Student Conservation Corps
View the ScoCo 2024 Annual Report!
Discover the impact of our dedicated student conservationists in the 2024. Student Conservation Corps Annual Report. Explore special projects, testimonies, and photos showcasing our team’s efforts and conservation initiatives. Click below to view the report and be part of our mission for a more sustainable island.
How to Apply
1. Attend an Interview Work Party – Applicants must attend one work party. Register to attend here.
Interview Work Parties will occur at Sakai Park–1560 Madison Ave, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 on:
· Tuesday, 4/15, 4:00pm-6:00pm
· Tuesday, 4/22, 4:00pm-6:00pm
· Monday, 5/5, 2:00pm-4:00pm
· Saturday, 5/10, 1:00pm-3:00pm
2. Submit an Application – Complete an application online.
Session Info
Crews work 9:30a-2:30p each weekday with one paid 15-minute break and a one-hour unpaid lunch break. Crews are expected to stay on site for all breaks and participate with the day’s educational speaker.
2025
Student Conservation Corps (SCoCo) is a paid Bainbridge Island Metropolitan Park & Recreation District employment opportunity enhanced with conservation education for local High School age students. SCoCo brings the energy and passion of youth to local environmental work through three program components:
- A series of spring interview work parties
- Three paid summer sessions
- Fall volunteer restoration work parties
The employment SCoCo provides to youth in our community develops a new generation of environmental stewards while making progress in the battle against noxious weeds in Bainbridge Island parks. SCoCo members work to control invasive plant species in our island’s parks and protected open spaces, achieving goals outlined in the Park District’s Invasive Plant Management Plan. During the three summer sessions, local educational speakers provide conservation education and career advice to SCoCo members during their lunch hour.
For more information, please get in touch with Program Manager, Sierra Kross, at sierrak@biparks.org.
New! Neurodiverse SCoCo
Neurodiverse Student Conservation Corps provides neurodivergent high school-age young adults (15-21) with an employment learning opportunity, incorporating outdoor education and hands-on learning in conservation work in Bainbridge Island parks. An expansion of our popular Student Conservation Corps Program, Neurodiverse Student Conservation Corps serves a need identified for a supportive environment where neurodivergent young adults can learn job skills necessary to pursue career and educational opportunities in conservation after high school.
Eight neurodivergent young adults and eight peer mentors learn from Park District staff during a 12-day summer session in 2025, while completing conservation projects in Bainbridge Island parks, like removing invasive species, mulching native plants, or maintaining trails. Lunchtime speakers from the community share career advice with crews.
The goal of Neurodiverse Student Conservation Corps is to link hands-on outdoor education with job training for neurodivergent teens. Teens will leave Neurodiverse Student Conservation Corps with applicable job skills, greater social and emotional skills, and a deeper understanding of careers in their community in natural resources and conservation.
If you know a teen who is interested in working with us this summer, please contact Adaptive & Accessibility Coordinator, Cody Ogren at codyogren@biparks.org