(Photo by Robert Barossi)

by Robert Barossi

In many places, environmental volunteers are performing unusual and unique tasks. There are without question many different roles they can play and a wide range of things for them to do. On the other hand, many volunteers are doing the same kinds of things over and over again, in many different locations. While it would be nice to have problems end so that their work isn’t needed anymore, that just doesn’t happen. And when I’m looking for environmental stories, it’s typically the same kinds of stories I see over and over again. For example, this wildlife rehabilitation story out of Texas, so similar to the work being done by rehab volunteers around he world. Or it might be another great story of volunteers doing anything they can to clean up a local river or waterway, this one in Maryland. While it’s inspiring and exciting to see some of the more unusual and fascinating things environmental volunteers do, it’s important to remember the equally inspiring dedication and passion they bring to the same kinds of jobs, repeated over and over, wherever the work is necessary.