Join Keep Durham Beautiful and The Glass Jug - RTP for a Plant and Seed Swap on Sunday, April 14th from 2PM to 4PM.

What can you bring to the Swap? Seeds or Rooted plants grown from seed, cuttings, or divisions including vegetable plants, herbs, annuals, perennials, houseplants, succulents, even shrubs or trees!

Try to label in advance but if you don't get a chance, we'll have blank labels on site for you. Please avoid NC invasive species. We always love to see natives and pollinator-friendly species.

Don't have much to contribute? No problem. There will be plenty of extra plants and seeds on hand. Just come pick some things up and enjoy yourself!

Gardening enthusiasts and vendors will be on-site to answer questions.

Enjoy a cold beverage from our friends at The Glass Jug while you're here!

Happy Library Fest! Celebrate nature at Bragtown Branch Library on Friday, April 12th. Join Keep Durham Beautiful for a litter cleanup along Dearborn Drive.

All ages are welcome! All supplies will be provided.

Questions? Please reach out to dawn@keepdurhambeautiful.org

See the full list of Durham Library Fest events at: https://durhamcountylibrary.org/libraryfest/events/

Happy Library Fest! Celebrate nature at North Regional Library. Join Keep Durham Beautiful for a storytime about litter prevention. After storytime, we will clean up trash around the libarary.

All ages are welcome! All supplies will be provided.

Questions? Please reach out to Molly at mschaefer@dconc.gov

See the full list of Durham Library Fest events at: https://durhamcountylibrary.org/libraryfest/events/

Join the Merrick-Moore Community Development Corporation for a garden workday in the Samuel Green Sr. Community Garden (2421 Cheek Road) from 10AM to 12PM!

Activities will include a combination of mulching, planting, harvesting, and composting. Other upcoming volunteer dates include March 2, March 16, March 30, April 6, April 20, & May 18. Groups of up to 15 can be accomodated with prior approval.

Send an email to Reema Garabadu at reema@merrickmoorecdc.org for more information or to RSVP.

Join the Merrick-Moore Community Development Corporation for a garden workday in the Samuel Green Sr. Community Garden (2421 Cheek Road) from 10AM to 12PM!

Activities will include a combination of mulching, planting, harvesting, and composting. Other upcoming volunteer dates include March 2, March 16, March 30, April 6, April 20, & May 18. Groups of up to 15 can be accomodated with prior approval.

Send an email to Reema Garabadu at reema@merrickmoorecdc.org for more information or to RSVP.

Looking for a way to give back to the Durham community? Become a Litter Leader!

Join us for an in-person Litter Leaders Training at our offices. During this one-hour training, you'll learn how to get involved with and support KDB's litter cleanups, and be given all the tools and resources you need to become a community leader and advocate for litter prevention. Drinks and light snacks will be provided.

Once you have received training, we will provide the resources necessary to be a litter prevention advocate and lead KDB cleanup events. More information on the Litter Leaders Program can be found on our website at keepdurhambeautiful.org/litter-leaders.

Any questions or concerns can be directed to dawn@keepdurhambeautiful.org.

Register to attend below!

Join the Merrick-Moore Community Development Corporation for a garden workday in the Samuel Green Sr. Community Garden (2421 Cheek Road) from 10AM to 12PM!

Activities will include a combination of mulching, planting, harvesting, and composting. Other upcoming volunteer dates include March 2, March 16, March 30, April 6, April 20, & May 18. Groups of up to 15 can be accomodated with prior approval.

Send an email to Reema Garabadu at reema@merrickmoorecdc.org for more information or to RSVP.

Join the Merrick-Moore Community Development Corporation for a garden workday in the Samuel Green Sr. Community Garden (2421 Cheek Road) from 10AM to 12PM!

Activities will include a combination of mulching, planting, harvesting, and composting. Other upcoming volunteer dates include March 16, March 30, April 6, April 20, & May 18. Groups of up to 15 can be accomodated with prior approval.

