Colorado

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has a lot to celebrate in 2005. It marks the 70th anniversary of the agency and its continued commitment to conservation on private lands and the 20th anniversary of the agency's Earth Team volunteer conservation program.

"Both anniversaries reflect the agency's long standing commitment to the nation's natural resources and the people who volunteer on behalf of that commitment," said Allen Green, State Conservationist, Lakewood, Colo. "Our mission to conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources is just as critical today as it was in 1935 when the agency was commissioned."

The Earth Team Program, created in 1985, offers all types of opportunities to anyone over the age of 14 who is interested in volunteering and making a positive difference for the nation's natural resources. Earth Team volunteers help NRCS conservationists provide everything from conservation technical assistance to teaching and generating awareness about conservation through the use of community projects. Volunteers often can be found helping with projects impacting water quality, community beautification and erosion control. In addition, Earth Team volunteers can work in NRCS offices providing clerical, computer, and writing skills.

In fiscal year 2004, more than 40,000 Earth Team volunteers nationally donated more than 950,000 hours to conservation. In Colorado, 2,897 volunteers donated 44,992 hours.

"We at the NRCS are proud of the dedicated volunteers and employees who have committed their time and talents to conserving and protecting soil, water and wildlife for their community and everyone in it," said Green.

Additional information on the Earth Team volunteer program and other NRCS programs is available online at www.nrcs.usda.gov.

Date: 4/21/05