The Aging and Environment Initiative
Master Gardener Volunteer coordinators might be particularly interested in getting involved with this project. This story from April 2007 edition of Human Development Today e-News as it says it is “loosely based on the Master Gardener program.”
A recent collaboration between Karl Pillemer and Linda Wagenet is gaining momentum among Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) associations. Pillemer, an HD Extension faculty member, directs the Cornell Institute for Translational Research on Aging (CITRA) which focuses on gerontology issues. Wagenet’s research and extension work is on civic engagement and environmental management. Together, they have developed the Aging and Environment Initiative. This program aims to work with CCE associations and other community organizations to raise awareness among older people about environmental issues and to examine the impact of aging on the environment (for example, the expansion of retirement communities). The particular emphasis of the Aging and Environment Initiative over the coming 1-2 years is in promoting environmental volunteerism and civic engagement among older persons.
Why is this program needed? Pillemer and Wagenet believe that it can address two critical problems facing American society. First, as individuals reach retirement age, they often experience a sense of generativity and concern about the world they are leaving to their children and grandchildren. Added to that is increased isolation from social settings and decreased engagement in meaningful activities. New roles and meaningful volunteer opportunities are needed for persons age 60 and above, and in particular the newly retired. Second, the deterioration of the natural environment is a major national and international concern. Environmental protection is an important part of our daily lives as well as a key issue for future generations. By creating roles for retirees in environmental volunteering, both social isolation and environmental protection are addressed.
The College of Human Ecology provided Pillemer and Wagenet with pilot funding to initiate the program. This funding allowed the addition of several questions related to environmental attitudes and participation in the Empire State Poll, a survey of New Yorkers on a variety of issues. Joining with Nancy Wells (CHE-DEA) and Nina Glasgow (CALS-DSOC), the group sponsored a one-day workshop on aging and environment issues with CCE colleagues from around the state. Dr. Scott Wright, University of Utah, who has done research in this area, was the key speaker, and Bruce Barbour, Rutgers University Cooperative Extension, also attended. Barbour is a key collaborator in our project, because he has developed an environmental stewards program in New Jersey that is not specific to older adults but can serve as a template for the CU effort.
At present, Pillemer and Wagenet are developing and promoting a specific extension program called the Retiree Environmental Stewards Program (RESP), which emerged from the data gathering efforts just described. The program is loosely based on the Master Gardener program. The goals of the RESP are to educate senior volunteers on environmental science and management through a series of sessions encompassing approximately forty hours of training. The volunteers will then become stewards of their local environment and can serve in a variety of capacities. Training topics include, among others: Using your retirement years productively; You as a retiree and the environment; Local environmental management and decision-making; Local land preservation issues; Sustainability and energy issues; Lakes and watersheds; Conflict resolution techniques; Communication and leadership; Intergenerational programs and the environment.
There has been enthusiastic response to this initiative from several CCE Associations. Pillemer and Wagenet are working with Russ Martin, Executive Director of CCE-Schenectady, to develop the program further for CCE and to seek external funding. They hope to work closely with other Capitol area associations as well. Interest from Long Island, Western NY and the Finger Lakes region has also occurred, and the Pennsylvania Environment Council is interested in working with the CU group for a proposal. The CHE/CALS collaboration also led to an application for Federal Formula Funds to support the effort since it is an integrated research and extension project.
Pillemer and Wagenet are eagerly seeking additional collaborators from CCE associations. If you would like to learn more about this effort in aging and environmental management, please contact Karl Pillemer, (607)255-8086, kap6@cornell.edu; or Linda Wagenet, (607) 254-7460, lpw2@cornell.edu.