Send an email to Reema Garabadu at reema@merrickmoorecdc.org for more information or to RSVP.

If you have taken our Litter Leaders Training in the past but still need more practice to feel comfortable leading a group in a litter pickup, this training is for you! If you haven’t taken a Litter Leaders Training before, consider watching a recorded version of the training first.

In this training, we will do a litter pickup from start finish. We will go over the basics of getting set up for an event, doing introductions and giving instructions, planning for the end (where to pile bags, who to notify, etc), and all the specific steps that are important to putting on a successful and impactful litter cleanup.

Let us know you’re coming, register below!

Join us on Satuday, January 20th 2024 at 11am for a Winter Tree ID Walk with Matt Archibald, a Treecologist & Consultant with Leaf & Limb at Northgate Park.

Learn the basics of how to identify common trees after the leaves have fallen, using attributes like the bark, branch structure, and apical buds.

This workshop is considered continuing education for our Tree Keeper volunteers, but anyone who is interested in learning how to identify trees is welcome to attend. Attendance will be capped at 20 participants, so registration is required to attend.

THIS EVENT HAS REACHED CAPACITY. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST, PLEASE EMAIL DAWN@KEEPDURHAMBEAUTIFUL.ORG

Join us on Thursday, January 18th 2024 at 1pm for a Winter Tree ID Walk at Forest Hills Park with City of Durham Urban Forester Alex Johnson!

Learn the basics of how to identify common trees after the leaves have fallen, using attributes like the bark, branch structure, and apical buds.

This workshop is considered continuing education for our Tree Keeper volunteers, but anyone who is interested in learning how to identify trees is welcome to attend. Attendance will be capped at 20 participants, so registration is required to attend.

This event has reached capacity. if you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email dawn@keepdurhambeautiful.org

Join Keep Durham Beautiful and our partners to help beautify Durham in honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We will have several events on MLK Day and throughout the week. Address and meeting instructions will be sent by email for the location you select.

KDB will provide all tools for projects. KDB and/or partner staff will meet volunteers at each location.

Most of our project sites are full for this weekend. We have recently added the following, (please register below):

• Southside Litter Cleanup on 1/15 from 10AM-noon - meet at the corner of South St and Lakewood Ave across from BP gas station. Parking available on Blackwell St.

• Cigarette Litter Cleanup on 1/15 from 1PM-3PM at Durham Station at 515 W. Pettigrew St. in downtown Durham. Parking at corner of S. Duke St. and W. Chapel Hill St.

please consider joining projects from our partners

If you find our opportunities for MLK Day of Service are full, please consider joining up with these great organizations hosting service opportunities:

• Merrick-Moore Community is having a garden workday on 1/15 from 9am to 11am. Register here!

• Trees for the Triangle is having a tree planting at the Taylor Family YMCA in Cary on 1/15 from 12pm to 2pm. Register here!

• Urban Community Agronomics is hosting a farm workday at the Catawba Trail Farm on Saturday, Jan 13th AND Monday, Jan 15th. Learn more here.

If you have taken our Litter Leaders Training in the past but still need more practice to feel comfortable leading a group in a litter pickup, this training is for you! If you haven’t taken a Litter Leaders Training before, consider attending our virtual training on January 10th, or watching a recorded version of the training first.

In this training, we will do a litter pickup from start finish. We will go over the basics of getting set up for an event, doing introductions and giving instructions, planning for the end (where to pile bags, who to notify, etc), and all the specific steps that are important to putting on a successful and impactful litter cleanup.

If you can’t make this event, don’t fret! We plan to host these trainings quarterly in line with our beginners trainings.

Let us know you’re coming, register below!

Looking for a way to give back to the Durham community? Become a Litter Leader!

