USDA-NRCS VOLUNTEERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON THE LAND

SC NRCS Salutes Earth Team Volunteers During National Volunteer Week

April 17, 2009, Columbia, SC—Would you like to answer the call to serve by working on natural resources projects that beautify your community? Would you like to assist farmers in protecting their natural resources, or even write articles highlighting the importance of soil and water quality protection?

If so, the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Earth Team Volunteer Program in South Carolina has these and many other opportunities.

April 19-25, 2009, is National Volunteer Week and this year’s Earth Team Volunteer theme is “Answer the Call to Serve.”

NRCS State Conservationist Niles Glasgow says, “If you want to become involved in your community by volunteering, the Earth Team in South Carolina has opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, office workers, environmentalists, or students.”

The NRCS Earth Team Volunteer Program, created in 1985, offers individuals 14 years of age or older the chance to help the land. With ever-increasing workloads and a declining workforce, volunteers are essential to helping NRCS carry out its mission. They help NRCS conservationists with diverse activities—from providing conservation technical assistance to teaching and generating awareness about conservation through community projects—by working on the land, in schools, with organizations, and in field offices. They help with natural resource projects that improve water quality, beautify communities and reduce erosion. They also contribute clerical, computer and writing skills in NRCS and Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) offices across the nation.

Additional information on the Earth Team Volunteer Program is available online at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/volunteers or call 1-888-LANDCARE, or contact SC NRCS Public Affairs Specialist Amy O. Maxwell.

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