Environmentally-Friendly Senior Volunteers Wanted for Summer Citizen-Scientist Program

Contacts:

• Mary Penney, NY Sea Grant, E: mp357@cornell.edu, P: 315-312-3042
  
• Ellen Wahl, RSVP, P: 315-312-2317

Oswego, NY, June 14, 2011 – The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at SUNY Oswego is looking for a few good seniors who enjoy the outdoors. The senior volunteer program is partnering with New York Sea Grant to recruit individuals 55 and older to staff information tables at two state-owned natural areas this summer.

Individuals 55 and older are needed for the new Oswego County Citizen-Scientist Volunteer Program to staff information tables at the Salmon River Falls Unique Area and Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area this summer. New York Sea Grant will provide volunteers with shirts, literature, chairs, tables and shade umbrellas to staff the welcome areas.

“The Oswego County Citizen-Scientist Volunteer Program will advance the regional stewardship initiative. The goal of the initiative is to provide information at local sites to encourage interest in proper stewardship of coastal ecosystems and our natural resources,” says Coastal Community Development Specialist Mary Penney with New York Sea Grant, Oswego, NY

The Salmon River Falls Unique Area has a 110-foot waterfall and expansive river gorge in the town of Orwell. Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area has an extensive barrier beach and sand dune system along Lake Ontario in the town of Richland.

Research demonstrates personal and community benefits can result from seniors being actively engaged in volunteer programs that support their interests and the interests of their local area.

RSVP offers opportunities in different interest areas including the environment, economic development, disaster relief, education, health and nutrition, human needs, and public safety. Volunteer scheduling is flexible. Contact RSVP Director Ellen Wahl at 315-312-2317, rsvp@oswego.edu.

To volunteer with RSVP at the Salmon River Falls Unique Area or Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area, contact Mary Penney at 315-312-3042, mp357@oswego.edu.

New York Sea Grant is a statewide network of integrated research, education, and extension services promoting the coastal economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and citizen awareness about the State’s marine and Great Lakes resources. New York Sea Grant is one of 32 university-based programs under the National Sea Grant College Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and is a cooperative program of the State University of New York and Cornell University engaged in scientific research, education, training and extension projects designed to foster science-based decisions about the use and conservation of our aquatic resources.

New York Sea Grant, now in its 40th year, is a statewide network of integrated research, education, and extension services promoting the coastal economic vitality, environmental sustainability and citizen awareness about the State's marine and Great Lakes resources. One of 32 university-based programs under the NOAA’s National Sea Grant College Program, NYSG is a cooperative program of the State University of New York and Cornell University.