Environment

Did you know:

4 pounds of trash is created on average by each of us every day.
47,000 trees could be saved if we all swapped out one roll of regular toilet paper for a recyclable roll.
200 years – the average amount of time it takes for one plastic straw to decompose.
5.25 trillion – the number of pieces of plastic polluting our oceans. Every piece of plastic ever made still exists, and only 9% has ever been recycled.
We must take action now.

How can you take action today?

Waste and pollution aren’t just hard on us – they’re hard on plants and animals, too. Everything from the air we breathe to the water we drink can be affected. Here are a few ways you can reduce waste and pollution where you live:

Try the “Zero Waste Week Challenge.” Reducing your waste at home is a great way to start giving back to the Earth. Here are some tips to get you started – and who knows? Maybe you’ll be ready for a Zero Waste Month once the week is over.
Recycle the right way. Did you know dirty items might not get recycled, and that it only takes one contaminated good for the whole bin to get thrown out? Check your local recycling center’s guidelines to ensure you’re recycling correctly.
Give up plastic straws. It’s important to have products at home that can be used again and again, instead of plastics that can be used once. Start by swapping out plastic straws for ones made with a reusable material, like stainless steel.
Find a service opportunity near you. Pick an issue or project in your community that speaks to you – and speak up for what matters. Start your search now!

Educational Activities

Repurposed Crayon Collection Drive

1 - 2 hrs

Cats, dogs and rabbits at Pasadena Humane are patiently waiting for new homes. You can help entertain and keep them happy by making toys! Completed service projects may be submitted any time Tuesday ...

Crayon Collection

Fun Fundraising For Safer Waters

1 - 2 hrs

Not interested or able to attend our beach cleanups but want to help Heal the Bay protect our beaches and the marine animals that live in our ocean waters? Maybe you are a rockstar at raising money ...

Heal the Bay

Got Bags? We need them!

30 - 60-Minutes

Bundle and drop off the standard size grocery paper bags with handles (no rips or stains).

Food Link

Keep Active by Advocating for the Environment from Home

1 - 2 hrs

We hope you're healthy and staying safe! Below are some fun ways to keep busy at home by advocating for our environment. In difficult times like these, it's so important to keep focused on the ...

Grades of Green

LIVE at Heal the Bay Aquarium!

30 - 60-Minutes

Every Tuesday at 11am PDT, we're going Live from Heal the Bay Aquarium. Watch our Facebook Live videos from this week and last week, and catch up with us next week.

Heal the Bay

FaceBook LIVE with Hidden Villa!

30 - 60-Minutes

We are all connected! Hidden Villa fosters educational experiences that build connections and inspire a deeper appreciation and respect for nature, food, and one another. Join our Backyard ...

Hidden Villa

World of Wonder Learn @ Home With Hidden Villa

30 - 60-Minutes

We are all connected! Hidden Villa fosters educational experiences that build connections and inspire a deeper appreciation and respect for nature, food, and one another. We are thrilled to share ...

Hidden Villa

Recycle Worn Out Shoes

30 - 60-Minutes

Keep your shoes out of landfills and recycle them through programs that use the materials.

Create the Change®

Make Bee Bombs to Help Develop Pollinator Habitats

30-Minutes or Less

Seedles, or little seed "bombs" made of kitty litter, potting soil, and seeds that gardeners can plant literally anywhere. Whether thrown onto the banks of a river or deposited alongside a mountain ...

Victory Programs

Historic Orchard Volunteer Workday - ON HOLD

The Historic Orchard is a 3.3-acre site, planted in 1994, located in Guadalupe Gardens just south of Taylor Street and adjacent to the River Park trails. The orchard contains over 200 fruit trees: ...

Guadalupe River Park Conservancy

Nothin' But Sand Beach Cleanup

1 - 2 hrs

Help pick up litter and trash while having a fun day at the beach! Heal the Bay's Nothin' But Sand Beach Cleanups are a great way to complete community service hours, have fun with your friends and ...

