title: Engaging Older Adults in Environmental Volunteerism: The Retirees in Service to the Environment Program.
abstract: Retirees in Service to the Environment (RISE) is a program designed to promote participation of older people in volunteering for the environment. Based on principles of adult learning and best practices for the development of effective volunteer programs, RISE engaged older individuals in environmental volunteering and involved them in community stewardship activities.
  
  
  
  This article details the development and formative evaluation of RISE. We describe program assessment, benefits to the community, and effects on participants.
  
  
  
  The program successfully recruited individuals new to environmental volunteering and substantial hours of volunteer time were provided to communities. Program satisfaction was high and preliminary evidence suggests positive outcomes from RISE participation.
  
  
  
  The innovative structure combined with local relevance of the RISE program has the potential to expand older adults' engagement in environmental volunteerism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development, MVR Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pillemer
authors.affiliation: Department of Design and Environmental Analysis, MVR Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
authors.forename: Nancy M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.affiliation: Ithaca College Gerontology Institute, Muller Center, Ithaca, New York.
authors.forename: Rhoda H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Meador
authors.affiliation: Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research, Beebe Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schultz
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development, MVR Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
authors.forename: Charles R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.affiliation: Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research, Beebe Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
authors.forename: Marie Tillema
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Cope
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012179:Retirement / Q000523:psychology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D012941:Social Responsibility; D014838:Volunteers / Q000523:psychology*