become a volunteer

DO SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL

Volunteering for the Elizabeth River Project is a great way to do something beautiful for the Elizabeth River. From litter clean-up and restoration projects to volunteer opportunities at Paradise Creek Nature Park, anyone can pitch in and do their part to help clean the river.

Litter Clean-Ups

Litter isn’t just ugly; it hurts wildlife and the river’s ecosystem. Register as a volunteer at one of our upcoming litter clean-up events. We’ll provide the garbage bags, trash grabbers and gloves (if you don’t have your own). Events will be rescheduled in the event of rain or extreme weather. Want to hold your own Elizabeth River clean-up event with your school, business, organization or neighborhood group? Contact Volunteer Coordinator Kayla Gradwell at kgradwell@elizabethriver.org to get started.

Land Litter Cleanups
  • Saturday, July 6th 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Harbor Park
  • Saturday, August 3rd 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Ryan Resilience Lab
Kayak Litter Cleanups: Ryan Resilience Lab
  • Saturday, July 6th 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
  • Saturday, August 17th 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
  • Saturday, September 7th 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Lead Your Own Litter Clean-Up

Want to hold your own clean-up event with your school, business, organization or neighborhood group? That’s awesome! Just send your results, photos and some of the most common and uncommon things you find during your cleanup to: Kayla Gradwell at kgradwell@elizabethriver.org. Or, share it on social media and tag us.

Paradise Creek Nature Park

Volunteer to help our staff on seasonal tasks such as weeding, planting, cleaning, pruning and light maintenance. Or get involved with other new volunteer efforts at the park. Register today as a Paradise Creek Volunteer and we’ll alert you to the latest volunteer opportunities.

  • Saturday, July 6th 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Saturday, July 13th 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Saturday, August 3rd 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Saturday, August 10th 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Saturday, September 7th 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Saturday, September 14th 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Restoration Projects

From wetland plantings to oyster reef installations, our restoration projects are a rewarding way to get involved and help the river. Register today as a Restoration Volunteer and we’ll alert you to the latest volunteer opportunities.

Help Build a New Wetland (Norfolk)

  • Wednesday, July 24th 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
  • Thursday, July 25th 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
  • Friday, July 26th 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
  • Monday, July 29th 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Tuesday, July 30th 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  • Wednesday, July 31st 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Thursday, August 1st 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Ryan Resilience Lab

Join us to “Do Something Beautiful” by assisting in maintaining the native landscape, including the shoreline buffer, living shoreline, green roof, and rain gardens at the Elizabeth River Project’s new Ryan Resilience Lab.

  • Saturday, June 8th 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
  • Thursday, June 27th 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
  • Saturday, July 13th 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
  • Thursday, July 25th 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Thursday, August 22nd 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Reception and Hospitality Volunteer

This is a customer service position with responsibilities that include engaging with visitors, educating guests about the Elizabeth River Project and membership opportunities, managing the front desk, and monitoring the reception lobby. Volunteers may also represent the Elizabeth River Project at various public outreach events running information tables about the organization and recruiting membership and community engagement.

Ongoing Volunteer Positions

Outreach Volunteer

Outreach volunteers are ambassadors of the Elizabeth River Project, setting the tone for the organization at public events. Volunteers will assist Staff to run information tables throughout the community. This role is responsible for engaging with the public, and educating about the Elizabeth River Project and membership opportunities.

We welcome volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, and we are always looking for new skills and talents to enhance our work. Whether you have experience in horticulture, education, administration, or any other field, we would love to hear from you. You can contact us with any special interests or skills that you would like to share by filling out the form below or sending an email to kgradwell@elizabethriver.org.

Volunteer Sign Up

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