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How to Get Involved
You can make a meaningful impact on the planet, leveraging your time, knowledge, and skills through environmental volunteering.
Key Points
- Help build a better world for future generations. Volunteering for the environment is a powerful way to leave a lasting, positive impact.
- You have a lifetime of knowledge and skills to offer—and there’s always something new to learn in the environmental space. It's a two-way street of growth and giving back.
- Environmental volunteering is a great way to make new friends, stay socially engaged, and feel part of something bigger.
- Your time and experience can directly improve your neighborhood and the planet—from planting trees and reducing pollution to supporting climate resilience in your community.
Why Get Involved?
As an older adult, you have a tremendous opportunity to make a lasting impact on the environment, while staying active, engaged, and connected to your community. Your time, expertise, and life experiences are highly valued by environmental organizations, community groups, and government agencies. Whether you want to stay active, connect with others, or contribute to a cause you care about, environmental volunteering offers a meaningful way to give back.
Ways to Get Involved
- Join a local conservation effort.
Many organizations need volunteers to help restore habitats, maintain parks, or plant trees. Look for local environmental groups, nature preserves, or community gardens where you can lend a hand.
- Get involved with an older adult-focused climate organization.
Some organizations are dedicated to engaging older adults in climate action. Visit CIRCA’s Aging and Climate Organizations page to discover groups that empower older people to lead and participate in the climate movement.
- Advocate for climate and environmental policies.
Your voice matters! Older adults can be powerful advocates for environmental policies at the local, state, and national levels. Attend town hall meetings, write to representatives, or join an environmental advocacy group.
- Educate and mentor younger people.
Pass on your knowledge to younger generations by leading environmental education programs, hosting workshops, or mentoring young activists. Schools, libraries, and nonprofits often welcome experienced volunteers to help teach sustainability and conservation.
- Support sustainable lifestyles.
Help your community adopt more sustainable habits by promoting recycling programs, assisting with composting initiatives, or organizing local clean-up events. Small actions add up to big changes!
- Engage in citizen science.
Contribute to research by participating in citizen science projects. Help track bird migration, monitor air and water quality, or document plant and animal species in your area. Many projects can be done from home or during outdoor walks.
- Volunteer for climate disaster response.
If you're interested in emergency preparedness, consider volunteering with organizations that assist communities affected by climate-related disasters. Training is often provided, and roles range from community outreach to hands-on rebuilding efforts.
Finding the Right Opportunity for You
Identify Your Skills and Interests
Most organizations encourage their volunteers to bring their skills, talents, and passions to their volunteer roles. When looking for an opportunity, ask yourself:
- What excites and motivates me?
- How do I prefer to spend my time?
- What personal and professional strengths and experiences do I bring to the table?
- What kind of legacy do I want to leave?
- Are there any tasks I want to avoid due to physical limitations or personal preferences?
By thinking about what you would enjoy and taking stock of your strengths, you can find a fulfilling and valuable volunteer opportunity.
Consider Your Commitment Level
Before you start your search, determine how much time you want to dedicate to volunteering. Look at your calendar and consider your other commitments, leaving time for other things in your life including leisure time and self-care. Avoid over-committing yourself by having a clear idea of how many hours per week or month you can reasonably contribute.
Research Opportunities
Start local and ask yourself:
- Are any of my family or friends involved in organizations that interest me?
- What natural resources are located in my community?
- Are there any government or non-profit organizations that spark your interest?
Expand your search:
The Internet is full of resources on volunteer opportunities. Try a web site like Volunteer Match to look for volunteer roles in your area.
Take a look at our list of organizations that are specifically focused on climate and aging!
As you think about your options, keep in mind the places and people that make you feel the most energized. Be intentional about identifying opportunities that fit with your own personal goals. This will help you find a volunteer opportunity that makes you feel more fulfilled in the long run.
Reach Out
Once you find an opportunity that interests you, contact the organization and inquire about the role. Ask about:
- The specific tasks involved
- The time commitment expected
- The organization's mission and work culture
- The impact volunteers can have on the cause
Give It a Trial Run
When you find an opportunity that interests and energizes you, it’s a good idea to try it out first. Ask if you can start by volunteering for a one-time volunteer event or a short-term position to determine if the role is a good fit. If you like it, you can share your long-term goals and make a bigger commitment.
Five Pro Tips to Find a Rewarding Volunteer Opportunity
1. Know your skills.
Over the course of your life, you’ve accumulated knowledge and experience that would be an incredible asset to many organizations. Think about what skills you have to offer.
2. Know your passion.
What excites and energizes you? How do you want to spend your time? Reflect back on your life experiences to the times when you felt most fulfilled and see out a volunteer opportunity that taps into those same feelings.
3. Be realistic about your availability.
Communicate with your volunteer coordinator about your level of commitment. It can be best to start small; you can always dedicate more time later if you like.
4. Keep an open mind.
Volunteer opportunities can be novel experiences, and it’s never too late to discover something new that you enjoy! Maybe you will find a type of work that you never realized that you love. If not, keep those lines of communication open with your volunteer coordinator so that you can try something else.
5. Details are important.
Thoroughly research organizations you are interested in and, if possible, talk to some current and former volunteers. What is the culture of the organization? How to they pursue their goals? Does their mission match with your personal beliefs?
Ready to Get Started?
Find an opportunity that fits your skills, interests, and schedule, and take the first step toward making a lasting impact today!
Visit CIRCA’s Aging and Climate Organizations page to discover groups that empower older people to lead and participate in the climate movement.
Most communities offer dozens of ways to engage in climate advocacy. Reach out to:
- A local land conservation organization
- An older-adult focused climate
- A local watershed management group
- A cooperative extension office
- An area science or nature center
- Your local trail maintenance organization
- A National organization such as Americorps
- Online platforms such as volunteermatch.org