Advocacy & Volunteering

Advocacy & Volunteering

Volunteer today at organizations that advocate for the greater good.

Featured resources

350 Bay Area

We are building a grassroots climate movement, working for deep reductions in carbon pollution in the San Francisco Bay Area & beyond.

Ann Arbor Ecology Center

The Ann Arbor Ecology Center works for a just and healthy environment through grassroots organizing, advocacy, education, and demonstration projects. Programs include climate and energy research, environmental education, farmland and natural area preservation, nontoxic product advocacy, chemical policy reform, and "Recycle Ann Arbor," which includes a Zero Waste initiative.

City of Berkeley Shorebird Park Nature Center Shoreline Clean-ups

Adopt-A-Shoreline program gives opportunity to take care of a specific section of the shoreline and watch it change over the season. Support for group leaders, they also provide maps, data cards, bags, gloves, etc.

Earth Island Institute

Earth Island Institute (EII) works on environmental issues in the global context by initiating conservation and restoration projects. Attempting to develop a worldwide network of Earth Island Centers. Publishes the quarterly Earth Island Journal. Sponsors the Brower Youth Awards. EII serves as an incubator for start-up environmental groups. Currently, Earth Island has more than 60 projects under sponsorship.

Friends of Five Creeks

Friends of Five Creeks is a volunteer organization that leads hands-on nature projects to restore native vegetation and wildlife habitat, lessen erosion and flooding, and provide trails and green corridors. They host free public Bay Currents talks, guided walks and provide info sheets on creek preservation, native plants and more on their website.

The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF)

The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) provides funding for projects that reduce UC Berkeley's negative impact on the environment and make UC Berkeley more sustainable. TGIF will allocate funds to projects that promote sustainable modes of transportation, increase energy and water efficiency, restore habitat, promote environmental and food justice, and reduce the amount of waste created by UC Berkeley. Portions of the fund also support education and behavior change initiatives, student aid (via return to aid), and internships. TGIF is supported by student fees and administered through a student-majority committee and a program coordinator.

The Watershed Project

The Watershed Project is committed to inspiring Bay Area communities to understand, appreciate and protect local watersheds. They are working to restore and preserve the unique ecosystems that make up the San Francisco Bay. They bring a watershed perspective to the urban environment, promoting green design and supporting natural cycles. The Watershed Project is always looking for volunteers. You can pitch in to clean up the shoreline, restore a creek bank or sign up for a workshop. Check the Calendar of Events to find volunteering opportunities.

Local tips & resources

350 Bay Area

We are building a grassroots climate movement, working for deep reductions in carbon pollution in the San Francisco Bay Area & beyond.

4-H Program Sonoma County

4-H Clubs are made up of youth and adults who plan, implement, and evaluate an annual plan of programs, projects, and activities. Youth officers lead the clubs under the guidance of an adult community club leader. Clubs meet monthly and provide a forum for organizing events and project activities for youth members. Parents and adult volunteers lead projects in a wide range of learning-by-doing interest areas. Project Based Learning curriculum are described for the following project areas: Animal Sciences (Small and Large); Arts & Leisure; Consumer Sciences; Engineering and Technology; Personal & Social Development; Plant Sciences; Resource Sciences.

5 Gyres

5 Gyres conducts research and communicates about the global impact of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans and employs strategies to eliminate the accumulation of plastic pollution in the 5 subtropical gyres. To stop the flow of plastic to the sea they advocate new materials, better designed products, fair legislation, and engage in consumer education. Post-consumer cleanup efforts focus on coastal and island debris removal and mitigation.

Abya Yala Fund for Indigenous Self-Development in South and Meso-America

Fosters greater self-reliance by indigenous peoples through support of struggles to protect homelands, natural environment and human rights, to improve health care, to address domestic legislation and international laws, to obtain access to communications media, to improve the conditions and status of women, to increase economic security, and to revitalize cultural and spiritual traditions. It is run by the indigenous people of the area. Website is in English and Spanish / Espanol.

Adopt-A-Beach, California Coastal Commission

Beach "adoption" involves commitment to cleaning the beach at least three times a year. Adopt-A-Beach provides education and guidance for beach adoption and/or neighborhood cleanup and educational materials/curricula for coastal cleanup.

Alameda Point Collaborative

A unique neighborhood located on 34 acres of Alameda Point. Comprised of formerly homeless residents, staff and volunteers who are dedicated to building their lives in a compassionate community. APC operates a community garden, bike shop, commercial plant nursery, health center and community center.

Alaska Coalition

A coalition of nearly 1000 conservation, sporting, labor, and religious groups working together to protect Alaska's wild public land.

Alliance for the Wild Rockies

Formed to meet the challenge of saving the Northern Rockies Bioregion from habitat destruction. Membership-based nonprofit organization; board and advisors include some of the nation's top scientists and conservationists.

American Friends Service Committee

A practical expression of the faith of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Committed to the principles of nonviolence and justice, it seeks in its work and witness to draw on the transforming power of love, human and divine. The Northern California Regional Office also has twelve programs on issues such as farm workers, Native Americans, hunger, homelessness, etc.

Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights

Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights is the only national lobbying organization dedicated to nonsmokers' rights, taking on the tobacco industry at all levels of government to protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke and youth from tobacco addiction. ANR pursues an action-oriented program of policy and legislation. The American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation, an educational nonprofit organization, creates comprehensive programs for school-age youth on issues of smoking prevention and their right to breathe smoke free air. We also provide educational materials to aid adults in their quest for a smoke free environment.

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