
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is celebrating National Volunteer Week by thanking and honoring its statewide network of Earth Team volunteers for their service to conservation.
Earth Team is a program that allows NRCS to stretch available resources by partnering volunteers with employees to provide a wide range of services to private landowners and the public. These services can include conservation technical assistance, office support and teaching and generating awareness about conservation through community projects.
“The Earth Team has been growing volunteers for 35 years now, and we’re all reaping the benefits,” said State Conservationist Jack Bricker. “Whether they donate a year, a month or a lifetime to conservation, this cadre is improving the environment for today and tomorrow. This past fiscal year, more than 1,800 Virginians donated about 16,000 hours working alongside NRCS staff to provide resources to farmers and landowners.”
Created in 1985, the Earth Team offers many opportunities to individuals 14 and older who are interested in volunteering to improve the nation’s natural resources.
Learn more about Virginia’s program by visiting the NRCS website.