Volunteers still needed for some events in April
WHEATON, Md.- Montgomery Parks has a host of volunteers helping beautify local parks to mark Earth Month 2024, and there is still time for new or experienced volunteers to get involved. Most volunteer events are approved for Montgomery County Public Schools Student Service-Learning Hours (SSL).
Earth Month is an annual series of events designed to raise awareness about the environment and encourage people to protect natural resources. The first Earth Day observance began April 22, 1970, and has since expanded to a month-long event, celebrated worldwide.
Parks’ Volunteer Service Office is coordinating 110 trash cleanups this April. Many are staffed by volunteers from private groups, businesses, religious organizations, schools and scout troops.
“We expect this year’s cleanups to clear more than 30 thousand pounds of trash and litter from our parks, surpassing last year’s total,” said Valeria Espinoza, Montgomery Parks volunteer clean-up coordinator. “The contributions of our volunteers are invaluable. Montgomery Parks and our entire community owe them a big thank you!”
For information about volunteering for a park cleanup, visit Montgomery Parks Volunteer Service Office webpage.
The Montgomery Parks Weed Warrior program has over 40 weed clearing events scheduled this month. Weed Warrior volunteers remove non-native invasive plants and/or plant native species on parkland. No advanced training is required and interested volunteers can sign up to help on the Weed Warrior Events webpage.
Volunteer tree planters are needed for an event on Earth Day, Monday April 22, 2024. Montgomery Parks Urban Forestry team plans to plant 60 trees at Stewartown Local Park in Gaithersburg. The event runs from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.
The tree planting is part of Parks’ Urban Forest Patch program, which focuses on managing small, forested areas in urban areas. Forest patches can contribute environmental benefits for humans and wildlife. Volunteers can sign up for the tree planting here.
New opportunities to volunteer in Montgomery Parks are added to the website year-round. In most cases, students can earn MCPS student service learning hours. Visit Volunteer Service Office for complete details.
About Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 419 parks. Montgomery Parks is focused on promoting physical activity, social connectivity, and environmental stewardship, especially in diverse and urbanizing areas, with an emphasis on teens, working-age adults, and seniors. Montgomery Parks is a department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems. MontgomeryParks.org
Accessibility
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice/TTY), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org to request a disability modification. Visit Montgomery Parks Accessibility for more information. ###