Volunteer Opportunities (Environment)

Interesting in volunteering? There are lots of ways to get involved. The organizations below can use your help!

American University Office of Sustainability

logo for American University Office of Sustainability

The American University Office of Sustainability was founded in 2009 to help meet the university’s goal of “acting on our values of social responsibility, service [and] an active pursuit of sustainability.” The office develops and supports campus initiatives that promote sustainability within the campus community.

American University Office of Sustainability

Anacostia Riverkeeper

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Anacostia Riverkeeper protects and restores the Anacostia River for all who live, work, and play in the watershed.

Anacostia Riverkeeper

Anacostia Riverkeeper - Specific Information on Volunteer Opportunities

Anacostia Watershed Society

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The Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) is a nonprofit organization seeking to return the Anacostia to a swimmable and fishable river, in keeping with the Clean Water Act, for all to enjoy. AWS fulfills this commitment by engaging people in direct action to restore the river through our advocacy, stewardship, education, and recreation programs.

Anacostia Watershed Society

Anacostia Watershed Society - Specific Information on Volunteer Opportunities

Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment

logo for Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment

Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (ACE) was founded in 1978 by the Arlington County Department of Public Works to address environmental issues beyond litter and began focusing its efforts on recycling. During the 1990’s, ACE continued to focus on litter and worked comfortably with the local business community. Today, ACE remains a volunteer organization focusing on local environmental issues including green living, litter, and invasive plants, with additional programs in the areas of watershed resources and schoolyard education.

Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment

Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment - Specific Information on Volunteer Opportunities

Audubon Naturalist Society

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Audubon Naturalist Society (ANS) is a membership-based nonprofit organization that provides environmental education for all ages and advocates on behalf of clean water, rural lands, and smart transportation in the DC metro area.

Audubon Naturalist Society

Bethesda Green

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We are a public-private partnership that promotes sustainable growth and sustainable living practices.

Bethesda Green

Bethesda Green - Specific Information on Volunteer Opportunities

Casey Trees

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Casey Trees is a non-profit in Washington, DC dedicated to restoring, protecting and enhancing the tree canopy of the nation’s capital.

Casey Trees

Casey Trees - Specific Information on Volunteer Opportunities

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

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The Chesapeake Bay Foundation – Saving the Bay through education, advocacy, litigation, and restoration.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Community Forklift

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Community Forklift is a nonprofit reuse warehouse for home improvement supplies. We pick up donations of unwanted and salvaged building materials throughout the metro DC region. Then, we make the building materials available to the public at low cost, and provide vintage materials for restoring old homes. We also offer public education about reuse and green living, and distribute free supplies to local nonprofits and neighbors in need.

Community Forklift

Community Forklift - Specific Information on Volunteer Opportunities

DC Beekeeper Alliance

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This is a community and resource site for beekeepers (and wanna-bees) in Washington, DC.

DC Beekeeper Alliance

Department of Energy and Environment

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The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) is the leading authority on energy and environmental issues affecting the District of Columbia. Using a combination of regulations, outreach, education, and incentives, our agency administers programs and services to fulfill our mission. We work collaboratively with government and institutions to promote environmentally responsible behavior that will lead to a more sustainable urban environment.

Department of Energy and Environment

Department of Energy and Environment - Specific Information on Volunteer Opportunities

DPR Urban Garden Division

logo for DPR Urban Garden Division

DC Parks and Rec (DPR) Urban Garden Division works with communities across the District to establish urban Ag projects (currently 31 community gardens and 5 non profit production farms) and urban ag support systems such as a urban garden education program offering over a 100 free classes, a citywide critter proof community compost cooperative iniitiative, a garden toolshare, a greenhouse coop, tree planting intiatives and an urban bee program.

DPR Urban Garden Division

Earth Conservation Corp

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Earth Conservation Corps is a nonprofit, environmental action program powered by unemployed community youth in a transformative year of Anacostia River restoration.

Earth Conservation Corp

Green Initiatives at The Catholic University of America

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The Catholic University of America is committed to supporting a sustainable environment on campus in its landscaping, facilities maintenance, construction projects, energy use, and waste management. This commitment is demonstrated in campus operations and in academic program offerings.

Green Initiatives at The Catholic University of America

Groundwork Anacostia River, DC – GWARDC

logo for Groundwork Anacostia River, DC – GWARDC

Launched in Ward 7 and focused on the communities that border the Anacostia River and the region of the Anacostia watershed, Groundwork Anacostia River DC utilizes environmental restoration goals as a vehicle for community development. Programs include Urban Archeology Corp, Green Team, Fort Mahan Trail Connector and more.

