Make an Ecological Impact!

Environmental stewardship opportunities abound in Washtenaw County. If you have some time and a passion for Mother Earth, there are many organizations who rely on volunteer gardeners and citizen scientists to do the hard but rewarding work of cleaning, maintaining and restoring our treasured natural resources. Get outdoors, meet other passionate people and learn more about the environment!

Get Hands-on in the Garden! Washtenaw County Parks

All green thumbs begin as brown thumbs who keep at it! Join Washtenaw Parks staff, MSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers, and other learners (with thumbs of every color) to Get Hands-on in the Gardens. Level-up your gardening skills in the best way possible: by actively gardening as part of a community of gardeners sharing their skills (and sometimes free flower divisions!). Your efforts provide meaningful contributions to historically inspired demonstration gardens, native plant landscaping and responsibly managed woodlands. Snacks and gloves provided—bring a water bottle. Click here for the Parks' volunteer page.

Be a citizen scientist with the Huron River Watershed Council

From river cleanups to chemistry and flow monitoring, conducting field assessments and identifying insects and invasive species, the HRWC offers year-round opportunities to help monitor and restore the Huron and its 900 square mile watershed. See how you can get involved on the HRWC volunteer page.

Eco-Workdays at the Gardens & Arb

Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum are jewels in Ann Arbor's landscape, but maintaining such large properties requires lots of help! Throughout the summer and into the fall, Eco-Workdays at both locations focus on removing invasives and restoring the ecosystem. Click here for the Eco-Workday page, and click on Sign Up to Help to view the schedule.