VOLUNTEER | Howard EcoWorks

Upcoming Volunteer Events

Alternative Spring Break

Dates:4/14-18/25

Choose from Multiple locations, dates, and times

Details: Alternative Spring Break is an annual volunteer event hosted by Howard EcoWorks. It runs during Howard County Public School System's scheduled Spring Break, and offers a chance for students and adults to engage in public service.

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When you sign up on our volunteer list, we will email you about upcoming opportunities.

Suggest a Clean Up Site

Is there an area that you know of that needs a clean up? Fill our this form to let us know!

Suggest a Volunteer Clean Up Site

View Past Volunteer Events

Native Seed Processing Workshop

On Feb. 26, we hosted a Native Seed Processing Workshop led by Natural Resource Specialist Zsuzsanna Cooke. Volunteers learned about the importance of native plants and how we use native seeds in our conservation efforts.

Volunteers then helped process native seeds from their dried husks, which our teams had harvested in the fall. The seeds were sorted and organized for future use. Our plan is to propagate these plants in conservation projects using local ecotypes to support native ecosystems. This process is made possible thanks to a grant funded by the Howard County Government.

HOLLY HILLS CLEAN UP

On Dec. 7th, 2024, we hosted our first event and soft launch of Holly Hills with a volunteer Clean Up event. Our staff led a team of volunteers to clean up debris around the old house, mulch mature trees around the property, and tackle forest management in the conservation area. To learn more about Holly Hills, click here.

Group photo of volunteers and staff in their winter coats standing in front of the doors of a large red barn

Female volunteer smiling with a rake and a pile of leaves wearing a light brown jacket and blue jeans

Older male volunteer raking leaves off the driveway wearing a green jacket and hat

Young male volunteer wearing a red jacket and blue jeans smiling with lopping a vine off a tree

Young male staff member wearing a plaid jacket and hat stooped on the ground shoveling out an unwanted bush

You male staff member in a grey jacket and brown pants lopping a vine off a tree

Female volunteer in a brown jacket on the ground gathering weeds in the forest

Volunteers and staff in the conservation areas working on trees in tree cages

Older male volunteer wearing a grey jacket and blue jeans smiling while holding tools

Lori wearing a dark jacket and hat, stretching her arms across the bed of her truck filled with mulch and tools, while smiling

Volunteers mulching areas around the trees

Seed Production Volunteers

On Nov 14th, 2024, our programs coordinator, Matt Hemler, led a volunteer activity with the help of marketing and outreach coordinator, Elura Morris. The primary goal was to package our seed packets and seed bombs for the holidays. Volunteers got to learn more about our native seed mixes and the ideal conditions in which they grow. The volunteers helped us assemble native seed products in record time!

2 volunteers smiling while assembling Maryland native seed packets

View from the left of the room of all the volunteers while Matt is directing in the middle.

3 volunteers assembling Maryland native seed bombs

View from the right of the room of all the volunteers with Matt gathering supplies

Elura pouring out native seeds in a bowl

from from the back of the room of all the volunteers

A group of 5 volunteers assembling Maryland native seed packets

A group of 4 volunteers towards the back putting together seed packets

Maryland native seed bomb packing finished

EcoAmbassador Clean Up

On August 1st, 2024 our EcoAmbassadors and Project coordinator, Matt Hemler, organized two clean-up events. We had 30 volunteers split between Thomas Viaduct Middle School and Long Reach Village Center. Together they filled 10 full bags estimated at 300 pounds of trash and debris.

Thomas Viaduct Middle School in Hanover, MD

Long Reach Village Center in Columbia, MD

Thomas Viaduct Middle School in Hanover, MD

Long Reach Village Center in Columbia, MD

Nursery Shed Painters

In July, 2024, we had volunteers from Girl Scout Troop #1250 come to our native plant nursery, Seeds of Change. Together, with the help of staff members, they gave our new shed a protective green coat!