“I was brought up to believe that land is a trust and that we are all responsible for taking care of this earth. I was also taught that life itself is a privilege and that we must always give something back. As my father said, ‘If something needs to be done, pitch in and help out.’ I believe we all can make a positive difference with our lives.”
In 1955, while a student at Vassar College, Liz Putnam read an article describing the worsening condition of America’s national parks: understaffed, under-resourced, and increasingly being “loved to death” by post-war “baby boom” families. Liz promptly crafted her senior thesis around the idea of a “student conservation corps”—a modern-day Civilian Conservation Corps that would mobilize young people to complete natural resource conservation projects on public lands as they learned new skills and gained new perspectives.
Two years later, under the direction of Liz and colleague Martha Hayne Talbot, the first SCA volunteers reported for duty at Grand Teton and Olympic National Parks. Launching the American youth conservation movement would be an ambitious endeavor today but considering that Liz accomplished this feat more than 60 years ago as a young woman in a culture dominated by older men, makes her and her achievement all the more remarkable. SCA would grow from its humble beginnings in two national parks to annually deploy thousands of young stewards at more than 500 federal, state, and municipal sites, where they render more than 1.3 million hours of conservation service.
Today, Liz remains SCA’s premier ambassador and honorary director, and she has received numerous awards for her efforts including the Interior Department’s Conservation Achievement Award, the National Audubon Society’s Rachel Carson Award, and the Garden Club of America’s Margaret Douglas Medal. At the White House in 2010, President Barack Obama presented Liz with the Presidential Citizens Medal, among the nation’s highest civilian honors.
Welcome to the Student Conservation Association’s New York State Parks Corps! We’re so excited that you’ve chosen to join us for the 2025 season. You’re part of our largest cohort yet! The Program Managers and I are thrilled to see what this year has in store.
Whether you’re coming from near or far, I hope that you find a new home here in New York State. It’s an absolutely beautiful place, filled with wonderful people. From the rocky shores of Lake Ontario to the hemlock forests of the Finger Lakes, there's a magnificence about upstate, and I'm excited for you all to experience it firsthand. Your upcoming term of service will not be easy, but it very well may be one of the best experiences of your life. As a New York SCA alumni myself, I look back on 2016 with nostalgia and adoration, and I hope the same type of experience for all NYS Parks Corps members.
Looking forward, we have so many important feats of service to accomplish this season. I can't wait to see what we do as a group; it's amazing what twenty dedicated individuals can achieve! Just know that I'm here, as your biggest supporter and a helping hand, throughout this season. Thank you again for your dedication and time.
Founded in 2017, the New York State Parks Corps program is a ten-month residential program focusing on environmental education, trail maintenance and construction, volunteer coordination, invasive species removal, and dune restoration. Members live with one to five other members in a state park and are supervised day-to-day by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation staff.
NYSPC members share a residential community where they live and work alongside one another for the duration of the season. They gather together for trainings and events, explore New York State Parks, and develop a sense of comradery and shared experience. Members who successfully complete the program will receive high quality trainings and professional development support from SCA staff. Members also gain valuable professional connections with NYS OPRHP, extensive experience delivering environmental education and interpretation, and leadership experience.
Members of the SCA NYS Parks Corps program use trail skills, restoration techniques, interpretive skills, carpentry skills, and hard labor to complete an array of projects aimed at protecting and enhancing the lands and cultural resources of New York State Parks.
The SCA NYS Parks Corps program supports the mission of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation: to provide safe and enjoyable recreational and interpretive opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors and to be responsible stewards of our valuable natural, historic and cultural resources.
Recalling the rich conservation history of SCA also compels the recognition of the work of generations of Indigenous People who value and care for the lands, waterways and shorelines of North America. We acknowledge that because of systemic exclusion from management, decision-making, and sharing of education, there has been strain in relationships between drivers of the conservation movement, Indigenous People, and other socially marginalized groups. As we continue the important work toward conservation, it is imperative to acknowledge all of our history in order to name the oppression, practice environmental justice, and navigate our work with integrity and inclusion.
The SCA New York State Park Corps and Hudson Valley Corps programs have a geographic range over the entirety of upstate New York. We acknowledge that this is unceded Indigenous land, specifically the homeland of the Haudenosaunee, a democratic government that pre-dates the United States Constitution. We acknowledge today’s Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Tuscarora, Oneida, and Lenape communities. We acknowledge the genocide and continued displacement of Indigenous peoples during the colonial era up to the present day. Today, these communities continue to contribute to the life of this region and to celebrate their heritage, practice traditions, and care for the land and waterways as sacred. This acknowledgement demonstrates a commitment to beginning the process of dismantling the ongoing legacies of colonialism through active training.
The SCA's mission 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.
Bold Vision: Co-powering the next generation of conservation leaders requires unwavering vision, innovation, and execution. We think and act creatively and are resolved to write new stories. We challenge prevailing ideas of what’s possible to create new opportunities and meet the needs of our members and the communities we serve.
