April 22nd is Earth Day. So that makes it a time to think about how we treat our planet and the people living on it. Today, we’re highlighting stories from US Peace Corps Volunteers who serve in the Environment sector. These Environment volunteers work with local communities to protect forests, improve farming practices, and keep water clean. They teach, plant, build, and learn—always with a spirit of respect and teamwork.
Celebrating the green heart of service around the world!!!
This post is about people who care deeply. People who plant the seeds of change. People who work side-by-side with host communities to build a healthier, greener future.
Each of the volunteers below brings their own ideas and energy. They leave home, take on tough jobs, and learn how to live in new places. Most of all, they listen and grow with the people around them. Their stories show what it looks like to work with nature, not against it.
Albert in Senegal
Albert shares what it’s like to plant trees during the rainy season, run eco-clubs for kids, and live in a rural village with a big, welcoming host family. From millet dinners to sacred planting rituals, his story brings the Peace Corps Environment program to life. Learn how service has shaped his view of sustainability, community, and personal growth.
👉 Read on to see how planting trees and sharing meals can grow both forests—and a new perspective. [HERE!]
Vasilios in Paraguay
This Earth Day, meet Vasilios—a Peace Corps Environment Volunteer working with students, park rangers, and community leaders to protect nature in Paraguay. From planting trees and starting school gardens to setting up wildlife camera traps in a national park, his work shows how local action can spark lasting impact. In this interview, Vasilios shares how embracing a slower pace, staying curious, and working closely with his community have helped him grow just as much as the trees he plants.
👉 Read on to see how environmental service can shape a life—and protect a forest. [HERE!]
Cole in Mexico
This Earth Day, we highlight the work of Cole Hiser, an Environment Volunteer in Mexico, who’s part of the Peace Corps’ first-ever climate change-focused cohort. In a region where farmers are already feeling the heat—literally—Cole is helping communities adapt to shifting weather patterns and shrinking rainy seasons. His service goes beyond data and outreach. It’s about deep human connection, environmental education, and supporting resilience in the face of a changing climate.
👉 Step into Cole’s experience and learn what climate-focused service looks like as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mexico. [HERE!]
Danielle in The Philippines
Meet Danielle Angert, an Environment Volunteer serving on a small island in the Philippines. From writing coastal resource management plans to crafting fish out of recycled bottles with local school kids, Danielle is making real change—one project, one conversation, one volleyball game at a time. Her story shows how environmental action starts with listening, learning, and lending a hand where it matters most.
👉 Dive into Danielle’s journey and see what it really means to serve the planet as a Peace Corps Volunteer. [HERE!]
🌱 Be Inspired!
As we share these stories, we celebrate the quiet, steady work of protecting nature. These volunteers do more than plant trees or fix fences. They help build trust. They share skills. They listen and learn from local experts. Together, they make life better for both people and the planet.
Even after Earth Day ends, we can still carry this mindset with us. We can keep being curious. We can keep asking how we can help. And we can keep showing up with open hands and open hearts.
Thanks to all the volunteers who are doing this important work. You remind us that caring for the earth starts with caring for each other.
What are you waiting for? Opportunities like this don’t come often. If you have a passion for service and an adventurous spirit like these Environment volunteers, apply to the Peace Corps today. Expand your horizons, push your limits, and create positive impact as a volunteer. You never know how serving as a Peace Corps volunteer could change your life.
The content of this post does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps
