ABSTRACT
Senior citizens seem to be seeking roles in environmental stewardship, including stream restoration and monitoring projects such as The Crabby Creek Initiative. When it comes to participating in the restoration of waterways, older is not necessarily "lesser." Furthermore, there is a good convergence between the life experience of many of today's elders and the skills needed for participation in restoration projects. Since many elders might have familiarity with "movement" politics, especially social movements focused on the environment or civil rights, they are well positioned for action in restoration projects requiring an advocacy orientation. The role of memory cannot be overstated in restoration work, and people with direct experience of a place and personal connections to the waterways can provide unique information, all of which is essential for restoring community connections to waterways (Krasny & Tidball). The special identity of elders in certain communities means that there may be distinct roles for them relative to younger adults.
