A breathtaking aerial view of the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve in Alaska. This photo was taken by Student Conservation Association intern Devdharm Khalsa, who got to see the park in most spectacular fashion while documenting the work of a National Park archaeology crew this summer. “The sight I saw as we helicoptered into the park was awe-inspiring. Pristine rivers — the surface glittering like thousands of diamonds — flowing hundreds of feet below us, vast mountain valleys, towering peaks and patches of boreal forest dotted the tundra landscape. It was a dream come true for me.”
All this week, we’re featuring photos taken by studentconservationassociation (SCA) members. A non-profit that connects young people with conservation service opportunities on public lands across the country, SCA has interns and conservation corps members in all 50 states — providing students with the opportunity to work with rangers and biologists to protect, restore and promote public lands.