NRCS is proud of the dedicated Earth Team volunteers and staff who have committed their time and talents to conserving and protecting our natural resources.
Mission:
It shall be the mission of the Earth Team to provide an effective volunteer workforce within the Natural Resources Conservation Service to help people conserve, improve, and sustain the Earth's resources and its environment.
Why be a Volunteer?
People volunteer with the Earth Team for a lot of reasons, but all Earth Team Volunteers have one thing in common: they want to help protect the natural resources in their communities. Other reasons people volunteer include:
- to enjoy working outdoors
- to help others
- to learn a new skill
- to pursue an interest in natural resources
- to gain work experience
- to complete a school project
- to meet high school community service requirements
- to enhance college applications and scholarship applications with volunteer service
Who Can Volunteer?
Anyone who is 14 years of age or older can volunteer their services to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
What Kind of Jobs Volunteers Do?
- Conservation Education
- Natural Resource Inventories
- Water Monitoring
- Computer Assistance
- Surveying
- Clerical Assistance
- Administrative
- Soil Science
Want to Be An Earth Team Volunteer?
Contact one of the volunteer coordinators below and they would be happy to help you sign-up!
For more Earth Team Information:
Still need to know more? call 1-888-LANDCARE. Let a friend know!
Meet Illinois Volunteers
Meet Earth Team Volunteer Elizabeth
Elizabeth joined NRCS for the day on November 26th to learn about the Earth Team Volunteer Program. David Hahn, Soil Conservationist, says “She wanted to find out what we do here at NRCS.”
Meet Earth Team Volunteer Hannah
High school senior Hannah Pannell offers her helping hand. Hannah has been volunteering and helping the Whiteside County Team on a regular basis since August 2015.
Meet Earth Team Volunteer Katelynn
Katelynn was instrumental in efforts of both the NRCS and local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in Normal, IL to target conservation practices in the City of Bloomington’s water supply lakes.
Illinois Earth Team Contacts
| Name | Position | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lisa Pate
|
State Volunteer Coordinator
|
||
|
Allison Ocepek
|
Area 1 Volunteer Coordinator
|
||
|
Lesley Grayson
|
Area 2 Volunteer Coordinator
|
||
|
Karla Higginbotham
|
Area 3 Volunteer Coordinator
|
||
|
Katie Smith
|
Area 4 Volunteer Coordinator
|
