Volunteer Opportunities
Adopt-a-Highway
Help keep your community clean and beautiful by adopting a stretch of North Carolina roadway. Adopt-a-Highway volunteers agree to pick up litter two-to-four times a year on their adopted road. The program is run by the N.C. Department of Transportation, Office of Beautification. Call (800) 331-5864 for more information.
North Carolina Stream Watch
Take an active role in promoting the well-being of the state’s precious water resources. Volunteer activities include stream and riverbank cleanups, wildlife identification and inventories, water quality testing and nature walks. The program is run by the Division of Water Resources in the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. For more information, contact the Stream Watch Coordinator, Division of Water Resources, DENR, P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, NC 27611, (919) 715-5433 or visit Stream Watch.
Big Sweep
Participate in Big Sweep, North Carolina’s largest annual cleanup of beaches, rivers and local waterways, held the third Saturday of September. Call 1-800-27-SWEEP for more information or visit Big Sweep.
State Parks Volunteer Program
Help preserve and protect North Carolina’s state parks and recreational areas. Volunteers are needed to maintain park facilities and provide for a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors. Opportunities for volunteers are varied and numerous, from “hosting” a campground to maintaining trails to serving as a nature interpreter. For more information, contact your nearest state park or visit the N.C. State Park System Volunteer Program.
Environmental Groups
Join or volunteer with an environmental organization in your area. Many groups in North Carolina address air and water quality, sustainable development, wildlife conservation, solid waste and recycling, and alternative energy, among other issues. All could use your help. To find a group with interests that match yours, refer to the latest Guide to North Carolina’s Environmental Groups, published by the Environmental Resource Program (ERP) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. To order a copy of the guide, contact the ERP at (919) 966-7754.
Earth Day Home | Earth Day Information | Tips for Home | Tips for Work
