharpe-Reservation.pdf
Earth Day
The Environmental Cooperative at the Vassar Barns is hosting an Earth Day Celebration on April 18th from 10:00am to 1:00pm. They are looking for 3-4 volunteers to help with the event (set-up, education, tear-down). If interested, please let me know!
The DEC Region 3 office in New Paltz, NY will be hosting a potting-up event for the Trees for Tribs program April 24th and 25th. Members will be working with DEC staff, volunteers, and community members to pot up a multitude of woody tree species that will then be delivered and planted along the multiple tributaries of the Hudson River. More info to come! This is a great time to get your hands in the dirt and provide some much needed volunteer service!
The Trailside Museum and Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park will be hosting a tabling event on April 25th from 11:00am to 3:00pm. More info will be sent out regarding registration as we get closer. This is a wonderful event where park goers can learn all about our parks, preserves, and natural spaces while spending a day exploring the zoo.
Scenic Hudson will be hosting a volunteer day to support the Pollinator Gardens at West Point Foundry Preserve on April 25th. More details to follow.
Please remember to attend at least one event as Earth Day is a National Day of Service. This is an SCA and AmeriCorps requirement. We will send out an email and survey for Earth Day events.
LNT
We are looking into new possibilities for our members to receive their LNT Certification this year – our Park Corps Coordinator Zachary Russell is working on doing a large, joint LNT Training with Parks Corps in person this summer at Allegheny State Park in the western part of the state. Please indicate your interest in this form here: SCA NY "LNT Level 1 Training" In-Person at Allegany State Park – Fill out form
Patriot’s Day of Service Project
With our program starting a little later, I want to put a reminder in for our Patriot’s Day of Service project in September. If you have larger scale projects where you think our full corps can be utilized, work with your member and have them submit a project proposal! These projects are usually 3-4 days where all 40+ members come together to problem solve, get hands on experience in conservation, and improve our land across the Hudson Valley. If you have a project in mind, reach out! I love discussing these things.
⁕Member/Partner Spotlight:
We have some new members joining us in the coming weeks, so please give a warm welcome to Jenna Toro, Betty Petasky, Olivia Maxey, and Heather Procyk!
⁕Resources:
SCA MAP Program: SCA provides the Member Assistance Program (MAP) to ALL members. This includes 24/7/365 telephone support, a mobile app with chat function, and video counseling with certified counselors. Download the app at mylifeexpert.com. The access code is americorps. You can call the MAP program at 1-800-451-1834. The flyer is on the Member Shared Drive.
FREE Breath-Body-Mind Sessions (Thanks to PC Zac Russell for finding this): Explore breathing, relaxation, and gentle movement techniques during Breath-Body-Mind practice sessions. You can join these virtual sessions from work, at home, or any comfortable location. They help reduce stress, give your body a chance to reset, and better prepare you for whatever your day may bring. Breath-Body-Mind practice sessions are available to all New Yorkers free of charge, thanks to the NYS Office of Mental Health. English sessions are on Tuesdays at 6:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 8:00 PM. Here is the link: https://tinyurl.com/mrx87u84
Women’s History Month
In celebration of Women’s History Month, I would like to highlight Mary Anning - whose excavations of several species of dinosaurs and Mezozoic reptiles in the early 19th century shaped the history of Darwin’s theory of evolution and our understanding of Earth’s geologic past. Mary’s rise to fame first came from her discovery and excavation of the first intact Plesiosaurus skeleton (see Loch Ness Monster) in 1823. After the discovery was authenticated (by a man) she became somewhat of a celebrity – opening a fossil shop called Anning’s Fossil Depot in her hometown of Lyme Regis, England. This attracted paleontologists, collectors, and tourists from all over. She went on to discover more species including pterosaurs, Ichthyosaurus, and an ancient fish species calls Squaloraja – thought to be the transitional species between sharks and rays.
Anning taught herself geology, anatomy, paleontology, and scientific illustration. Despite her lack of formal scientific training, her discoveries, local area knowledge, and skill at classifying fossils in the field earned her a reputation among paleontology’s male and largely upper-class ranks. Nevertheless, Anning was not given full credit for many of the fossils she excavated and scientists were hesitant to welcome her into their community. Collectors donating specimens to institutions tended to be credited with their discovery. Of the many specimens she found and recovered, several were described in prestigious journals without even a mention of her name. However, some famous scientists of the time, such as British geologist Henry De La Beche and British paleontologist Gideon Mantell, did credit her in their work. (S/O allies).
Mary’s story illustrates the challenges that female scientists still face to this day. Nevertheless, it also serves as an inspirational story of persistence in the face of oppression, resourcefulness and the importance of self-assurance. In 2010, she was named one of the most influential women scientists in British history by the Royal Society. There are several remarkable women in the field of Paleontology to be recognized today! You can find a few of their stories here: https://dino-world.com/5-women-in-paleontology-who-are-breaking-new-ground-literally-4-9775/
Take care,
Helena Mazurek
Hudson Valley Program Coordinator
The Student Conservation Association, Inc.