All posts by Rob

coal mining, environmental volunteers, Illinois, Robert Barossi

Volunteers Successfully Work to Stop a Coal Mine

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Rocks in Still Water(Photo by Robert Barossi)

by Robert Barossi

Right now, there are environmental volunteers working to stop the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline from snaking across our country, form Canada down to the Gulf of Mexico. Here in New England, there was a similar effort to stop a natural gas terminal from being built on the shore of Narragansett Bay. That effort’s victory came in part from all the tireless work of many volunteers, especially those who worked with Save the Bay, an environmental organization based in Rhode Island. These kinds of volunteer efforts happen all the time, around the world. This story out of Illinois describes another victory, this time for area residents who formed a group called Canton Area Citizens for Environmental Issues. These dedicated and passionate volunteers worked for eight years to stop a coal mine from being built in their region. It’s an exciting success story that demonstrates how an organized group of citizens can make their voices heard and have a real impact on what goes on in their backyard. And how they can protect the natural environment from destructive forces brought by industries such as coal mining.

If you’ve enjoyed any of the stories on this blog, check out m y book, Being Where You Are: How Environmental Volunteers Impact Their Community and the Planet Every Day.

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environmental volulnteers, New Jersey, Robert Barossi, Surfrider Foundation

Volunteering in All Kinds of Weather

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IMG_0620(photo by Robert Barossi)

by Robert Barossi

Recently, I posted a story about a couple of volunteers in New Jersey who showed up in frigid temperatures to pick up trash. Today, there’s another story about New Jersey volunteers who did not let weather stop them from doing important environmental volunteer work. This time, volunteers showed up in the rain to clean an area along the Jersey shore, just south of Atlantic City. The South Jersey Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation led the effort in Ventnor, where even the mayor pitched in and helped out. This great event proves again that dedicated volunteers will not let bad weather stop them from helping their community and the planet.

 

If you have enjoyed any of the stories on my blog, I hope you’ll consider downloading my eBook, Being Where You Are: How environmental Volunteers Impact their Community and the Planet Every Day:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

iTunes

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California, environmental volunteers, Robert Barossi, San Gabriel Mountains, Station Fire

Volunteers Help Land Recover After Wildfires

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Up a Tree(Photo by Robert Barossi)

by Robert Barossi

According to the USDA, the Station Fire in August of 2009 was, “the largest fire in Los Angeles County’s recorded history, burning a total of 161,189 acres – or nearly 252 square miles.” All these years later, the recovery effort is still ongoing and volunteers are right in the middle of it. This story out of the San Gabriel Mountains focuses on the important work volunteers are doing around the area of Big Tujunga Creek and Canyon. One of the major ramifications of the wildfire was that it opened the door for a takeover by invasive species. These invaders have moved in and caused serious problems, including the fact that they drain so much precious water from the land. One major aspect of the volunteers’ work is the removal of these water-draining invasive species, a much-needed effort  when California is dealing with severe drought.  Volunteers are also rebuilding or moving trails that were damaged in the fire and collecting acorns which will be grown into trees and replanted in the area to replace some of those which were lost in the fire. As the climate changes, wildfires may become more frequent and more destructive. If that happens, this kind of volunteer work may unfortunately become more and more necessary and common.

Click here for more information on Big Tujunga and its importance to the Los Angeles area.

If you’ve enjoyed any of the stories on this blog, please consider downloading my eBook, Being Where You Are: How Environmental Volunteers Impact their Community and the Planet Every Day:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

iTunes

BeingFinal

environmental volulnteers, New Jersey, Robert Barossi

Two Volunteers Against the Cold

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IMG_0455(photo by Robert Barossi)

by Robert Barossi

In a recent post, I mentioned that I was finding lots of volunteer stories from southern California and other sunny climates. Of course, even in the frigid winter months, volunteer work is essential and necessary, regardless of how low the mercury drops. This great story out of Vineland, New Jersey, features two volunteers who showed up for the Vineland Environmental Commission’s monthly volunteer day. Due to temperatures that dropped into the teens, the event got a much smaller crowd than usual. Still, these two dedicated volunteers arrived at the event ready to take on the cold and the litter that was lining the road along Bennett’s Mill Nature Area.

