WASHINGTON —The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service today announced a record-breaking year for its Earth Team Volunteer Program with more than one million hours of service donated to conservation activities. Volunteers worked on thousands of conservation projects including streambank restoration; clean-up of rivers, streams and lakes; and outdoor classroom deveolpment.

“We are proud of our Earth Team volunteers who, in keeping with the spirit of the President’s USA Freedom Corps, are working with individuals and communities to protect and conserve natural resources,” said Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman. “These volunteers are an important part of our conservation delivery system and are just one example of how USDA employees are helping build stronger communities.”

The National Earth Team Status Report for fiscal year 2002 shows a 19 percent increase in the number of volunteers, a 17 percent increase in the number of volunteer hours and a five percent increase in the number of NRCS offices using volunteer services over the previous year’s figures.

For fiscal year 2002, the total value of volunteer time was more than $17 million, based on the $16.05 hourly rate established by nationally recognized volunteer organizations. The total amount invested nationally in the Earth Team is approximately $199,000, which gives NRCS a return on its investment equal to $86 for every $1 spent.

Since the Earth Team began in 1982, the number of volunteers has gone from 327 to more than 38,000 and the number of hours donated has jumped from 29,100 to 1,089,100.

“Earth Team volunteers will be particularly important as we move forward to implement the new Farm Bill and provide more conservation on private lands in the future,” said NRCS Chief Bruce Knight.

The Earth Team is NRCS’ volunteer program for those who are interested in conserving America’s natural resources and want to make a difference. Earth Team volunteers work with NRCS conservationists to provide conservation technical assistance to landowners and to help young people learn about conservation.

They also assist youth groups, professional societies or civic groups with local projects on water quality, community beautification and erosion control. In addition, volunteers work in NRCS offices to provide clerical assistance, organize computer data, prepare newsletters or educate others about natural resource conservation.

To volunteer or to get more information on the Earth Team, call (toll-free) 888-LANDCARE, visit the NRCS Web site at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/volunteers/ or contact your local NRCS office, which can be found at http://offices.usda.gov. More information about President Bush’s USA Freedom Corps can be found at http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov/

US Department of Agriculture

US Department of Agriculture

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