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.
About the Earth Team:
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.
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What Kind of Jobs Volunteers Do?
- Conservation Education
- Natural Resource Inventories
- Water Monitoring
- Computer Assistance
- Surveying
- Clerical Assistance
- Administrative
- Soil Science
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Publications and Success Stories:
Meet Illinois Volunteers:
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Meet Earth Team Volunteer Elizabeth-Hurley-Bluett
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.” She is currently a sophomore at Iowa State University studying Forestry and Horticulture. Her family is from northern Ogle County and she indicated she is interested in continuing as an Earth Team Volunteer this coming Summer if conditions allow. Read more... |
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Meet Earth Team Volunteer Bob Jankowski
Bob Jankowski, former District Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is still hard at work serving the agricultural and urban communities of Will and South Cook Counties in northeastern Illinois. Jankowski worked with the agency for more than 30 years but even after he retired, he can’t get away from doing good things and offering his knowledge, experience, and the most valuable commodity of all—his TIME—and keep doing good things for the land. Read more... |
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Meet IL Earth Team Volunteer - Ruth Wheeler
I was born on my grandparent’s farm and raised on my parent’s dairy farm Northeast of Mt. Vernon (a farm with Centennial Farm Status). I was my Dad’s “hired hand” until I graduated from high school. When I left home, Dad sold out the herd. I was a legal secretary for 50 years and when I retired, I had many choices of how to occupy my time. read more... |
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Illinois Earth Team Volunteer - Gary Grams
Gary Grams doesn’t let grass grow under his feet….Gary came to the Morgan County NRCS office over a year ago after reading an article written in the local newspaper about a new program where farmers could bring water samples into the office and test for nitrates. Gary, a retired Chemistry professor at Illinois College and a recent certified Master Naturalist with the University of Illinois Extension Service, was a perfect match. read more... |
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Meet IL Earth Team Volunteer - Hannah Pannell
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, her entire senior year. read more...
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Meet IL Earth Team Volunteer - Katelynn Clement
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. read more...
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Meet IL Earth Team Volunteer - Jaylynn Maxey
University of Illinois Crop Sciences junior Jaylynn Maxey, digitizes and scans documents and imaging for technical soil services and compliance. read more...
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| Meet Earth Team Volunteer Steven Clairmont |
| Meet Earth Team Volunteer Sydnie Lowder |
| Meet Earth Team Volunteer Debyante Porter |
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Want to Be An Earth Team Volunteer?
IL NRCS State Earth Team Volunteer Coordinator (TBA) or call 217.353.6600.
Use our Service Center map to locate and contact NRCS staff in your county to learn about local volunteer opportunities.
Illinois Earth Team Contacts:
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Earth Team Forms:
The following document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view.
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For more Earth Team Information:
Still need to know more? call 1-888-LANDCARE. Let a friend know!
National Earth Team Volunteer Website
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