Respect of the Land: We commit to being well-informed environmental stewards and recognize that our work transforms lives and lands. We strategically use our resources and strengths to respond to urgent ecological issues such as climate change, environmental justice, and equitable access while protecting and preserving our natural, cultural, and historical resources.
Integrity: We strive to uphold the highest standards of work ethic, honesty, and authenticity. Our passion drives us to work with urgency and to hold each other accountable. We consistently ask how our choices support our mission, our members’ social and emotional development, the communities we serve, and our Partners.
Belonging & Inclusion: Our differences – when embraced with awareness, self-reflection, care and respect – drive better decisions, stronger performance, and a culture where everyone can comfortably be themselves. We continuously design our culture to invite the best in each individual to reach their fullest potential.
Collaboration: We value team over the individual as our success is driven by our ability to break silos and connect across teams, functions, and geographies. We build purposeful relationships grounded in cooperation and a shared vision and have no tolerance for behaviors that are discourteous, aggressive, or tear others down.
New York is split into two distinct areas: New York City and Upstate New York. Traditionally, "upstate" New York is everything north of New York City, with the exception of the Hudson Valley Region and the Catskills. (It's up for debate...)
While Upstate is made up of midsize cities (Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany, etc.) there’s no comparison in size or population to NYC. The region’s lakes, mountains, trails and fall foliage make it easy to plan the perfect getaway. Residents can enjoy living in the suburbs, while still being in proximity to downtown areas and outdoor adventures. Here's a quick rundown of the cities within the range of the NYS Parks Corps:
Buffalo- Buffalo has seen a massive renaissance over the last few years and offers residents endless things to do. Its waterfront features new restaurants, bars, bike lanes, kayak tours, free outdoor yoga, and more. Residents will also tell you how much they love their football, chicken wings, beef on weck, and holiday celebrations like St. Patrick’s Day, Dyngus Day, Pride, and more. Buffalo is also booming with education and technology. It’s one of the top places for entrepreneurs and startups. But the best part? Its people. For an excellent reason, Buffalo is known as the City of Good Neighbors.
Rochester- With popular events and celebrations like Rochester Fringe Festival, Rochester International Jazz Festival, Rochester Lilac Festival, and more, there’s no shortage of things to do in the city of Rochester and the surrounding area. If you’re a foodie, you’ll also love the city for its abundance of bars and restaurants to explore. Its close proximity to the Finger Lakes region also makes it a popular destination for wine trails and craft breweries galore. Don’t forget to try Rochester’s iconic garbage plate! Rochester offers a great cost of living and ample job opportunities.
Ithaca- Located at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes Region of New York state, Ithaca is a quaint college town with 25,000 acres of public land for hiking, biking, and outdoor recreation. Known for its many state parks, gorges, hiking trails, and impressive collection of 150 beautiful waterfalls, Ithaca is one of the best places to live if you’re outdoorsy. Ithaca’s proximity to these educational institutions makes it a phenomenal place if you’re heading off to college for the first time or looking to start a new graduate program soon. Given Ithaca’s prime location in the Finger Lakes region, you’ll also find over 30 fantastic wineries and microbreweries to try, plus an impressive restaurant and bar scene in the city center.
Syracuse- Syracuse’s downtown district is small and walkable. You won’t want to miss Armory Square, a strip packed with restaurants, bars, shops, and more. Syracuse is also home to Destiny USA, the sixth-largest shopping mall in the United States. Syracuse is the educational and economic hub of Central New York, with prestigious Syracuse University and a variety of career opportunities throughout the area. It’s only four hours from New York City and a short drive to Saratoga Springs. Compared to similar metro areas, Syracuse also comes at a more affordable price.
Watertown- Watertown is the largest city in New York State’s North Country Region and is located in close proximity to Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, and the Canadian border. Watertown has something for everyone. It features a walkable, historic downtown, close-knit neighborhoods, a beautiful park system, and a diverse array of arts and cultural amenities. For the outdoorsman, the local area has boating, fishing, rafting, hiking, and camping!
So why do people move to Upstate New York, specifically? In the Upstate region of the state, scenic parks double as residents’ backyards (while nearby cities are only a short drive away). The state also has endless events for families all year long, whether you’re a museum-goer, foodie, or outdoor adventurer. Some quick notes:
Nature- Getting outside is good for the soul and for mental health. Adirondack Park, located in Upstate New York, offers over 100 mountains, 2,000 miles of hiking trails and 3,000 lakes.
Health- When it comes to healthy eating, it’s never been easier for Upstate New York residents. This is partly due to the fact that the number of farmers’ markets have skyrocketed over the last decade, with NY having the most markets per state in the country.
Safety- Some of the safest cities in New York state can be found in the Upstate region, especially in comparison to New York City.
Seasonality- Two words: Fall foliage. Upstate New York’s picturesque scenery is to die for. In fact, all of its seasons are. While many states experience mild changes in weather patterns, New York residents are lucky enough to experience four distinct seasons.
Resiliency- No city or state will be spared from the effects of climate change, but Buffalo and Syracuse come close. The cities are positioned on the "cold" side of the Great Lakes, leading to an abundance of fresh water, a minimal wildfire risk, a lower chance of being impacted by hurricanes/tornadoes.