Student Conservation Corps didn’t find their new crew leader so much as he found his way back to them.

Since graduating from Bainbridge High School in 2008, Ian Shiach had earned two environmental science degrees, taught leaf transpiration to high schoolers and phenology – that’s the study of seasonal phenomena in the life cycles of animals and plants – to undergrads, and led youth conservation groups in the field. Now back on the island, he’d started volunteering in island parks.

Run SCoCo, the Park District’s summer youth stewardship program? Yes, he could do that.

“When we hired him, I made them promise they wouldn’t replace me,” joked Morgan Houk, Volunteer Program Manager for Bainbridge Metro Parks and a fellow 2008 BHS alum. “He’s incredibly qualified to do what he’s doing, and he’s been an awesome addition.

“He brings a knowledge of plants and biology that’s really unique, and I think the kids really enjoy […]