Groundwork Anacostia River, DC – GWARDC

Groundwork Anacostia River, DC – GWARDC - Specific Information on Volunteer Opportunities

GW Sustainability Initiative

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The Office of Sustainability provides a strategic home for sustainability initiatives at the George Washington University that are implemented in partnership with stakeholders across the organization. Through efforts underway in operations, teaching, research, and outreach, the university is committed to being a model of sustainability.

GW Sustainability Initiative

GW Sustainability Initiative - Specific Information on Volunteer Opportunities

Howard University Office of Sustainability

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Make Howard University sustainable in every regard. Create a culture of sustainability for all students, faculty and staff.  Develop sustainable leaders for American and the world. 

Rock Creek Conservancy

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Rock Creek Conservancy exists to restore Rock Creek and its parklands as a natural oasis for all people to appreciate and protect. We work through a combination of education and advocacy. Our strategy is to build partnerships with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, community groups, and residents to work together to preserve Rock Creek for present and future generations.

Rock Creek Conservancy

Student Conservation Association (SCA) DC Program

logo for Student Conservation Association (SCA) DC Program

SCA provides college & high school-aged members with hands-on conservation service opportunities. The SCA DC Community Program provides year-round conservation opportunities divided into two seasons: school-year programs (running January through May) and summer programs (running July through August). The Washington DC Community Program offers both volunteer and paid service opportunities. Participants build trails and restore habitat while exploring green career opportunities, building leadership skills, and learning about the local environment through field trips, outdoor recreation and camping trips, and complete community service projects.

Student Conservation Association (SCA) DC Program

Sustainable DC

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Sustainable DC is the District of Columbia’s plan to make DC the healthiest, greenest, and most livable city in the nation. Led by the Department of Energy & Environment and the Office of Planning, it is a collaborative effort involving the input and participation of thousands of members of the District community.

Sustainable DC

Sustainable DC - Specific Information on Volunteer Opportunities

The Nature Conservancy – Maryland/DC/Virginia

logo for The Nature Conservancy – Maryland/DC/Virginia

Protecting the lands and waters of VA, MD, and DC for people and nature. Seeking creative solutions to solve our most complex environmental challenges.

The Nature Conservancy – Maryland/DC/Virginia

TreeStewards of Arlington & Alexandria

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The TreeStewards of Arlington and Alexandria take a love of trees and put it into action by training volunteers and organizing events to improve our urban forests and make our community brighter. We educate our neighbors on tree care, provide direct assistance, and act as effective advocates for our local tree canopy.

TreeStewards of Arlington & Alexandria

TreeStewards of Arlington & Alexandria - Specific Information on Volunteer Opportunities

UMD Extension

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University of Maryland Extension (UME) is a statewide, non-formal education system within the college of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

UMD Extension

University of the District of Columbia (UDC Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education (CAUSES)

logo for University of the District of Columbia (UDC Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education (CAUSES)

The Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education of the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences of the University of the District of Columbia seeks to expand academic and public knowledge of sustainable farming techniques that improve food and water security, health and wellness by providing research and education on urban and peri-urban agroecology and gardening techniques to residents and organizations in Washington, DC, and beyond.

University of the District of Columbia (UDC Center for Urban Agriculture and Gardening Education (CAUSES)

Urban Forestry Administration (UFA)

logo for Urban Forestry Administration (UFA)

The mission of the Urban Forestry Administration is to manage and increase the District’s street trees, and to maintain healthy trees. Provide proper and expeditious services such as pruning, small tree removals and clean up of tree debris and stumps in order to provide safe sidewalk and street clearance to the residents of the District.

Urban Forestry Administration (UFA)

Urban Forestry Administration (UFA) - Specific Information on Volunteer Opportunities

Virginia Master Naturalist

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Virginia Master Naturalists are volunteer educators, citizen scientists, and stewards helping Virginia conserve and manage natural resources and public lands.

Virginia Master Naturalist

Virginia Native Plant Society: Potowmack Chapter

logo for Virginia Native Plant Society: Potowmack Chapter

VNPS supports restoration, conservation, and rescue projects, provides education, and helps individuals and groups to find and plant native plants. The Potowmack chapter is the largest VNPS chapter, representing over 400 members in the counties of Arlington and Fairfax; cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church.

Virginia Native Plant Society: Potowmack Chapter

Virginia Native Plant Society: Potowmack Chapter - Specific Information on Volunteer Opportunities

Washington Parks and People

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Washington Parks and People is a nonprofit organization that operates a community food hub, fitness center and farm market at the Riverside Healthy Living Center in NE/Deanwood It offers classes, job training programs (Green Corps & Jobs in the Community), and a variety of community eduction and gardening opportunities at its urban agricutlure sites in NE/Marvin Gaye Greenig Ceter and NW/Columbia Heights Green.

Washington Parks and People

Washington Parks and People - Specific Information on Volunteer Opportunities

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