Student Conservation Corps

2012 BIMPRD Student Conservation Corps

Program: 

The Student Conservation Corps or “SCoCo” is a summer field work and conservation education opportunity for local High School students.  The Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park and Recreation District is offering 20 SCoCo positions as a part of ongoing stewardship efforts in our parks, in partnership with Sustainable Bainbridge and the Bainbridge Island Land Trust.   

The Student Conservation Corps is a successful part of a multi-pronged effort involving hundreds of volunteers, to manage the English ivy, scotch broom, and other invasive weeds which threaten the vitality and beauty of Island parks. In the past two years, SCoCo has made a significant dent in noxious plant infestation at Blakely Harbor Park, clearing ivy from over 4200 trees in 50 acres. Corps members have worked enthusiastically to make SCoCo the most effective weed control effort to date. The Park District has adopted this program to encourage youth to make a difference while gaining a paycheck for their contributions, and while learning the science and methodologies of protecting our habitat. Lunch break presentations bring locally sourced, cutting-edge conservation education to Corps members. Interested individuals must attend a March workparty and submit an application.  SCoCo members commit to a full summer session and two additional fall volunteer work parties. 20 students will be accepted for the 2012 SCoCo sessions.

SCoCo is made possible with support from the Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation, The Bainbridge Community Foundation and the AmeriCorps, as well as with contributions from generous community members.

Eligibility:  Open to individuals, age 15-18, who want to work hard to make a difference in our local environment.

Application process:

March 10th and 11^th Application Work Parties: Interested students must attend one of the two training work parties in order to apply. This is a volunteer activity and students may get community service credit for their hours. Interviews will occur during these sessions, and applications will be issued to students after these work parties. Applicants must attend one full work party, on either day, from 1:30 - 4 pm. We meet at the Pritchard Park parking lot closest to Rockaway beach on Eagle Harbor Drive. Applicants should come dressed to work, in pants and work shoes, with gloves and appropriate layers for warmth. We will meet, rain or shine.

March 25: deadline for application to be emailed to program director.

April 20: applicants will receive notification of 2011 Corps member lists.

May 15: accepted SCoCo members must confirm that they will take positions

SUMMER 2012 BIMPRD Student Conservation Corps:

SCoCo:  June 18th to July 3rd.     The Program will run for 12 days between the end of school and the 4th of July holiday on weekdays, 9:30 am - 2:30 pm.  Up to 4 positions may be added to the scheduled 20 positions, depending on extra fund-raising efforts, and a wait-list will be maintained.  Field work will take place at two or more Parks:  we will return for the third summer for weed containment efforts at Blakely Harbor Park, and move on to other parks according to need and Park District prioritization.

Salary information:  All SCoCo members will be paid $9.49, for four hours a day in each session, 10 minutes break is included in this time. One hour of unpaid break time is dedicated to conservation education and Corps members are expected to stay on site to participate.

Fall restoration work parties: Corps members must attend 2 out of 3 late fall sessions, dates TBA, for more restoration work, and  planting native vegetation before the winter rains. This is a volunteer commitment. Corps members assist in outreach efforts and field work.

Program leadership: 

Director: Barb Trafton has organized and directed SCoCo, beginning with the 2010 Pilot Program. She is a passionate defender of our local environment, and has served as a former board member and long time volunteer with the Bainbridge Island Land Trust, Weed Warriors, and the BIMPRD Trails Advisory Committee. She is also a coach for Bainbridge Island Rowing. Who knew this would evolve from a journey begun with an Art History/Visual Arts degree from PrincetonUniversity?

Assistant Director: Jonnie Dunne recently graduated from Willamette University with high honors and a B.A. in Environmental Science. He has applied the lessons in ecology he learned there to a number of research positions in Ecuador, the Willamette Valley, Mt. St. Helens, and the Mariana Islands. He is currently serving as an AmeriCorps intern in the role of Stewardship Coordinator for the Bainbridge Island Land Trust.  

Support the Student Conservation Corps:  Your donation to Sustainable Bainbridge, designated for SCoCo, will help to add up to 4 additional positions in the 2012 program, and will help cover costs of supplies, tools and native plants.

Thank you for helping restore Island habitat and landscape, while providing education and meaningful work for our young folks! To donate. click here. If you use the PayPal or credit card option, please send an email to the address below, confirming that the donation is for SCoCo, or if using a check, please write “SCoCo” in the memo line. Thank you very much!

Questions:  please email,