The Downeast Lakes Land Trust (DLLT) is thrilled to be hosting a trail crew from the Student Conservation Association (SCA). 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. The SCA crew will be working in the Downeast Lakes region for three weeks, helping DLLT to build hiking trails and improve public recreation opportunities in the West Grand Lake Community Forest.
2016 SCA crew
Trail crew leaders Alexis Acar and Kara Roberts have a great deal of experience working for SCA, building trails on public land and leading young crew members. They both have a passion for the outdoors and take pride in working for SCA. The crew they are currently working with consists of high school students from all over the East Coast, many of whom have never visited Maine.
“I started working for SCA as a student crew member,” said Acar. “Becoming a crew leader has changed my entire outlook, and I really appreciate the opportunity to instill and pass along important conservation values to the next generation of stewards.”
“I’m an avid backpacker, and I hate to work indoors,” said Roberts. “As someone who hikes a lot, this work has given me a much greater appreciation for what makes a good trail versus a bad trail.”
In addition to trail work, the crew members will learn valuable lessons in safety, teamwork, and outdoor living. For more information about SCA, please visit www.thesca.org. If you see the crew in your summer travels, be sure to say hello and welcome them to Grand Lake Stream!