Volunteers lead grassroots efforts in their communities to protect the environment and strengthen understanding of environmental issues. They teach environmental awareness in elementary and secondary schools and to youth groups and community organizations, empowering communities to make their own decisions about how to protect and conserve the local environment. Volunteers also address environmental degradation by promoting sustainable use of natural resources.

If you choose Environment, take three courses from one of the following areas:

• Environmental Science or related field
• Environmental Management
• Environmental Humanities or Humanitarian Affairs
• Biology
• Geology
• Integrated Science and Technology
• Earth Science
• Geographic Science

And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as (but not limited to):

• Educating the public on environmental or conservation issues, or working on environmental campaigns
• Conducting biological surveys of plants or animals
• Conducting geological surveys of earth materials (rocks or minerals) or water systems (surface water and/or groundwater)
• Gardening, farming, nursery management, organic or low-input vegetable production, or landscaping
• Getting involved with JMU’s Environmental Stewardship initiative
• Volunteering with Valley Conservation Council which promotes environmental conservation through holding lands in permeant conservation easements
• Volunteering with Shenandoah National Park or George Washington National Forest
• Volunteering with Shenandoah River State Park, Sky Meadows State Park, or Kiptopeke State Park
• Volunteering with and participating in various programming activities at the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum
• Volunteering with Virginia Clean Cities

This is a sample of service opportunities offered in the Harrisonburg community. Please visit Community Service-Learning for additional service opportunities and information about the Alternative Break Program. Paid and unpaid internships also can meet this requirement. Please see the University Career Center for internship opportunities.