Welcome to the Stream & Park Cleanups Page
No matter where you are in Montgomery County, you are part of a watershed. A watershed is an area of land that drains to a creek, stream, river, and ocean. Trash and litter found in Montgomery Parks can find their way to the Potomac, Chesapeake Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean if not removed. Volunteers like you help protect our local environment, wildlife, watersheds, and the oceans from litter pollution!
Join us for the Virtual H20 Summit 2021 on November 10th from 1-4pm!
Register: https://bit.ly/H2OSummit2021
COVID Updates as of November 1, 2021:
- Volunteers must be fully vaccinated
- Volunteers must submit a Montgomery Parks Covid Waiver
- Volunteers are not required to wear a mask outdoors unless they cannot keep 6 ft apart
- The current minimum age to volunteer is 12 years old
- Anyone feeling sick or in recent contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19, may not volunteer at the event(s) assigned.
Upcoming Cleanups
Individuals and family volunteers can join our fall cleanup events:
Fall Cleanups
11/11 Veteran’s Day Cleanup at Rosemary Hills-Lyttonsville Park
11/14 Rock Creek-Beach Dr.
11/14 Parklawn Local Park Cleanup with Rock Creek Conservancy
11/22-24 MCPS Early Release Day Cleanups*
Check back for updates
*Hosted by Montgomery Parks: SIGN UP HERE! (click on the schedule tab)
Organize your own Group Cleanup
Scout troops, corporate groups, student groups, and community organizations can schedule a group cleanup day at a park or stream.
- Make sure all volunteers are fully vaccinated before your cleanup date
- Register your group here (we ask for a three week’s notice)
- We will contact you via phone or email and provide you with covid waiver instructions for your group
- Confirm date, time and cleanup site
For local/regional parks: pick up your cleanup supply kit and cleanup independently
For stream valley parks: we may assign a Stream Strider* volunteer to help lead your group and bring supplies
Stream Striders are trained volunteer leaders that support our Cleanups Program with leadership, education, and outdoor skills. Stream Strider led cleanups include a short litter/watershed based program to kick-off your cleanup. Spring applications will open in February 2022. If you have any questions or would like to request a Stream Strider led cleanup send us an email!
Find a Watershed Group near you!
Looking for more ways to get involved? Several local watershed organizations host cleanup events, restoration projects, and educational programs in Montgomery County.
Watershed Groups in Montgomery County:
- Friends of Cabin John Creek
- Friends of Sligo Creek
- Little Falls Watershed Alliance
- Muddy Branch Alliance
- Neighbors of Northwest Branch
- Seneca Creek Watershed Partners
- Watts Branch Watershed Alliance
Watershed Organizations in the DC area:
Volunteer Highlights
Congratulations to Pamela Godimer, Tarah Crooks, and Saatchi Barochia — winners of this year’s Clean Waterways Art Contest! Check out their designs here.
Ruby’s Quest by Pamela Godimer, Long Branch SVP
Keep Maryland Beautiful by Tarah Crooks, Rosemary Hills-Lyttonsville Park
Preserve Natural Habitats by Saatchi Barochia, Rock Creek Stream Valley Park
Other ways to help:
- Donate to Montgomery Parks through the Montgomery Parks Foundation
- Report parks that need a group cleanup to volunteer.cleanups@montgomeryparks.org
Questions?
Valeria Espinoza
Stream & Park Cleanups Volunteer Program Coordinator
Valeria.Espinoza@mongtomeryparks.org
