Catawba Riverkeeper
Volunteer
Lend a Helping Hand for Clean Water
There are many ways for you to get involved and volunteer with Catawba Riverkeeper! Whether it's a public cleanup, Swim Guide water sample collection, or a community science project, your skills are needed! We couldn't do the work we do without volunteers like you.
Click through the tabs below to learn more about our volunteer opportunities, then scroll down to see upcoming volunteer events and register for them through our volunteer portal!
Cleanups
Volunteer-Led Cleanups
Host your own cleanup! If your group is excited to make a difference for clean waterways, but you aren't quite sure how to go about organizing your own cleanup event, this option is for you. We will provide all the supplies you need to host your own private cleanup, including instructions and supplies. We'll also share your hard work on our online platforms! Contact kaity.d@catawbariverkeeper.org to learn more.
Public Cleanups
Public Riverkeeper-led cleanups are held throughout the Catawba-Wateree River Basin and usually take place once or twice a month from February through October. Cleanups are 2-3 hours long and include cleanup supplies and Riverkeeper guidance. Due to the nature of these cleanups, we recommend that participants be at least 12 years of age of older to participate. An adult must accompany anyone under the age of 18 throughout the event.
Tactical Cleanups
Do you like a challenge? Tactical cleanups involve removing large, heavy, or bulky debris from local lakes and rivers. We host several of these more strenuous cleanups throughout the year and call on our tactical cleanup volunteers to assist. If you're physically fit and up for a challenge, please contact kaity.d@catawbariverkeeper.org to join the contact list for these opportunities.
Community Science
Restoration
We don’t just protect what’s healthy; we also work to restore unhealthy rivers and ecosystems so that they, too, can support life for generations to come. Volunteer with us on projects like streambank stabilization, Spider Lily propagation, Beaver Dam Analogs, and invasive species mitigation.
Trash Traps
A Trash Trap is an in-stream litter collection device designed to trap floating debris that enters our waterways from stormwater runoff and littering. Our volunteers help monitor and maintain our Trash Traps throughout the basin by checking and reporting on the traps regularly. When a trap is full, a group of volunteers will clean it out and log the litter.
Swim Guide
Swim Guide volunteers make our weekly summer water quality reports possible! These folks serve as "boat captains" who collect water samples from popular swimming sites or "runners" who transport the samples back to our lab in McAdenville every Thursday. Visit www.catawbariverkeeper.org/Swim-Guide to learn more and complete a volunteer interest form.
Ambassadors
Trained ambassadors serve as an extension of our organization, promoting our mission and initiatives at festivals, outdoor events, and promotional tabling events throughout the year across the basin. If you believe in the work the Catawba Riverkeeper is doing and are looking for a way to get more involved, come check out our Ambassador Program and help us deepen our involvement in the communities we serve.
Office & Operations
Interested in helping out behind the scenes? Join us for our Office & Operations volunteer opportunities to help share the Catawba Riverkeeper story, support grant writing efforts, and complete miscellaneous office tasks.
Facilities & Equipment
Help us keep our facilities and equipment in tip-top shape! Our cleanup and paddling supplies have to be cleaned, patched up, and loaded into trucks and trailers regularly--all of which takes time and effort. We always appreciate helping hands who help us complete this important work more quickly and efficiently.
Corporate Engagement
Catawba Riverkeeper offers impactful employee engagement and volunteer opportunities for corporate groups and small businesses. At one of our events, your group can connect, grow as a team, and make a difference in our community. Corporate Engagement opportunities include streambank cleanups, kayaking cleanups, DIY cleanups, and Lunch & Learn presentations.
Register for Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
See what volunteer opportunities are currently available in the list below! Let us know that you'll be there to help out by signing up.
Don't see an event you're interested in at the moment? Go ahead and set up your volunteer profile through our volunteer portal (CERVIS) so you're all set when an opportunity you'd like to participate in becomes available!
If you have questions or are interested in supporting our mission through volunteerism or community science, contact Volunteer & Community Science Manager Kaity D’Angelo at Kaity.d@catawbariverkeeper.org.
Support Our Foundation
Let's protect the Catawba River!
The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation is working towards clean, plentiful water now and for generations to come.
