Earth Day/Environmental Volunteer Project Ideas –
Virtual and In-Person
Here’s a list to get you started finding projects in your community.
The Nature Conservancy: The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive.
Use your voice: Speak up for nature by contacting your elected officials or pledging to take action. You’ll find multiple topics and multiple petitions to sign on this page: https://preserve.nature.org/page/80352/action/1
Learn about your “carbon footprint”: and teach those in your household about it too. Then calculate your carbon footprint as a catalyst to make meaningful change and take action: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator/
Volunteer:Search by the state you live in and see how you can volunteer with the Nature Conservancy. You’ll note that the projects are constantly updated so keep checking your area for updates: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/volunteer-and-attend-events/
SciStarter: SciStarter is a globally acclaimed, online citizen science hub where more than 3,000 projects, searchable by location, topic, age level, etc, have been registered by individual project leaders or imported through partnerships with federal governments, nonprofits, and universities. See what projects you can find: https://scistarter.org/finder
Keep America Beautiful: Keep America Beautiful (KAB) envisions a country where every community is a clean, green, and beautiful place to live. Take a look and search in your community for ways to get involved with KAB: https://volunteer.kab.org/
The Surfrider Foundation: The Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves and beaches, for all people, through a powerful activist network. If you’re lucky enough to live near the coast then consider looking for an affiliate in your area to become involved: https://www.surfrider.org/volunteer
Ocean Conservancy: Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together, we create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. Here is another options for those living close to the coast. Check out the different ways you can get involved and help take action: https://oceanconservancy.org/action-center/
American Rivers: Help us achieve our litter reduction goals using Litterati, a mobile app that allows user to photograph, upload and tag litter in their area. Participate in our challenge while you walk your dog, spend the day at the park, or while loading the groceries in your car. Check out how you can get involved: https://www.americanrivers.org/make-an-impact/national-river-cleanup/
Patagonia Action Works: We all know Patagonia as a clothing brand but they do so much more for our Earth. Check out the opportunities in your area that serve local environmental nonprofits: https://www.patagonia.com/actionworks/about/
Earth Day Network: EARTHDAY.ORG’s mission is to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide. Growing out of the first Earth Day in 1970, EARTHDAY.ORG is the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement, working with more than 150,000 partners in over 192 countries to drive positive action for our planet. See how you can get involved: https://www.earthday.org/take-action-now/
The Urban Garden Initiative: TUGI's mission is to inspire and empower youth to achieve urban sustainability though a gardening-based educational program. This site has virtual and in-person options for volunteering once you contact them. Consider an urban garden when thinking how to help with urban environmental issues as well as food desert issues too. You’ll find more information here: https://www.theurbangardeninitiative.org/get-involved.html
The Sierra Club: The Sierra Club is the most enduring and influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. We amplify the power of our millions of members and supporters to defend everyone’s right to a healthy world. Check out their options for volunteering in-person or virtually and they also have ways to use your voice for legislation and petitions to support their work. To find all of these options click here: https://www.sierraclub.org/take-action
The National Park Service/Foundation: The National Park Service is an agency of the United States government that manages all national parks, most national monuments, and other natural, historical, and recreational properties across the United States. All of these public spaces and properties rely heavily on the time and talent of volunteers. To find a project near you with a list of available opportunities in your area go to: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/