Join us for a virtual Litter Leaders Training via Zoom. During this one-hour training, you'll learn how to get involved with and support KDB's litter cleanups, and be given all the tools and resources you need to become a community leader and advocate for litter prevention

Once you have received training, we will provide the resources necessary to be a litter prevention advocate and lead KDB cleanup events. More information on the Litter Leaders Program can be found on our website at keepdurhambeautiful.org/litter-leaders.

The Zoom link will be sent out before the training to those who register. Any questions or concerns can be directed to dawn@keepdurhambeautiful.org.

Register to attend below!

THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED - NEW DATE TBD

Join Keep Durham Beautiful, Durham Parks & Rec, and Durham County Department of Public Health on Friday, December 15th at 11AM for a Healthy Mile Trail Cleanup at the Holton Career & Resource Center! We will be clearing overgrown sidewalks, picking up litter, and marking the trail with fresh paint.

Keep Durham Beautiful is marching in the Durham Parks & Rec (DPR) Durham Holiday Parade again this year, and we'd love for you to join us! This year's parade is Saturday, December 9th at 10AM.

Volunteers will walk with a decorated City truck driven by KDB staff and pick up litter from along the parade route. This is a great opportunity for scouts or other groups who want to do service to Durham in a fun and festive way!

All ages and abilities are welcome to join us, and we encourage you to dress festively. In order to participate, everyone is also required by DPR to fill out and sign (or have a guardian sign for them) a waiver. This must be completed prior to participation that day. View the waiver here.

**PARTICIPANTS UNDER THE AGE OF 16 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN**
Register to join us in the parade here!

Join members of the Merrick-Moore Neighborood at 9am on Saturday, December 9th for a neighborhood cleanup!

The cleanup will happen along Mayo Street. Volunteers should meet at the end of the street, using 818 Mayo Street for navigation.

This event is suitable for all adults, and children 12+. Please dress for the weather, and wear closed-toed shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Keep Durham Beautiful will provide all tools, including gloves, litter grabbers, safety vests, and trash bags.

If it rains, we will re-evaluate and host in January.

Email reema@merrickmoorecdc.org for more information or details.

Register to attend below!

Join Keep Durham Beautiful and Honeygirl Meadery for a street cleanup in honor of America Recycles Day! We will start at Honeygirl (105 Hood St) and work our way down both sides of Elizabeth St. Both sides of the road have sidewalks, so this cleanup is safe for chaperoned children 8 years old and up.

REgister below to let us know you’re coming!

Join Ocean Wise Conservation Association and Duke University for a community cleanup starting at Elmira Ave Park (540 Elmira Ave) on Saturday, November 4th from 2-4PM!

Gloves, litter grabbers and trash bags will be provided by Keep Durham Beautiful. Please help us reduce waste by bringing your own reusable water bottle. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long pants, and dress for the weather. Supervised children of all ages are welcome!

Register to attend below!

Help prevent food waste from going to the landfill by composting this year’s holiday pumpkins! Stations will be set up for residents to drop/smash/toss their post-Halloween jack-o'-lanterns and decorative pumpkins to be composted, not landfilled!

On Saturday, November 4th, from 8AM - 12PM, drop off UNPAINTED and EMPTY jack-o'-lanterns or whole pumpkins at these locations:

• C.M. Herndon Park, 511 Scott King Rd.

• Valley Springs Park, 3805 Valley Springs Rd.

• Rock Quarry Park, 701 Stadium Dr.

• Merrick-Moore Park, 632 N. Hoover Rd

• Southern Boundaries Park, 3400 Third Fork Rd.

• Bethesda Park, 1814 Stage Rd.

• Campus Hills 2000 S. Alston Ave. (parking lot)

• Waste Disposal and Recycling Center, 2115 E. Club Blvd.

Volunteer Roles: Volunteers will work in teams of 2-3 people for 2-hour shifts to greet customers and guide (or help them if they need it) to throw their pumpkins into a compost collection truck. Volunteers will have basic information about compositing that they can hand out in response to any questions. Sign up for a specific shift at specific park and consider inviting a friend to join you.

