Help the Environment and Get More Active

2024/12

Environmental Volunteerism for Older Adults: Benefits and Opportunities for 2025

By Beth Rush

Anyone with free time in their schedule can give back to the planet — including older adults. Volunteer opportunities exist throughout the country for those who care about the environment and want to lend a hand. Learn more about the benefits of environmental volunteering to determine if it’s something you’d like to do over the coming years.

Why Is Volunteerism Beneficial for Older Adults?

Volunteerism benefits older adults by getting them moving, providing a sense of purpose, and helping people meet new friends. Experts estimate that over 11 million Americans spent the day volunteering on any given day in 2022. Although you could support many notable causes, helping the environment might be your primary focus if you have sustainable values.

Benefits of Environmental Volunteering

Older adults can benefit from environmental volunteering in numerous ways. See if any might change your daily life in ways that could make it more meaningful.

1. You’ll Get More Physically Active

It’s much easier to pass the time while sitting when you’re not walking around a workplace or caring for little kids. Although there’s nothing inherently wrong with relaxing on your couch, you’ll feel better in your body by getting active.

Getting more physically active is among the many benefits of environmental volunteering. The extra movement could increase your strength and flexibility, which otherwise declines if your lifestyle is primarily sedentary. You can always talk with your primary care provider to choose volunteer ideas based on how much weight they recommend you lift or how long your doctor recommends that you stay on your feet.

2. You’ll Dedicate Yourself to a Good Cause

People tend to lose their sense of purpose once they reach the age of 55 due to various potential factors. You might retire from the career you loved or realize your kids are adults who don’t need you as much as they did when they were young. No matter the reason, you might enjoy the coming years more by dedicating yourself to a new cause.

Finding volunteer opportunities that align with your already present sustainable values is a simple way to make your life more meaningful. You can also help the environment even if you’ve never considered sustainability. Organizations are always in need of volunteers in their efforts to support the planet.

3. You’ll Meet New Friends

Volunteerism also benefits older adults because you’ll likely make new friends. Unless you choose a volunteer job where you work alone, you’ll spend your time with other people accomplishing the same task. Having close friends decreases your chances of developing depression or making your existing depression worse. It’s something to think about if you’ve noticed that you’ve started to feel sad as your life has changed in recent years.

4. You Could Get More Nature Exposure

If making friends doesn’t come easily for you, spending more time outside can also improve your mental health. Researchers found that nature exposure reduces depression symptoms through enjoyable factors like fresh air, sunlight, and seeing greenery all around you. You don’t need to be an extrovert to improve your mental health. All you need is an environmental volunteer role that makes you excited to help the earth.

5. You Might Create Intergenerational Activities

The people volunteering alongside you will come from all walks of life. You’ll meet individuals of all ages, which means volunteering could be a fun intergenerational activity. Bonding with younger generations fortifies your self-esteem as you age.

You could even use your volunteer opportunities as a family event if your loved ones live nearby. Invite your adult children, grandkids, nieces, or nephews to join you for a day. You’ll make new memories you wouldn’t otherwise share if you didn’t have a passion for environmental volunteerism.

Environmental Volunteer Opportunities for Older Adults

Your local community likely has environmental volunteer roles for older adults through your parks and recreation department. Check out a few inspirational opportunities if you’d rather get involved with nationwide organizations.

Spend Time With the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

All kinds of volunteer roles are available with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. You could use your birding hobby to watch for river hawks, help coordinate fishing events, or guide visitors staying at RV recreational stops. It depends on which of the benefits of environmental volunteering you’d like to experience the most. Some roles will be more active, while others will be more social. The good news is that they’re all necessary for the planet.

Contribute Your Skills to the National Marine Sanctuary System

You might find your next favorite volunteer job with the National Marine Sanctuary System. They recruit volunteers of all ages to help monitor water quality, scuba dive for research purposes, and even identify whales. Check out the national organization’s upcoming volunteer opportunities for older adults to find the best fit for your skills, interests, and geographic region.

Volunteer With the National Park Service

National parks are all over the country. No matter where you live, you likely live within driving distance of one. Spend more time in nature by volunteering as a museum guide or a campground host. You might also enjoy teaching complimentary classes on the cultural heritage where you live. It depends on which opportunities are available when you’re ready to get involved.