Elder Services’ involvement in environmental monitoring, restoration and education began in the winter of 1996 with Project Radon. Since then, Senior Environment Corps volunteers have continued to test homes on Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard for this invisible but lethal gas. Project Radon led to an affiliation with the Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement (EASI), a non-profit group that promotes the use of older adults to solve serious environmental problems. In 1998, EASI awarded our environmental program the official
designation of Senior Environment Corps.
All our members join the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) affiliated with Elder Services of Cape Cod & Islands, Inc., the Area Agency on Aging. RSVP is a nationwide program for adults aged 55 and older. There are over half a million RSVP volunteers nationwide. We place our members with non-profit organizations and local, state and federal government agencies.
RSVP volunteers have no required number of hours they must serve. The average is between five and 10 hours per week, depending upon the assignment. They are covered by free accident and liability insurance while on the job and while traveling to and from the assignment. Mileage reimbursement is also available for travel to and from the volunteer assignment.
A Fieldwork Coordinator arranges a member’s placement, training and supervision. Members can be assigned to one Service Partner at a regular time each week or they may elect to participate in several short-term projects lasting a few days, weeks or months.
Senior Environment Corps projects include:
Water monitoring
Wetland restoration
Species census
Radon testing
Invasive species monitoring
Environmental education
If you are interested in becoming involved in volunteer service to the environment please contact the Senior Service Corps at:
508-394-4630, Ext. 111
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