Nature’s Green RemedyHelping Find Balance Between Man & Nature

All through the 2008 Presidential Election, Barack Obama stressed the need for each of us to increase our community service as volunteers; a clear fit with a green living lifestyle.

By volunteering for environmental change, you not only get to assist in protecting your areas natural environment but you also have the opportunity to share new experiences, gain more skills, meet great people and expand your existing network.

Even more importantly, expressing your green living lifestyle through environmental volunteerism enables you and your fellow volunteers to make a real difference in your community.

As volunteers work on projects in the community, they help educate local residents about new ways to reduce waste, alternatives courses to reuse materials, how to enhance or develop recycling programs and about innovative composting techniques.  The possibilities seem nearly endless!

How to Start Volunteering for Environmental Change

Since active involvement is key, there are several factors you should think about when researching environmental volunteer opportunities including:

• Make a list of the activities you are good at and enjoying working on;
• Whether you want a regular, ongoing position or a one-time/short-term project;
• How you want to work.  Do you enjoy working alone, in groups with new people or with family/friends?
• What are the types of things you want to learn when you volunteer;
• Do feel you are ready to start in directly without any training?
• Are you willing to participate in a training program for a particular project; and
• Are there certain types of settings or people you prefer to work with?

Once you have defined the key factors defining your preferred working conditions (remember these are unpaid positions and require dedication through completion so you have to stay committed), what then?

Local Groups and Organizations Coordinating Environmental Volunteer Programs

• The municipal solid waste management program.  They typically coordinate the areas recycling facilities and household hazardous waste initiatives;
• Community volunteer coordinator (check municipal health/environmental dept.);
• Any Master Gardner or Master Composter program in your community;
• Groups like local Scout, FFA or 4-H chapters or county extension offices
• Local office of the USDA – Natural Resource Conservation Service;
• Environmental groups in local high school or colleges; or
• National environmental groups with offices in your region.

Most of these groups can be indentified either through local phone directories or a series of Web searches.  Other sources of information include advertisements in local newspapers, local radio/television stations or community bulletin boards.

Following is a live link list (click on name to access site) for several national environmental volunteer organizations:

• The WaterKeeper Alliance;
• Action Without Borders;
• Citizens’ Environmental Coalition;
• Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement;
• Keep America Beautiful;
• National Wildlife Federation;
• Student Conservation Association.

So learn how to extend your green living lifestyle through community service by volunteering for environmental change.

You and your community will be glad you did!