Heal the Bay

Litter CleanUp

30-Minutes or Less

Volunteering with Clean Planet Project is simple... get outside and use the Litter CleanUp app to track your progress on cleanups! The app is designed to make outdoor cleanups simple, fun, and ...

Clean Planet Project Co.

Help Beautify our Garden

30 - 60-Minutes

Do you love to garden? Well, now that we are back in-person, our garden could use some TLC. We really want to bring back the beautiful garden so our children can learn through experience! Help with ...

Family Connections

Become a Citizen Scientist

30-Minutes or Less

Using the iNaturalist app, take photos of plants and animals to increase theglobal databank of biodiversity information used for both science and conservation.

Friends Of The Blue Hills

Clear the Trails! Join Us for Trail Maintenance

1 - 2 hrs

We do everything from digging in the dirt, clipping branches, painting blazes, moving rocks, building steps, changing and building trails. Every trail project is unique and we have work for ...

Friends Of The Blue Hills

THE GREAT LA RIVER CLEANUP 2022

3 - 4+ hrs

THE GREAT LA RIVER CLEANUP RETURNS JUNE & JULY 2022 Join FoLAR and our amazing partners for our annual series of River CleanUps this summer. The CleanUp spans weekends in June and July, excluding the ...

Friends of the Los Angeles River

Create environmental impact in your school or community with our Toolkits

Multi-day

Grades of Green's LAUNCH Project Toolkits are great for teachers and students and include teacher-ready materials and guides to use in the classroom. Toolkits are also designed to put the students in ...

Grades of Green

RISE Climate Solutions Campaign

Multi-day

Over the course of the 2021/22 School year, student teams will create their own project around an eco-topic. They will become experts on an environmental issue as they: identify a climate problem, ...

Grades of Green

Trail Clean Up @ Guadalupe River Park

3 - 4+ hrs

The Guadalupe River Park Conservancy provides community leadership for the development and active use of the Guadalupe River Park & Gardens through education, advocacy and stewardship. Help us clean ...

Guadalupe River Park Conservancy

Adopt-a-Beach

3 - 4+ hrs

Volunteer while staying safe and practicing physical distancing through Heal the Bay's Adopt a Beach program. Commit to three cleanups in one year at your chosen outdoor place (a neighborhood, beach, ...

Heal the Bay

Join one of the Clean-Up Events in your Area

3 - 4+ hrs

Volunteer for a community service event in your area or register your event now to add it to our event calendar.

Keep Massachusetts Beautiful

Join the Massachusetts Litter Cleanup Crew

30 - 60-Minutes

Be an Environmental Hero in Your Community by Joining the Massachusetts Litter Cleanup Crew Incorporate litter cleanups into your daily walks, whether those walks are by yourself, with your dog, or ...

Keep Massachusetts Beautiful

Ocean Beach Cleanup

1 - 2 hrs

The San Francisco Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's ocean, waves and beaches, for all people, through a powerful activist network. Beach clean-up ...

San Francisco Surfrider Foundation

Solo / Socially Distant CLEANUP

1 - 2 hrs

The San Francisco Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's ocean, waves and beaches, for all people, through a powerful activist network. As we begin to see ...

San Francisco Surfrider Foundation

Be Our Partner in Plastic Reduction at our Volunteer Events

30-Minutes or Less

The Charles River Conservancy invites you to be our partner in single-use plastic reduction. Check out our Plastic Reduction Plan for ideas on how to reduce single-use plastic at your volunteer ...

The Charles River Conservancy

Photograph Our Parks

30 - 60-Minutes

Do you find beauty in the Charles River parks? Do you love taking photographs? Are you an aspiring photographer looking to expand your portfolio, or an experienced one looking to give back to your ...

The Charles River Conservancy

Schedule a Volunteer Day for your Group

3 - 4+ hrs

Each year, the Conservancy works with approximately 2,000 volunteers to perform vital park maintenance work and ensure permanent improvements in the parks. Volunteer events are a great way to get ...

The Charles River Conservancy

ReVision Urban Farm

3 - 4+ hrs

Ongoing physically distanced volunteer opportunities are available during the spring, summer, and fall months at Victory Programs' ReVision Urban Farm. Come lend a hand and be a part of the growing ...

Victory Programs

Office and Special Projects Volunteer

1 - 2 hrs

Most of our volunteers work outside on the farm, but there are times when we welcome help with indoor projects such as mailings, data entry, research, IT and social media support, event organization, ...

Gaining Ground

Garden Builds and Renovations

3 - 4+ hrs

We like to get our hands dirty building beautiful gardens in schools and we'd love your help! We think all kids should be able to eat colorful, fresh, healthy foods right at their schools. We also ...

EnrichLA

Harvest Helpers at our Field of Greens - Seasonal

3 - 4+ hrs

If you like working outside in nature, then this is the opportunity for you! Time at the Field of Greens farm is spent weeding, harvesting and washing vegetables such as kale, collard greens, ...

Food For Free

Family Flower Planting for Women's Shelter

1 - 2 hrs

Bring your kids to learn about housing justice and plant flowers for a women's shelter in East New York. Open to all ages, but geared toward 3-7 year olds.

Repair the World NYC

* Garden for Good *

1 - 2 hrs

Plant. Weed. Prune. Tasks depend on the season and the needs in our garden. The Children's Room holds several Garden Volunteer Days throughout the year. No experience necessary! All garden days are ...

The Children's Room

Work With Our Farmers to Grow Organic Produce

1 - 2 hrs

Join our farmers in hands-on tasks such as preparing the soil, nurturing the plants, harvesting and washing produce. Because of your help, we can donate all of the vegetables, fruit, flowers and ...

Gaining Ground

Sensory Trail Spring Spruce

1 - 2 hrs

Each Spring we look for a group of volunteers to help us clean, tidy, rake, mulch, paint, and set up our Sensory Trail for our therapeutic riders and their therapy ponies.

BINA Farm Center

New Service Opportunity

30-Minutes or Less

New Service Opportunity

New Service Opportunity 1

30 - 60-Minutes

New Service Opportunity

Mott Haven Fridge Network Test 2

30-Minutes or Less

Mott Haven Fridge Network Test 2

Sign Up for a Free Talking Trash & Recycling Presentation

30 - 60-Minutes

Our Talking Trash & Recycling program is an interactive presentation that teaches residents, employees, and students about what really happens to their trash and recyclables here in Massachusetts.

Keep Massachusetts Beautiful

Planet911 Film Challenge

1 - 2 hrs

Planet911 is an international call to action to youth across the world using film, arts, music and media, as a way to protect the future of our planet By empowering our youth and creating a strong ...

Planet 911

Bean Green

30-Minutes or Less

Grow a plant at home using just a bean. Explore the plant life cycle and learn about how plants get energy needed to grow.

The Energy Coalition

Bean Sprouts

30-Minutes or Less

Develop a basic understanding of renewable and nonrenewable resources and the basic needs of plants.

The Energy Coalition

Best Dressed

30-Minutes or Less

Engage with the concept of saving energy by dressing appropriately for the weather, even while indoors. Then, brainstorm ways to apply this knowledge at home. Demonstrate your understanding of ...

The Energy Coalition

Bioplastic Buzz

30 - 60-Minutes

Practice chemistry at home by making bioplastic from milk. Understand the environmental impacts of plastics and explore alternatives to petroleum-based plastic.

The Energy Coalition

Carbon Quest

1 - 2 hrs

Utilize knowledge of the human impact on the environment to understand how everyday actions contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

The Energy Coalition

Consider the Source

1 - 2 hrs

Use two types of beans to represent energy generated from different resources in the United States - one to represent resources and the other to represent nonrenewable resources. Go through various ...

The Energy Coalition

Creating a Force

30 - 60-Minutes

Build an electromagnet by creating a path for an electric current to pass through a wire and create an invisible magnetic force surrounding the wire. Use this concept to magnetize a metal object (a ...

The Energy Coalition

Crisis Diverted

30 - 60-Minutes

Discover the importance of recycling and composting and examine components of household waste. Learn the importance of properly disposing of their household waste to reduce the environmental impacts ...

The Energy Coalition

Defeat the Heat

30-Minutes or Less

Understand how humans contribute to climate change. Observe how temperature increases when greenhouse gases are released and trapped in the atmosphere.

The Energy Coalition

E-Waste Experts

1 - 2 hrs

Learn what classifies as e-waste (electronic waste) and the importance of proper disposal. Explore the negative environmental impacts of creating and improperly disposing e-waste.

The Energy Coalition

Egg Drop

1 - 2 hrs

Explore & Learn - Be an engineer and design a container to protect an egg from a 6-foot drop! Students will learn about potential and kinetic energy as they practice engineering design.

The Energy Coalition

Emissions Reducers

1 - 2 hrs

Discover how much emissions daily activities produce and develop strategies to reduce daily emissions.

The Energy Coalition

Feedback Loops

1 - 2 hrs

Learn the effects that feedback loops have on systems and how they influence climate across the globe.

The Energy Coalition

Filtration Fighter Mask

1 - 2 hrs

Create a breathing mask from sustainable materials to the air breathed from harmful chemicals and bacteria.

The Energy Coalition

Food for Thought

30 - 60-Minutes

Explore the impacts of plastic on ocean wildlife and learn basic cooking skills! Apply cause and effect to understand biomagnification by using a simple model.

The Energy Coalition

From Matter to Methane

1 - 2 hrs

Explore how natural gas, particularly methane, is produced and captured by observing the decomposition of organic materials over seven days. Understand the use of natural gas as an energy source and ...

The Energy Coalition

Harvesting Energy

30 - 60-Minutes

Our mission is to empower communities to leap into the future of clean energy. Learn about different energy sources used to produce electricity. Evaluate information about renewable and nonrenewable ...

The Energy Coalition

How Water Travels

30 - 60-Minutes

Our mission is to empower communities to leap into the future of clean energy. Students will explore the relationship between water and energy by building a model to see how water travels to get to ...

The Energy Coalition

Imitate Nature's Design

30 - 60-Minutes

Our mission is to empower communities to leap into the future of clean energy. Take inspiration from your surrounding environment. Explore natural structures, layouts, shapes, and patterns from ...

The Energy Coalition

Insulation Inspection

1 - 2 hrs

Conduct an insulation audit on areas with potential air leaks. Use your home as an inspection ground for finding air leaks and record observations. Once the inspection occurs, determine methods to ...

The Energy Coalition

It's Getting Hot in Here

1 - 2 hrs

Our mission is to empower communities to leap into the future of clean energy. Learn how greenhouse gases and black carbon pollute our environment and contribute to global limate change. Plan and ...

The Energy Coalition

It's Not Magic, It's Electricity

30 - 60-Minutes

Our mission is to empower communities to leap into the future of clean energy. Discover the steps of electrical generation and how choosing between renewable and nonrenewable resources can ...

The Energy Coalition

Landfill Regulators

1 - 2 hrs

Students will learn about what we send to the landfills, how it affects bird populations, and actions to reduce waste.

The Energy Coalition

Let's Get Creative With Trash Art!

1 - 2 hrs

Our mission is to empower communities to leap into the future of clean energy. Design and build planters out of plastic water bottles as a way to combat plastic pollution and waste. Utilize ...

The Energy Coalition

Making Waves

30 - 60-Minutes

Our mission is to empower communities to leap into the future of clean energy. Explore the movement of energy through different materials and experience two different kinds of waves, small ocean ...

