Are you 55 years or older, live in Beaver County and want to become involved in protecting our resources and educating the public on the natural world? If so, the new Beaver County Senior Environment Corps wants you.

The Beaver County Conservation District and Nature Abounds, a national environmental non-profit and organizer of the Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps, are working together to get the new group up and running.

Senior Environment Corps (SEC) members can participate in a variety of tasks from monitoring water quality, observing and reporting on wildlife, reaching out to others about how they can help the environment, and even aiding with office tasks.

The possibilities are endless.

“It is the District’s mission to preserve natural resources in Beaver County, and monitoring of water-quality is a key component,” said Jeff Leindecker, Beaver County’s Agricultural Conservation Technician and Nutrient Management Specialist.  “Computer models indicating water impairment are not always accurate, and we would like to put our resources where they can best be utilized.  We are excited to join the Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps.”

“We’re thrilled that Beaver County will have a new Senior Environment Corps,” said Melinda Hughes, Nature Abounds President.  “The new group will be part of the larger statewide Pennsylvania Senior Corps, whose volunteer members have been working hard to protect our natural resources since 1997, with over 2,000,000 hours served.”

“Seniors volunteers in Pennsylvania really do make a difference in our community and for our environment,” Hughes added.  “In fact, the value of the SEC program across Pennsylvania is estimated at over $3,000,000 a year.”

The first project of the new Beaver County SEC will be water quality monitoring, and a training will be held on July 21. 

If interested in becoming involved in the Senior Environment Corps program or if you just want to find out what being involved in the Senior Environment Corps program is all about, you are invited to attend.

For more information, visit the Nature Abounds Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps webpage or contact Melinda Hughes of Nature Abounds at either 814-765-1453 x203 or send email to: SEC@Natureabounds.org.

6/27/2016