BUSH ADMINISTRATION LAUNCHES ONLINE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP EVENTS AND SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
USDA Volunteer Opportunities Included

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2003 -The Bush Administration has launched EarthDay.gov , a Web site that provides Americans a comprehensive guide to environmental service opportunities and Earth Day events sponsored by the federal government, including events hosted by USDA agencies. The site is the first interagency effort to create a comprehensive federal resource for citizens who want to participate in Earth Day and other year-round environmental activities.

President Bush has asked all federal agencies to support volunteer service this Earth Day. "In the three decades since the first Earth Day celebration, our air is cleaner, our water is purer and our natural resources are better protected. We have learned from our successes and are putting that experience to work at the federal, state and local government levels. Additionally, all Americans can help protect our natural resources by being good stewards of our air, water and land," said President Bush.

"A healthy environment leads to a healthy agriculture and forest system. There are many opportunities for the public to participate in programs to reduce soil erosion, conserve water and improve the quality of our natural resources," said Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman. "This website provides useful information about volunteering for a variety of programs sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other government agencies."

Visitors can search the Web site by state and region to find community service opportunities and Earth Day events where they live. In addition to events, it allows visitors to download classroom curricula and find additional information about the environment. EarthDay.gov also allows visitors to directly access the large database of environmental service opportunities that are part of the USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network. The USA Freedom Corps is President Bush's initiative to engage Americans in volunteer service.

The Web site includes links to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Earth Team Volunteer Program and the NRCS Backyard Conservation Program, as well as Forest Service Volunteer Programs.

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