Student Conservation Association Teams with Enterprise Rent-A-Car to Eradicate Invasives in Parks and Forests Across U.S.
Charlestown, NH – May 13, 2010 — The Student Conservation Association (SCA), a national leader in youth service and stewardship, today announced its partnership with the Crawford Taylor Foundation in alliance with Enterprise Rent-A-Car on a nationwide initiative to protect native plant communities threatened by invasive species.
Exotic, non-indigenous species quietly disrupt and often destroy native ecosystems, costing the U.S. economy more than $100 billion annually. About 42% of the species on the federal Threatened or Endangered Species lists are at risk primarily because ofinvasive species. The SCA-Enterprise effort will focus on national parks and forests where native plant life is most threatened. Starting in May, SCA interns will map, inventory, restore and revegetate at least 75,000 acres of public lands and conduct a broad range of community volunteer and education activities.
“Enterprise is proud to be partnering with SCA as an extension of our company’s long-term commitment to conservation,” says Chrissy Taylor-Broughton, assistant vice president for Enterprise Rent-A-Car and board member of the Crawford Taylor Foundation. “The restoration of native plants by SCA interns will have an immediate and positive impact on the land, and their outreach assures a long-term community impact as well.”
The joint SCA-Enterprise program will engage more than 100 college-age individuals in habitat restoration, invasive plant eradication, and environmental education at iconic American landmarks including the Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, and Cibola National Forest. In addition to the environmental benefits, participants will gain new proficiencies through service-learning experiences and develop professional, personal and group leadership skills.
“Native plants are under siege across our nation,” says SCA President Dale Penny. “Without mitigation, exotics will further imperil our wildlife and watersheds, and change the face of the American landscape. SCA is grateful to Enterprise for their vision and generosity, and together we will make a difference on this important environmental issue.”
SCA’s experience combating invasive species spans two decades. This year’s native plant initiative will begin in May and continue through December in more than 17 parks, forests and communities.
Updated 05-13-2010
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