With so many natural resources being depleted, harmful gasses being put into the air, and animal species becoming endangered due to human interference, responding to and caring for the environment is in increasingly important task. Click here to read more information about the environment and why the following volunteer projects, while seemingly small and insignificant, can have a lasting impact on the world we live in.

• Write letters to congress supporting legislation that helps the environment
• Help clean up shore around lakes, beaches/coasts, river
• Clean up litter on the street or in a park
• Weed in a cemetery or park
• Use more energy-efficient light bulbs
• Work on a community garden or farm
• Clear trails
• Start a compost pile
• Participate in a city cleanup in your local area
• Research about specific environmental issues and present for others in a creative, fun, and educational way
• Recycle!
• Fix a leaky faucet for yourself or a friend
• Look for and promote programs in your area that recycle cell phones, toner cartridges, printers, computers, phone books, etc.
• Learn more about energy efficiency and renewable energy and educate others about insulating their home
• Learn about energy conservation and make daily changes at home, school, and work
• Plant trees and other native species to preserve natural habitats
• Plant flowers and trees in your yard or (with permission) in other public areas
• Come up with creative craft projects out of reused materials to combine with other volunteer opportunities (ex. helping children, the elderly, or people with disabilities)
• Make sets for dramatic productions out of cardboard boxes and other reused items
• Also check out the Environmental Kids Club, sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Kids can participate in environmental activities around the community, or come up with their own projects to earn certificates and stickers.  There are lots of interactive computer games, coloring books, comic books online at www.epa.gov/kids.

Find a volunteer opportunity in your community

Do you have another idea for us? Let us know! Send an email here.

Have you had a great (or perhaps not so good!) volunteering experience with your family that you would like to share? Fill out our volunteer reflection form, and we might showcase your experience and reflections on our website!