Student Conservation Association, Southwest Airlines Team Up Once Again to Support Environmental Stewardship

WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 5, 2014 /3BL Media/ - The Student Conservation Association (SCA) and Southwest Airlines today announced their work together is “nonstop and gaining altitude.” SCA, the national leader in youth service and stewardship, and Southwest, the Official Airline of SCA, have renewed their alliance through 2015.  The two-year extension boosts Southwest’s total support and services for SCA to more than one million dollars.

“Southwest Airlines is proud to support the mission of the SCA and help engage young volunteers in service from national parks to local communities,” said Linda Rutherford, Vice President of Communication and Outreach at Southwest Airlines.  “Just as important, SCA gives Southwest Employees opportunities to work with them in preserving and improving the great outdoor places that mean so much to the communities where we live and work.”  

The renewed alliance comes as Southwest starts its six-city “Message to the Field”, the airlines’ annual tour to address and speak with Employees across the nation.  This year, for the first time, “Message to the Field,” will also include an opportunity for Southwest Employees, friends, and family to engage in volunteer service projects the morning of each Message.  Southwest Airlines Employees will join with local SCA students in Orlando, Atlanta, Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas, and Las Vegas to conduct native planting, remove invasive species, and spruce-up parks.

“Southwest Airlines is always among the greenest performers in their field, and their commitment extends to community as well,” said SCA President Dale Penny.  “SCA looks forward to rolling up our sleeves with the teams from Southwest to protect local parks and wildlife, and we are very grateful for their continued generous support of the next generation of conservation leaders.”

Through the sponsorship, Southwest provides financial support for SCA programs engaging under-served urban youth as well as free air travel for hundreds of SCA volunteers and staff throughout the year.  Southwest Airlines also is a signature sponsor of nationwide SCA volunteer events on key service days including Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Earth Day, SCA Founder’s Day, the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, and Veterans Day, and Southwest Airlines Employees regularly participate in these service projects. 

Southwest and SCA began their relationship in 2009 when Southwest was first named SCA’s Official Airline.  Two years later, they teamed up and embarked on the “Conservation in Action” Tour, which mobilized thousands of students, staff, and other volunteers in 40 outdoor projects in 25 Southwest cities.  Teams created a defensible fire zone around the Houston Arboretum, maintained hiking trails in Phoenix, mitigated erosion at Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens in Washington, D.C., and more.

About SCA
The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the only national organization that develops tomorrow’s conservation leaders by providing high school and college students with conservation service opportunities in all 50 states, from urban communities to national parks and forests.  Since 1957, SCA’s hands-on practice of conservation service has helped to develop new generations of conservation leaders, inspire lifelong stewardship, and save the planet.  SCA is a non-profit headquartered in Washington, DC and maintains regional offices in Boise, ID, Charlestown, NH, Chicago, IL, Houston, TX, Oakland, CA, Pittsburgh, PA, and Seattle, WA.  For more, visit thesca.org. 

About Southwest Airlines Co.  
In its 43rd year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by nearly 45,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually.  Southwest is the nation’s largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded and operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world to serve 96 destinations in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and five near-international countries via its wholly-owned subsidiary, AirTran Airways.  Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for its triple bottom line approach that takes into account the carrier’s performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities it serves, and its commitment to efficiency and the planet.  The 2012 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at southwest.com/citizenship.