NARSVPD asks that funding for RSVP be included in S1442, The Public Lands Service Corp Act. NARSVPD and our Washington Representative, Gene Sofer have been advocating to include senior volunteers in the Public Lands Service Corps Act of 2009.  The Public Lands Service Corp Act (S 1442) is a bill to amend the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to expand the authorization of the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, and the Interior to provide service-learning opportunities on public lands, establish a grant program for Indian Youth Service Corps, help restore the Nation's natural, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational, and scenic resources, train a new generation of public land managers and enthusiasts, and promote the value of public service.

NARSVPD proposal is simple and straightforward.  It is based on the premise that retired senior volunteers can contribute to strengthening our public lands in a variety of way including, but not limited, to working with and mentoring young people who experience those lands through the Public Lands Service Act. 

 We asked that the bill include language that would “enable the Secretary to enter into grants or contracts with senior volunteer programs administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service to enable those programs to work with, and mentor members of the Public Lands Service Corps, as well as provide such other services as the Secretary may determine to be necessary to achieve the goals of the Public Lands Service Corps.”