DALLAS, June 8, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Twenty Dallas area high school students will spend the summer in local parks and nature preserves completing outdoor conservation projects through a six-week citywide high school program managed by the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and funded in partnership with the Darden Restaurants Foundation (Olive Garden), The Meadows Foundation, and others. Now in its second year, the program is designed to increase environmental awareness while providing local youth with paid summer employment, leadership opportunities and team-building skills to promote conservation and the enhancement of the region's natural resources.
Comprised of students from Dallas area high schools, program participants submit applications January through April and receive a monetary stipend for their work on summer conservation crews, with the added benefit of weekly environmental education days, community service hours, job skills and career development. Students can be recommended by school teachers, counselors or community members, while many applicants are drawn to the program with a strong interest in the environment and contributing to their local communities. Building and maintaining trails, bridges, staircases and removing invasive plant species, the high school summer conservation program runs from June 11th through July 20th.
Students participating in the program are split into two teams of ten for intensive projects scheduled at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary, Cedar Ridge Audubon Society Nature Preserve, White Rock Lake and the Texas Discovery Gardens. Environmental education days will include the study of ecosystems, conservation principles and environmental awareness, as well as a 4-day recreational camping/hiking trip at program's end; a first for most of the students, including their first trip outside of Dallas.
SCA is a nationwide conservation force of college and high school volunteers who protect and restore America's parks, forests, and other public lands. For nearly 50 years, SCA's active, hands-on approach to conservation has helped to develop a new generation of conservation leaders, inspire lifelong stewardship, and save our planet. To learn more, visit www.theSCA.org. Information about The Olive Garden and Darden Restaurants can be found at http://www.dardenrestaurants.com. Information about The Meadows Foundation can be found at http://www.mfi.org.
The Student Conservation Association logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3693
Editors: Contact SCA Dallas Program Manager Dana Ecelberger at 214-442-1633 or decelberger@thesca.org to arrange site visits to conservation service projects, photo opportunities and/or student interviews.