Volunteer to Protect and Save the Environment in Arlington, Virginia

Each and everyday, environmental groups combine to make a difference in environmental protection and sustainability. For example, Nature Conservancy, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, works globally to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. Greenpeace campaigns to expose global environmental problems and promote green solutions for a peaceful future. World Wildlife Fund enjoys a strong presence and eco-success in more than 100 countries around the world. The Cousteau Society, Ocean Conservancy, other conservation groups and governments partner to promote clean oceans and coastal habitats. Each group relies on donations, grants, professional staff and volunteers to get the job done.

Surely these and other global eco-giants make great strides in promoting a clean environment, protecting native species and habitat, and advancing sustainability around the world. But, what about you? What can you do in your own neighborhood or community to promote a clean environment, water, air and world? A lot more than you think.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) has a clear and vital mission: To save the Chesapeake Bay, and keep it saved for generations to come. To accomplish this task, CBF relies on the good work of CBF staff and an army of volunteers in and around the National Capital Region. According to CBF, the land that drains into the Chesapeake Bay covers 64,000 square miles. This watershed is a comprised of a myriad of communities, farmlands, forests, and wetlands, extending across six states and the District of Columbia. To protect this watershed and national treasure, CBF relies on a steady stream of civic initiatives and volunteer action. Sign up online to become a CBF volunteer or to find out more about volunteer activities in your area, contact Heather Tuckfield, CBF Volunteer Manager (htuckfield@cbf.org).

Eco-Friendly Volunteer Opportunities In Northern Virginia

Where else can you volunteer your time and efforts to save and protect the environment? Here are some great organizations and volunteer activities where you can promote a clean, sustainable environment and network with like minds in Arlington, Virginia. Environmental protection, advocacy and public outreach volunteer opportunities, from invasive plant removal to green education, in the heart of the beautiful, eco-friendly Northern Virginia region.

Project Watershed Watch
Sponsor: Arlingtonians For a Clean Environment (ACE)
Contact: Email ACE Volunteer Coordinator or call (703) 228-6427

Founded in 1978, Arlingtonians For a Clean Environment (ACE) was founded to tackle timely environmental issues like litter removal. Before long, ACE expanded its efforts to promote recycling and other earth-friendly projects. Today, ACE remains a vibrant volunteer organization that sponsors green living, litter and waste, invasive species, watershed and other important initiatives. For example, the Project Watershed Watch program activates volunteers in the community to monitor water quality and related issues along Four Mile Run, a watershed in South Arlington. This is one great opportunity for committed volunteers who want to promote clean water and a better environment for Northern Virginia.

Invasive Plant Removal
Sponsor: Arlington County, Arlington, Virginia
Contact: Email Mary Pierce or call (703) 228-1862

Arlington County takes its green space very seriously. Join other eco-friendly volunteers to protect watersheds and parkland in lovely Arlington, Virginia. Great volunteer opportunities for individuals, schools, scouting and other eco-interested groups. Several invasive plant removal projects hosted each month, including
First Tuesdays @ Zachary Taylor Park, Second Saturdays @ Lacey Woods, Second Sundays @ Gulf Branch
Third Saturdays @ Tuckahoe Park, Third Sundays @ Long Branch, and Fourth Saturdays @ Benjamin Banneker. What makes this volunteer effort different is that you can drop into the activities whenever you're available or make a sustained effort as an individual or group. Young people, in particular, learn a lot about native plants and species when volunteering to remove invasive plants.

Wildlife Rehabilitator or Caregiver
Sponsor: Wildlife Rescue League (WRL)
Contact: Call (703) 391-8625 or email WRL Volunteer Coordinator

The Wildlife Rescue League is a vibrant non-profit organization whose volunteers care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. Its licensed rehabilitators work with animal shelters, humane societies, nature centers, wildlife groups and local vets to care for these animals. To become a wildlife rehabilitator, you must first obtain a license from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Wildlife Rescue League will help you navigate the licensing process, which includes training, a 2-year apprenticeship and ongoing CE classes. In addition, a wildlife rehabilitator must have a home that's secure for these injured or sick animals, free from domestic animals and most human traffic. Don't want to keep wild animals in your home? Become a licensed caregiver instead. Contact Wildlife Rescue League for more information on this important environmental and wildlife volunteer opportunity.

Green Environment Educators
Sponsor: Arlingtonians For a Clean Environment (ACE)
Contact: Email ACE Volunteer Coordinator or call (703) 228-6427

Are you interested in promoting a healthy and clean environment? Want to help others become more eco-aware? Educators and other volunteers are needed to spread the "green living" word at the local Farmers' Markets and other events. Contact Arlingtonians For a Clean Environment (ACE) for more information about this important public education and green outreach effort. A fun and meaningful volunteer experience.

Adopt a Stream
Sponsor: Arlington County, Arlington, Virginia
Contact: Call (703) 228-3403 at Gulf Branch Nature Center

The Adopt-a-Stream program matches volunteers and groups with a section of a local streams, which you commit to cleaning four times a year. To Adopt-a-Stream, a member from your group will meet with a naturalist to register and select your stream. This is a great opportunity for both individuals and neighborhood associations.

Stream Monitors
Sponsor: Arlington County, Arlington, Virginia
Contact: Email awinquist@arlingtonva.us or call (703) 228-3610

Stream monitors are citizen volunteers who help collect biological and chemical data about water quality in streams across Arlington County. Sampling is conducted in March, June, September, and December at eight active monitoring sites in the County, including Little Pimmit Run, Gulf Branch, Donaldson Run, Windy Run and several locations along Four Mile Run. There are some prerequisites before joining the monitoring team. For example, stream monitors must attend a couple of training classes. Contact Arlington County for more information on this important eco-volunteer opportunity.

RESOURCES

Volunteer Match
www.volunteermatch.org

Corporation for National and Community Service
www.serve.gov

Chesapeake Bay Foundation
www.cbf.org

World Environmental Organizations
www.world.org/weo/environment

Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov