Green Infrastructure Volunteer Opportunities
Join us for a volunteer event or "adopt" a green infrastructure feature near where you live, work or play!
There are lots of ways to get involved with the Office of Green Infrastructure! We are always looking for volunteers to help us care for public green infrastructure (GI) features around the city! There are two ways to volunteer:
- Adopt a GI feature through our citywide Green Infrastructure Volunteer Program -or-
- Sign up for an individual volunteer event
Our “Adopt-a-GI Feature” viewer is coming soon! The viewer will allow volunteers to find and apply to adopt a green infrastructure feature near you!
GI Volunteer Program
Interested in caring for green infrastructure (GI) near you? Now you can apply to “adopt” a GI feature and provide care year-round!
The GI Volunteer Program (GIVP) is a City-sponsored program, with City-branded gear, tools and supplies. Volunteers will apply to adopt a GI feature and complete the City’s GIVP waiver. The City will provide GI maintenance training and resources so that volunteers can perform cleanup and beautification tasks on their own schedule. Members of the GIVP will also receive tools (safety vest, pair of gloves, 5 gallon bucket & trash pickers) and will have access to plant material when your GI needs replanting!
Volunteers will also have priority access to our free National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP) trainings, as well as opportunities to connect with employers in the green industry!
Regular volunteer tasks include: pulling weeds, removing leaf litter, picking up trash, pruning (only when instructed/approved) and, when seasonally appropriate, planting vegetation. Volunteers will also be asked to submit maintenance logs (virtually) and to report any damaged GI to the Office of Green Infrastructure.
There's one location still available for adoption from our first batch of sites - Contact OGI to adopt McConnell Playground in Dorchester!
New sites will be available for adoption soon - check back later or email us to join the waitlist!
GI available for adoption includes: Rain gardens, Bioswales, Bioretention areas, Constructed wetlands
Volunteers of all ages are welcome! This program is a great way to:
- Get civically-engaged in your neighborhood
- Meet new people and create community
- Build the volunteer section of your resume
- Get outdoors to enjoy the fresh air and sunlight
- Take care of your local green infrastructure - for the benefit of everyone!
Volunteer Events
The Office of Green Infrastructure (OGI) hosts regular green infrastructure (GI) volunteer events in all neighborhoods across the city.
Volunteer events are scheduled based on need and requests from the community. Volunteer activities include: picking up trash, removing leaf litter and other debris, weeding, pruning (when guided), and planting seasonally appropriate plant material in vegetated GI features, like rain gardens, bioswales, and constructed wetlands.
The OGI provides a brief training, as well as gloves and buckets to volunteers for the duration of the event. Sign up for one of our volunteer events and add the experience to your resume!
Please note that one-time volunteer events are separate from the "Green Infrastructure Volunteer Program" and require approval from & coordination with OGI.
