This project addresses the concept of environmental stewardship by developing methods to promote environmental volunteerism among older adults. The project explores the intersection of two important issues: concern about environmental sustainability and greater social integration of older persons. Over the past decade, awareness of environmental problems has increased. Parallel to this is the need to create opportunities for older adults to find meaningful roles in society.

A desired outcome of the Quality of Life for Individuals and Families Priority is improved social support and decreased isolation of elders, central to our proposal. We address the intersection of two issues of societal importance: increasing concern about the sustainability of the natural environment and greater social integration and community participation of older adults. In upstate New York, the number of elderly persons is growing while the non-elderly population remains flat. As well, inner ring suburbs in New York tend to have more elderly persons. The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) stresses a need for retirees to have meaningful roles in their communities and discusses the "Bonus Generation," (Baby Boomers who are actively aging) with a desire to contribute to the greater good. This Bonus Generation represents an unprecedented human resource. Because there is widespread concern on both the local and national levels regarding such issues as water quality, air pollution, toxic waste, and sustainable growth, citizen engagement in local environmental protection efforts and environmental volunteerism form an important and growing component of solving such problems. NYSOFA notes that change for elders also creates a positive community change, and our project will tap into that concept. We propose that civic engagement and elder friendly communities are inextricably linked, and our project will promote this connection while addressing environmental concerns.

Our overarching goal is to develop the Retiree Environmental Stewards Program (RESP) for retirees over age 60. We will develop, test, and disseminate a new model for creating environmental volunteer roles for older retirees. Major activities include:
1. Design the RESP. We will adapt a model from Rutgers University with two key elements: training in environmental stewardship and placing trainees in internship programs.
2. Recruitment Strategies. We will experiment with recruitment and marketing procedures for older environmental volunteers.
3. Implementation. We will implement the RESP in 4 CCE associations and 2 chapters of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).
4. Evaluation. A number of methods will be used to evaluate the program, including collecting data from participants, CCE professionals, and personnel from the agencies in which older persons are placed.
5. Dissemination. We will vigorously disseminate the program as well as evaluation findings.
We hosted a workshop with CCE educators last fall and included a colleague from the University of Utah who has worked in this area. As well, Bruce Barbour from Rutgers University, who developed a similar program for Master Gardeners, was central to the workshop and the development of our program. We have sought funding for the program from a variety of sources including Federal Formula Funds. A recent collaboration with CCE Associations in the Capital District is exploring funding opportunities from foundations in that area.

The program is in its beginning stages. Impact will be better assessed following activities in 2007.

Cornell University College of Human Ecology

• Karl A. Pillemer (Human Development)
• Nancy Wells (Design and Environmental Analysis)
• NIna Glasgow (Development Sociology)
• Bruce Barbour (Rutgers University)
• Scott Wright (University of Utah)