If you have enjoyed any of the stories on my blog, please consider downloading my eBook, Being Where You Are: How Environmental Volunteers Impact Their Community and the Planet Every Day:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

iTunes

BeingFinal

environmental volunteer, Minnesota Master Naturalist, Robert Barossi, Uncategorized

Volunteer Master Naturalists

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065_8A(Photo by Robert Barossi)

by Robert Barossi

Many organizations offer training programs for their volunteers. Often in conjunction with colleges, universities and/or state agencies, volunteers receive training and education in a number of relevant areas. I recall one volunteer I interviewed for my book talking about a chainsaw class, which would become useful for clearing downed trees from trails in the woods. This great story out of Minnesota describes one of the more extensive training programs that I’ve come across, the Minnesota Master Naturalist Program. Offered jointly by University of Minnesota and the Department of Natural Resources, the program has been active since 2005. Enrolled students get forty hours of classroom training as well as books and field trips, with classes offered throughout the state and focusing on the three major ecological regions of Minnesota. After taking the program, which does cost a fee but financial assistance is available, new Master Naturalists take their knowledge and talents to a wide variety of places, performing many different kinds of volunteer tasks. More information about the program can be found at the official website, minnesotamasternaturalist.org.

If you’ve enjoyed any of the stories on this blog, please consider downloading my eBook, Being Where You Are: How Environmental Volunteers Impact Their Community and the Planet Every Day.

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

iTunes

BeingFinal

environmental volunteer, Forest Unlimited, Robert Barossi, tree planting

Volunteer Tree Planting

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Up a Tree(Photo by Robert Barossi)

by Robert Barossi

Surprising to nobody might be the fact that all the volunteer stories I’m coming across today are from California, where the weather is warm and sunny. Here in New England, winter has finally arrived, with temperatures in the teens and single digits. Still, there’s no doubt that volunteers in this area are still out there, testing water quality, checking trails and keeping up with their important activities. For now, a look at one of those Californian volunteer tales, this one from Sonoma County in northern California. Volunteers are working with the group Forest Unlimited to plant redwood seedlings in an effort to “enhance and protect forests and watersheds.” The organization, which plants trees in a number of areas, makes sure that the new trees are placed in areas where they will survive and thrive, ensuring a positive ecological impact. While not always so carefully targeted, tree planting is an important task that volunteers or anyone else can easily take on no matter where they live.

Check out Forest Unlimited’s website for more information on their events and activities.

If you have enjoyed any of the stories on this blog, please consider downloading my eBook, Being Where You Are: How Environmental Volunteers Impact Their Community and the Planet Every Day. It’s available on:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

and iTunes

BeingFinal

Amalia Fernand, environmental volunteers, Nature Explorers International, Robert Barossi

International Environmental Educator and Volunteer

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IMG_0852_1(Photo by Robert Barossi)

by Robert Barossi

This article out of Michigan caught my eye for two reasons. First, of course, was the word “volunteer,” which I’m always looking for. The second thing was the reference to the fact that she’s hoping to publish a book about her volunteer experiences. Having just published my own book, I wish her an equal amount of success in that endeavor. Reading more about Amalia Fernand’s work, she’s certainly an inspiring person who is doing amazing work as both an educator and volunteer. Through her organization, Nature Explorers International, which she founded, she has taught environmental education to young children in seventeen countries all over the world. She is also currently serving as a long-term volunteer with Orangutan Foundation International in Borneo. On her GoFundMe site, Fernand describes the job, saying, “My position as the Long-term Communications Volunteer will involve documenting the happenings of the care center through photography and writing to share with the international community via their website, newsletter, adopt-an-orangutan program and social media.” This type of communications work is another way that volunteers can help environmental organizations, by spreading the word, especially through social media and the internet. It’s just another part of the great work that Fernand has been doing for some time and will hopefully continue doing as she brings environmental education to children everywhere.

