The Virginia State Parks (VASP) mission is to conserve natural, scenic, historic and cultural resources of the Commonwealth of Virginia and to provide recreational and educational opportunities consistent with good stewardship of these lands, water and facilities that leaves them unimpaired for future generations. Mr. Gaston Rouse, Director of Community Engagement and Volunteerism for Virginia State Parks, has embraced the mission and works tirelessly to bring it to life through programs like Youth Corps and AmeriCorps. Gaston Rouse retired from the U. S. Army as a Colonel and has worked for VASP for the past twelve years. As the first Director of Community Engagement and Volunteerism, Mr. Rouse has led the efforts to build a comprehensive volunteer program. Mr. Rouse is also responsible for the development of the Virginia State Parks Youth Corps (VSPYC), a summer education and community service program for young people. The mission of the VSPYC is to engage Virginia’s youth in a structured program of important conservation and park projects on public lands while providing learning that fosters teamwork, self-esteem, social responsibility and respect for the environment. Mr. Rouse is also responsible for the establishment of the VASP AmeriCorps program, which resulted in placing members in 27 parks across the state. Under the guidance of Mr. Rouse, the VASP AmeriCorps Interpretation Project has increased awareness of conservation and instilled good stewardship ethics among members. Additionally, the project has engaged a significant number of local citizens and park visitors who value conservation and the environmental treasures of our state. During the first two years of the AmeriCorps program 57 members were placed in parks. In 2011, AmeriCorps members coordinated and delivered 2,216 interpretive programs in state parks across Virginia. They engaged 91,367 park visitors with a message of conservation between April and September of 2011. Additionally, 378 new park volunteers were recruited and provided 8,730 hours of service to the parks. VASP AmeriCorps members ranged in age from 17 to 67 and their completion of term of service averaged 98.3%, as opposed to the national rate of 70%. As one AmeriCorps member noted, “I have learned valuable tips to use which include improvement in my communication skills, polishing my customer service skills, and learning more about how Virginia State Parks are run.” Mr. Rouse is tireless in his pursuit of programs that will promote recreational and educational opportunities consistent with the ideals of good stewardship. His latest project is designed to engage military veterans and their families in National Day of Service projects to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Mr. Rouse is working to secure funding that would provide projects and housing to allow military veterans and their families to stay in the parks while they work to improve access to resources on the historic Captain John Smith National Historic Trail. The extensive number of lives Mr. Rouse has touched in his effort to promote environmental stewardship through volunteerism has increased exponentially the likelihood of preserving our environmental treasures for future generations to enjoy.