The Energy Coalition

Particle Pollution Problem

1 - 2 hrs

Build and revise an anatomical model to gain an understanding of the sources and impacts of air pollution.

The Energy Coalition

pH Power

1 - 2 hrs

Students will explore acids and bases and become a chemist in their kitchen as they make a pH indicator dye from red cabbage.

The Energy Coalition

Problems with Plastics

1 - 2 hrs

Our mission is to empower communities to leap into the future of clean energy. Explore the process of how a simple plastic water bottle is made, beginning with the extraction of raw materials and ...

The Energy Coalition

Request For Energy

30-Minutes or Less

Our mission is to empower communities to leap into the future of clean energy. Explore the different types of energy that occur during a roller coaster ride build a model roller coaster out of ...

The Energy Coalition

Ride On!

30 - 60-Minutes

The Energy Coalition

Sailing to a Green Future

30 - 60-Minutes

Explore green careers by simulating what green engineers may do on the job. Use recycled material to design and build a boat. Design and build a sailboat (skills to practice engineering design) ...

The Energy Coalition

Seashell Science

30-Minutes or Less

Learn about the impacts of fossil fuels and explore biology by modeling cell membrane transport and the impact of ocean acidification using an egg!

The Energy Coalition

Spread the Word - Save Energy!

1 - 2 hrs

Our mission is to empower communities to leap into the future of clean energy. Create a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to spread the word about saving energy, conserving resources, and making a ...

The Energy Coalition

The Force of the Wind

1 - 2 hrs

Our mission is to empower communities to leap into the future of clean energy. Investigate the force of the wind against materials found at home and observe how wind can alter the natural ...

The Energy Coalition

Trash or Treasure?

30 - 60-Minutes

Design and build planters out of plastic water bottles as a way to combat plastic pollution and waste. They will use resources at home that would otherwise be considered trash to repurpose a plastic ...

The Energy Coalition

Under Pressure

30 - 60-Minutes

Learn how Bernoullia's Principle, air movement, and forces help airplanes get off the ground, and allow wind turbines to make energy!

The Energy Coalition

Who Needs Water?

1 - 2 hrs

Learn about the ways we use water in our everyday lives. Play a simple game to discover what it means when the demand for water increases, but the available water supply decreases.

The Energy Coalition

Wind it Up!

1 - 2 hrs

Our mission is to empower communities to leap into the future of clean energy. Learn about the force of windâ€”design and engineer a wind power pulley system from household materials.

The Energy Coalition

Learn @HOME with Tree People!

1 - 2 hrs

TreePeople is an environmental nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire, engage and support people to take personal responsibility for the urban environment, making it safe, healthy, fun ...

TreePeople

TEst Educational Activity

30 - 60-Minutes

Educational Activity

Additional Resources

United States Environmental Protection Agency - Get classroom resources for students of all ages, plus activities for young planet protectors.
Meet the Greens - This is a site made just for kids looking to save the planet, with games, downloadables, and great information.
National Wildlife Federation - Learn new ways to get outside and become an advocate for the environment.
Get Green Now - From what plastic straws do to the environment to why saving water matters, learn the ins and out of helping the earth.
Environmental Justice Resources for Educators and Students - Environmental justice can be a complex and sensitive topic to learn and teach. The resources on this page can provide some guidance.
Youth Civil Rights Academy: Environmental Justice - Environmental justice is a movement to address issues — such as clean air, clean water, and a healthy and stable climate— that affect all people, especially low-income and minority communities.
Environmental Education Virtual Field Trips for Nature Lovers - Environmental education also requires students to research issues and form their own opinion based on their research. Luckily, there are many resources available to aid educators in providing high-quality environmental education.

Our Nonprofit Partners

Crayon Collection

Los Angeles, CA

Our mission is simple: to collect as many crayons as possible and donate them to kids in need in an...