If you’ve enjoyed any of the stories on this blog, please consider downloading my eBook, Being Where You Are: How Environmental Volunteers Impact Their Community and the Planet Every Day. It’s available on

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

and in the iBooks section of the iTunes store

BeingFinal

Robert Barossi

Some Very Exciting News

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Walk in the Woods(Photo by Robert Barossi)

by Robert Barossi

Now that the holiday season is over, It’s definitely time to get back to blogging here on a more regular basis. But, first, I wanted to share some great news. This blog was always meant to be a companion to the book that I wrote about environmental volunteers, a book that shares its name with this blog. That book started as my thesis project for my Master’s Degree program at Green Mountain College. Now, after three years of work, my eBook is available to purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo. It will be available at other, smaller, niche sites as well, but it’s in three of the big four right now (iBook is also hopefully coming soon). While it’s true that in this day and age, it seems like everyone is publishing and self-publishing books and eBooks, the amazing feeling of this moment is not diminished. This is easily one of the best moments of my life and one of the biggest achievements of my life. If you’ve read any of the stories here  on this blog, I hope you’ll consider buying my eBook (a printed version is planned and hopefully coming soon). In it you will find many more great stories of environmental volunteers, told in their own words. Writing it was some of the most rewarding work I’ve ever done and I look forward to sharing it with many of you.

You can download it at:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

and Kobo

It is also available through Apple, in the iTunes store, the iBooks section.

environmental volunteers, Robert Barossi, Williamstown Middle School Environmental Club

Young Environmental Volunteers are Honored

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Up a Tree

(Photo by Robert Barossi)

by Robert Barossi

The end of the year is a time for looking back at all the work that’s been done over the previous 365 days. It’s a time for assessing all of the achievements and successes that have taken place. And a time for recognizing some of the people who have been especially dedicated and determined in their efforts over the past year, who have consistently done impressive or inspiring work. This story out of New Jersey, about a group of environmental volunteers who were recognized, does all of that but it also does something else important at this time of year. It points to the future. These volunteers happen to be middle school students from the Williamstown Middle School Environmental Club, young men and women who are the future of our planet. They are the ones who will inherit it from us and will be charged with protecting and preserving it and every species on it. Looking ahead, we can and must hope that they continue to be passionate about the environment as they become adults and continue the kind of inspiring work they’ve done over the past year.

environmental volunteers, Iowa City Bike Library, Robert Barossi

Year’s End and Another Great Volunteer Story

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IMG_0504(photo by Robert Barossi)

by Robert Barossi

Looking back, it’s hard to believe that it’s been over a year since I started this blog. In October of 2013, I published my first post, a bit of an introduction to the blog and what I hoped it would achieve. Since then, it has achieved everything that I hoped it would and more. My sincere appreciation and gratitude goes out to everyone who has visited this blog, read a post, favorited or commented on a post, or shared a post on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. My goal was to spread the word about environmental volunteers and we have all done that, everyone of us who has read this blog. If one single person has read a post on this blog and then gone out and volunteered in their own community, then this blog has done exactly what I intended. If this blog has inspired one person to volunteer for our planet and it’s  preservation or protection, then all this work has been worth it. Of course, the work isn’t done. I am going into 2015 just as dedicated to this blog and book about environmental volunteers as ever. The eBook publishing process is well on its way and hopefully Being Where You Are will soon be available to download and read. I invite you to also go back an read previous posts and check out all of the inspiring stories that have been included here. They are all pretty amazing and every volunteer involved deserves our thanks and appreciation.

I’m also going into 2015 with a renewed interest in posting fascinating and unique environmental volunteer stories on this blog. There will, of course, be more stories of river cleanups and trail maintenance and water quality monitoring, all of the tasks that volunteers perform every day, in numerous places. I will also endeavor to find more stories that may be a little outside of the box, in terms of volunteers impacting our natural environment. One example is this great story about the Iowa City Bike Library, and the volunteers who work there. I love the concept of a bike library, where people can rent or borrow bikes, eventually giving up their rental deposit and taking ownership of the bike if they want. It helps to encourage people to ride bikes, rather than driving cars, and it keeps old bikes out of landfills for a while longer. Both of those can and will be beneficial for the local natural environment. While these volunteers may not be doing down-and-dirty work, deep in the wilderness, their work is absolutely having a positive environmental impact.

Check out the Bike Library’s blog to read more about what they do and similar community bike programs in the area.