Volunteer for Us

Photo by Alan Lehman

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Trash pollution is a growing problem in the Potomac Watershed and comes from a variety of sources including littering and illegal dumping. Eventually, the trash flows into the Chesapeake Bay and ultimately, the Atlantic Ocean. You can learn more about trash pollution in the Potomac River here.

There are many ways you can engage to protect your local environment. We offer volunteer opportunities where you can help Potomac Riverkeeper Network protect and defend healthy river habitats and promote clean water. Whether testing water quality, doing river clean-ups, attending public hearings, doing scientific or legal research, or helping out in the Georgetown office, there are plenty of ways you can contribute.

Let’s get you started.

Join us in making a difference! Fill out the volunteer sign-up form to stay updated on exciting volunteer opportunities and be the first to know about ways you can help protect our waterways!

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You can also check out upcoming events on our calendar for more ways to get involved.

Event Calendar

Volunteer Opportunities

Trash-Free Potomac River Cleanups

Trash pollution is a terrible issue in our watershed that ultimately affects the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean as well. You can learn more about trash pollution in the Potomac River here.

To help combat the trash issue in the watershed we host monthly river clean-ups from April through October in various locations throughout the watershed. We provide all of the supplies necessary, you just need to bring a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, and clothes you are okay with getting a little dirty! Sign up above to get notified of upcoming river cleanups.

Bilingual/Multicultural Translation

With more than 6 million people in our watershed, our communities are incredibly diverse. In order to engage all of the members of our watershed, PRKN is always looking for volunteers to help us translate our promotional and educational materials as well as our in person lectures or events. If you are fluent in a language other than English, and would like to help us with translations or outreach please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator at .

Event or Office Assistance

Do you have specific skills you think could be of use to Potomac Riverkeeper Network? There are plenty of ways we could use your expertise to support our work! Get in touch with our Volunteer Coordinator, at , to help us host a public event, research scientific or legal issues, or join us in the office!

Community Science Water Quality Monitors

PRKN is proud to lead a team of dedicated volunteers for our Community Science Water Quality Monitoring Program. We are currently sampling over 39 different sites, including sites in the Upper Potomac, DC Region, and lower Potomac near Colonial Beach. After completing our training program, our volunteers sign up to collect scientific data about the health of the Potomac River from May through the end of September. This data is then brought to one of our DEQ certified labs, analyzed, and released weekly on the SwimGuide app and our social media to inform the public when and where it is safe to interact with the rivers.

To help combat the trash issue in the watershed we host monthly river clean-ups from April through October in various locations throughout the watershed. We provide all of the supplies necessary, you just need to bring a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, and clothes you are okay with getting a little dirty! Sign up above to get notified of upcoming river cleanups.

WQM Volunteers

If you have Wednesday mornings free and are interested in participating in our program, get started here.

Water Quality monitor volunteer certification

Community Science Water Quality Monitors

PRKN is proud to lead a team of dedicated volunteers for our Community Science Water Quality Monitoring Program. We are currently sampling over 39 different sites, including sites in the Upper Potomac, DC Region, and lower Potomac near Colonial Beach. After completing our training program, our volunteers sign up to collect scientific data about the health of the Potomac River from May through the end of September. This data is then brought to one of our DEQ certified labs, analyzed, and released weekly on the SwimGuide app and our social media to inform the public when and where it is safe to interact with the rivers.

If you have Wednesday mornings free and are interested in participating in our program, get started here.

Water Quality monitor volunteer certification

Community Science Water Quality Monitors

PRKN is proud to lead a team of dedicated volunteers for our Community Science Water Quality Monitoring Program. We are currently sampling over 39 different sites, including sites in the Upper Potomac, DC Region, and lower Potomac near Colonial Beach. After completing our training program, our volunteers sign up to collect scientific data about the health of the Potomac River from May through the end of September. This data is then brought to one of our DEQ certified labs, analyzed, and released weekly on the SwimGuide app and our social media to inform the public when and where it is safe to interact with the rivers.

If you have Wednesday mornings free and are interested in participating in our program, get started here.

Water Quality monitor volunteer certification

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