Parks, beaches, trails, community gardens, and other green or natural spaces provide a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Maintaining the beauty of these areas requires dedication, often supported by teams of volunteers. Clean, well-maintained parks and trails offer safer and more attractive spaces for physical activities, which contribute to public health. Moreover, these well-kept environments help preserve nature and foster a sense of community pride and unity. If you're ready to enhance your local area, here are some ideas to get started.
Park trails are essential recreational spaces but require regular maintenance to remain safe and accessible, especially on pathways used for hiking and biking. Fortunately, there are many ways to get involved in keeping trails safe and enjoyable. Check the National Park Service (NPS) website for local projects, or join the Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) program, which offers opportunities for trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and visitor services in national parks across the U.S. You can also contact your state's parks service for local volunteering opportunities. Additionally, the American Hiking Society hosts National Trails Day, an annual event that encourages trail stewardship and outdoor activities.
Community gardens provide green spaces in urban areas, offer fresh produce—often in places where it’s scarce—and promote community engagement. Collaborating with neighbors to cultivate nutritious, healthy food is deeply rewarding. If you’re interested in joining or starting a community garden, start with the Create the Good® Do-It-Yourself Guide for foundational knowledge. The American Community Gardening Association is another excellent resource, offering support to community gardens nationwide and connecting you with opportunities to volunteer in planting, weeding, harvesting, and organizing workshops. You might also consider becoming a gleaner—a volunteer who helps harvest surplus crops from farms or other growers to share with those in need. The Association of Gleaning Organizations provides information on gleaning opportunities throughout the country.
Urban green spaces enhance air quality, provide recreational areas, and beautify city landscapes while creating more habitats for wildlife. Restoring natural habitats in and around cities helps protect biodiversity and support ecosystem health. Organizations like The Nature Conservancy and the National Wildlife Federation offer opportunities for involvement in habitat restoration projects. The Trust for Public Land focuses on creating and protecting parks and green spaces. Keep America Beautiful engages volunteers in community cleanups, graffiti removal, and recycling programs.
Wherever people inhabit or use space, there is an opportunity to maintain or improve it. Rivers, oceans, and other bodies of water are vital ecosystems that are often affected by litter and pollution. Cleanups help protect wildlife and marine life while also improving water quality. The Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup is an annual event where volunteers worldwide collect trash from beaches and oceans. Consider joining a local cleanup or organizing your own. The Surfrider Foundation also hosts regular beach cleanups.
Litter along roadways is a common issue. Many states have Adopt-a-Highway programs, where individuals or groups commit to regularly cleaning a stretch of highway. Check with your state’s Department of Transportation for details on how to participate.
Volunteering to beautify the great outdoors is a rewarding way to give back to your community while enjoying nature. Interested in more ways to help the planet? Explore 25 simple ideas in this article, or visit www.createthegood.org for additional inspiration.