Environmental Alliancefor Senior Involvement

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Environmental Education Programs

Environmental education is a vital component of EASI programs because we recognize the urgency of passing on a positive environmental heriatage to future generations. In co-operation with host organization such as Retired Senior Volunteer Programs, senior centers, religious organizations, local governments, and others. Senior volunteers work in their own communities to share their environmental ethics with children. They work in local public school programs in hands-on activities that teach resource conservation and the need for clean air and water. They serve as docents and guides, and help develop environmental programs at museums, nature centers zoos and libraries as well as classrooms. They help urban children learn the delight of growing things in school or community gardens.

 
In Alabama, a local SEC takes youngsters in kindergarten through second grade on 20 environmental field trips a year, 125 children per trip, as a part of a project to preserve the natural beauty of their rural mountain lake community. SEC volunteers in Texas guide elementary school students daily through a program at the Elm Fork Education Center that offers hands-on activities in aquatics, archeology, astronomy and natural science.
 

All across the country, seniors mentor young people in activities such as stream monitoring, wildlife mapping and groundwater protection. Volunteers often become the primary source of information for a community about a specific environmental project or concern. Training is provided so that all volunteers feel confident answering questions about environmental concerns, demonstrating specific environmental education tools, and speaking in classrooms or community public settings. In their outreach to thousands of young people, senior volunteers teach and inspire new generations to become good stewards of the environment.