Information About Earth Team Volunteers

We Appreciate our Volunteers

NRCS honors the Earth Team volunteers who donate their time to the conservation effort. In New Jersey Earth Team Volunteers, working side-by-side with paid staff, plant the seeds of conservation today that will sustain our resources for tomorrow. Visit our Earth Team Gallery to see what your neighbors are doing for conservation in New Jersey! Thanks to our Volunteers for their good work. 

You can download our placement questionnaire. This document requires Adobe Acrobat.

Earth Team Volunteer Interest and Placement Summary (119 KB)

Why Volunteer for the Earth Team?

Volunteers are needed here in New Jersey to help battle soil erosion and other natural resource problems. People who join the Earth Team by volunteering their time and talents can help the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and local conservation districts achieve more conservation on the land while keeping federal costs down. Although there is no monetary compensation for your service, volunteers have the satisfaction of carrying out some of the most necessary work in this country. You will receive recognition for your work hours and will have legal and insurance protection for any work-related injuries.

Volunteer Gallery

Check out some of our current volunteers and see what they are doing to help the Earth. There is also a photo gallery of interesting projects.

Who Can Volunteer?

Anyone may apply to the Earth Team – retirees, students, professionals and non-professionals – anyone interested in conservation. You may work part-time or full-time, outdoors or in a local NRCS office. Anyone 14 years of age or older can join the Earth Team. A volunteer under 18 must have written consent from a parent or guardian. Groups of young people aged 14 and up can also volunteer to serve on the Earth Team. There is no upper age limit.

What Volunteers May Do

In volunteering to help NRCS protect the nation's natural resources, you will be personally involved in soil conservation activities at the grass roots level. NRCS, an agency of the US Department of Agriculture, helps farmers and other landowners and landusers in New Jersey to improve water quality, reduce wind and water erosion and promote good land use.

To see current openings for volunteer positions with NRCS in New Jersey, visit VolunteerMatch.

Where Volunteers Might Work

On the land with soil conservationists, engineers and others who are working with farmers and other land users in their efforts to conserve our natural resources. You can help them as they study the land and its water resources and plan conservation measures. You can help with field surveys and conservation planning and see the results of your work in more conservation on the land.

In schools – elementary, high school, vocation school and college. Explain the importance of understanding the interrelationships of plants, animals, soil, water and humans. Help teachers train students for land judging contests. Help schools plan outdoor classrooms where students learn about natural resources. Help students transform an eroded schoolyard into an environmentally acceptable playground. Introduce city school students to conservation through outdoor classrooms where they can analyze resource conditions and plant appropriate grasses, flowers and trees.

With organizations – youth groups, churches, garden and service clubs. Ecology and the interdependence of living things can be presented then put to practical use in outdoor activities. Clean a trash-filled creek in your hometown. Reclaim abandoned eroded land and turn it into a nature center or a playground.

In offices – where your NRCS or Soil Conservation District office may want to use your talents for organizing information, preparing newsletters, assisting with computer systems, or talking with other prospective volunteers. You may help keep the public informed of local conservation concerns.

How to Sign Up for the Earth Team

Contact NJ Volunteer Coordinator, Fran Grasso (609) 561-3223 for more information.

You can apply to your nearest NRCS Office or USDA Service Center. NRCS will give you an application form asking for any special qualifications, experience, interests and hobbies; your past or present employment; and the schedule you would like to work. You will be notified of your eligibility.

You can also see and express interest in current volunteer opportunities at NRCS in New Jersey by visiting VolunteerMatch.

Last Modified: December 28, 2007