Heal the Bay

Santa Monica, CA

Heal the Bay is an environmental nonprofit dedicated to making the coastal waters and watersheds of...

Food Link

Arlington, MA

Food Link is a community organization that rescues fresh food, alleviates hunger, and contributes...

Grades of Green

El Segundo, CA

Grades of Green is a non-profit with the mission to inspire and empower kids and the broader school...

Heal the Bay

Santa Monica, CA

Heal the Bay is an environmental nonprofit dedicated to making the coastal waters and watersheds of...

Hidden Villa

Los Altos Hills, CA

Our mission is to foster educational experiences that build connections and inspire a deeper...

Hidden Villa

Los Altos Hills, CA

Our mission is to foster educational experiences that build connections and inspire a deeper...

Create the Change®

No one is too young to make a long-lasting difference. We can build a more empathetic and equitable...

Victory Programs

Boston, MA

Victory Programs has been helping individuals and families in crisis in the Boston are for over 40...

Guadalupe River Park Conservancy

San Jose, CA

The Guadalupe River Park Conservancy provides community leadership for the development and active...

Heal the Bay

Santa Monica, CA

Heal the Bay is an environmental nonprofit dedicated to making the coastal waters and watersheds of...

Clean Planet Project Co.

Broomfield, Colorado

Our mission at Clean Planet Project is to encourage outdoor conservation, volunteerism, and...

Family Connections

Palo Alto, CA

Our mission is to create the highest quality family learning community so underserved children and...

Friends Of The Blue Hills

Milton, MA

The Friends Of The Blue Hills takes care of the Blue Hills Reservation, an amazing park that has...

Friends Of The Blue Hills

Milton, MA

The Friends Of The Blue Hills takes care of the Blue Hills Reservation, an amazing park that has...

Friends of the Los Angeles River

Los Angeles, CA

Mission We build capacity for communities, students, and future leaders to advocate for nature,...

Grades of Green

El Segundo, CA

Grades of Green is a non-profit with the mission to inspire and empower kids and the broader school...

Grades of Green

El Segundo, CA

Grades of Green is a non-profit with the mission to inspire and empower kids and the broader school...

Guadalupe River Park Conservancy

San Jose, CA

The Guadalupe River Park Conservancy provides community leadership for the development and active...

Heal the Bay

Santa Monica, CA

Heal the Bay is an environmental nonprofit dedicated to making the coastal waters and watersheds of...

Keep Massachusetts Beautiful

Mansfield, MA

We're taking action to make Massachusetts communities cleaner, greener, litter-free places to live,...

Keep Massachusetts Beautiful

Mansfield, MA

We're taking action to make Massachusetts communities cleaner, greener, litter-free places to live,...

San Francisco Surfrider Foundation

San Francisco, CA

The San Francisco Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s...

San Francisco Surfrider Foundation

San Francisco, CA

The San Francisco Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s...

The Charles River Conservancy

Cambridge, MA

The Charles River Conservancy strives to make the Charles River and its parks a well-maintained...

The Charles River Conservancy

Cambridge, MA

The Charles River Conservancy strives to make the Charles River and its parks a well-maintained...

The Charles River Conservancy

Cambridge, MA

The Charles River Conservancy strives to make the Charles River and its parks a well-maintained...

Mott Haven Fridge Network

Bronx, NY

A non-profit organization fighting food insecurity by filling community fridges in uptown Manhattan...

Mott Haven Fridge Network

Bronx, NY

A non-profit organization fighting food insecurity by filling community fridges in uptown Manhattan...

Mott Haven Fridge Network Test

Bronx, NY

A non-profit organization fighting food insecurity by filling community fridges in uptown Manhattan...

Keep Massachusetts Beautiful

Mansfield, MA

We're taking action to make Massachusetts communities cleaner, greener, litter-free places to live,...

Planet 911

Malibu, CA

Planet911 is an international call to action to youth across the world using film, arts, music and...