Click here to register!

Background: The City of Durham Solid Waste operators are teaming up with Keep Durham Beautiful volunteers at City Park locations to provide this drop service, similar to the holiday tree drop - except its pumpkins! These decorative squashes will be composted by the City of Durham's Composting contractor, Atlas Organics, and converted to dark crumbly compost. No paint, decorations, candles, or glitter please!

Volunteers needed to help staff drop sites!

For those who miss the November 4 event, don’t be scared! Residents can continue to drop their pumpkins and Jack-o-lanterns at no charge at the Waste Disposal and Recycling Center, 2115 E. Club Blvd., from November 4 - November 18 during normal hours of operation.

Join fellow volunteers and community members to participate in a litter cleanup at West Point on the Eno, hosted by the Northern High School Environmental Club.

Volunteers will meet at West Point on the Eno Park (5101 N Roxboro St) at 12PM. Gloves, vests, litter grabbers and trash bags will be provided.

Please contact Rachel Owens at nag4477@gmail.com with any questions.

THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL. PLEASE SEE THE EVENTS PAGE FOR MANY MORE BIG SWEEP CLEANUPS!

Join fellow volunteers and community members to participate in a litter cleanup along the West Ellerbe Creek Trail near Costco and I85, hosted by Bull City Pokemon Go.

Volunteers will meet at 11AM. Gloves, vests, litter grabbers and trash bags will be provided.

Please contact Brien Jones at briendd@gmail.com with any questions.

Register to attend below!

Join fellow volunteers and community members to participate in a litter cleanup at Durham Central Park, hosted by the Durham Farmers Market.

Volunteers will meet at the Farmers Market Pavilion at 3PM. Gloves, vests, litter grabbers and trash bags will be provided.

Please contact Kaitlyn Breedlove at manager@durhamfarmersmarket.com with any questions.

Register below to attend!

Join fellow volunteers and community members to participate in a litter cleanup at the New Hope Creek Waterfowl Impoundment, hosted by the NC Wildlife Federation and Clean Jordan Lake.

Volunteers will meet at 1918 W North Carolina 54 at 10AM. Gloves, vests, litter grabbers and trash bags will be provided.

Please contact Seana Finn at seana@ncwf.org with any questions.

Register to attend below!

Join fellow volunteers and community members to participate in a litter cleanup at along E Club Blvd and Camden Ave outside the City of Durham Waste Disposal & Recycling Center (2115 East Club Blvd), hosted by Litter Leader Halle Amick.

Volunteers will meet outside the WDRC at 9:30AM. Gloves, vests, litter grabbers and trash bags will be provided.

Please contact Halle Amick at halle.amick@gmail.com with any questions.

Register to attend below!

Join fellow volunteers and community members to participate in a litter cleanup in the Southside Neighborhood, hosted by the Southside Neighborhood Assocation.

Volunteers will meet at 201 W. Enterprise St. at 10AM. Gloves, vests, litter grabbers and trash bags will be provided.

Please contact Leanne Clark-Shirley at leanne.june@gmail.com with any questions.

Register to attend below!

Join fellow volunteers and community members to participate in a litter cleanup at Red Maple Park and Hinson Drive, hosted by the Bragtown Community Assocation.

Volunteers will meet at 3320 Hinson Dr. at 10AM. Gloves, vests, litter grabbers and trash bags will be provided.

Please contact Constance Wright at mggerald58@gmail.com with any questions.

Register to attend below!

Join KDB and El Futuro for a community cleanup starting at the Lakewood Shopping Center on Saturday, October 14th from 9-11AM in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month!

Gloves, litter grabbers and trash bags will be provided by Keep Durham Beautiful. Please help us reduce waste by bringing your own reusable water bottle. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long pants, and dress for the weather. Supervised children of all ages are welcome!