National park awarded Student Conservation Association medal

PORT ANGELES — The Student Conservation Association has awarded Olympic National Park its Founder’s Medal.

The park is one of the original partners of the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and the only park to provide young SCA stewards with service opportunities in each of the past 60 years, said Penny Wagner, interim spokeswoman for the park.

Margie Brown, chairwoman of the SCA board, presented the medal to park Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum at park headquarters in Port Angeles on Aug. 12.

The program also included remarks from SCA Founding President Liz Putnam, whose name and likeness adorn the Founder’s Medal.

The award recognizes exemplary efforts in advancing the engagement of youths and young adults in hands-on service to the land. Putnam is widely recognized as the Mother of the American Youth Conservation Movement, according to SCA.

The presentation coincided with SCA’s 60th anniversary.

Putnam introduced the proposal for a student conservation corps in her 1955 senior thesis at Vassar College.

Two years later, in 1957, with the aid of fellow Vassar alumna Martha Hayne (Talbot), the first 53 SCA volunteers reported for duty at Olympic and Grand Teton national parks, and SCA members have served at Olympic every year since.

“Since the very beginning, SCA has been about partnerships, teamwork and banding together to achieve something greater than yourself,” Putnam said.

“Service to nature and empowering youth are among our most noble callings, and that’s why it’s so rewarding to return to Olympic National Park and honor such a deserving medal recipient.”

SCA alumni who served at the park during the organization’s earliest years were in attendance for the ceremony.

“Many National Park Service employees today are alumni of the SCA,” said acting Superintendent Lee Taylor.

“The service of SCA volunteers across the country leaves a lasting impact on public lands and is often a stepping stone to a career in conservation.”

The event also included the premiere of a new documentary, “National Park Diaries,” which spotlights the work of SCA volunteers in parks from coast to coast.

More information on the documentary can be found at www.thesca.org/connect/blog/national-park-diaries.

More in News

Cheri Sanford of Port Angeles, right, hands a piece of metal debris to her grandson, Damien Millet, 9, after it was located with a metal detector and dug from the sand at Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles on Wednesday. They were combing the beach in search of whatever hidden treasures they could find. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Beach combing

Cheri Sanford of Port Angeles, right, hands a piece of metal debris… Continue reading

Six Peninsula school measures passing

Sequim voters approve bond, levy

Port Townsend, Chimacum pass school levies

Funds will support facilities, supplies, transportation

Counties can collect up to $1.80 of property tax per $1,000 of assessed value, but they are only allowed to increase their property tax collection amount by 1 percent each year, excluding new construction, without voter approval.
Clallam already eyeing 2026 cuts

If county can’t raise revenue, it may cut employees, services

Port Angeles School Board to conduct community conversation

Port Angeles School Board members will be available to… Continue reading

After-school art program returns to Stevens Middle School

Let’s Make Art, a free after-school program at Stevens… Continue reading

Department of Licensing offices to be closed

PORT ANGELES – The Department of Licensing office of the Clallam County… Continue reading

Voters approving all Peninsula school measures

Sequim bond passing with required supermajority

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Clallam County election workers Neva Miller, right, and Debbie Kracht, both of Sequim, open election ballots on Tuesday at the courthouse in Port Angeles.
Ballot sorting in Port Angeles

Clallam County election workers Neva Miller, right, and Debbie Kracht, both of… Continue reading

Jefferson County board to select interim sheriff

Chosen candidate will serve until next election

State funding challenges dominate legislative conversations

Multiple bills may have local relevance

PA’s Platypus Marine looks to expansion

Growth benefits local economy