We're concluding Big Sweep with a private boaters' clean-up of Ellerbe Creek from Red Mill Road down to the trestle. The principal focus of this event is a large trash island at the trestle, which we want to tackle before it gets swept in to the lake.

Bring your own canoes, kayaks, rafts etc. Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) required for all boaters. Volunteers will meet at the put-in on Red Mill Road at 9AM and paddle down to the trestle. Assistance with put in and take out will be available. We'll need to move a fair bit of floating timber to access the trash so if you have a canoe, consider bringing a rake or similar for reaching with.

Gloves, bags and grabbers provided, bring your own drinks, snacks and bug spray. Consider layers if the weather is cool.

For questions, please contact Ian Pond at iandavid33@hotmail.com.

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 2nd, 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.

• 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.

Learn more about pumpkin drop-off options here.

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!

For those who miss the November 2nd 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 2 - December 7 during normal hours of operation.

Join staff and volunteers from the Durham Community Land Trustees for a creek cleanup in Historic Hayti! This cleanup is a part of an ongoing community creek restoration project in Hayti.

Volunteers will meet at 800 Simmons Street and continue to the creek from there.

Please contact Meixin Wang at meixin@dclt.org with any questions.

Register to attend below!

A community member needs help breaking down her garden due to issues with property management.

This event is perfect for those who are looking to fill out their own garden spaces with new plants.

Tasks for this event will include:

• digging up and finding new homes for bulbs and native plants

• moving two large piles of wood chips

• gifting plant starting containers and other plastic wares

• taking down the wooden garden beds

Keep Durham Beautiful will provide the necessary tools including gloves. Attendees may want to bring their own pots for transporting plants home. If you have a pickup truck and want to take some mulch with you, volunteers can help you load.

If you would like to help rehome some plants but can’t make this event, please reach out to Dawn Keyser at dawn@keepdurhambeautiful.org to arrange an alternate time to visit the property.

Let us know you’re coming!

As of July 2024, our partners at Haw River Assembly have 6 operational "Trash Traps" in Durham Third Fork Creek, Durham Northeast Creek, Greensboro, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Pittsboro, and plan to add at least 2 within the next year. Learn more about the Trash Trap program.

Sign up to volunteer as part of the crew at any of the locations and you're welcome to join any (or all!!) of the clean outs at that location. They will typically have clean outs on the last Saturday of every month, and we'll send out emails 2 weeks before each clean out to remind everyone and confirm who will be able to make it. Remaining 2024 clean ups will be held on 11/23.

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 the Durham Community Land Trustees (DCLT) on Saturday, Oct 26th from 8:30AM-12PM for their annual service event, Dig for DCLT!

Volunteers will go to selected properties from the DCLT rental portfolio and clean up hanging branches, shape bushes, plant flowers, and clean up trash. Board members, staff, and community can all get involved to help Keep Durham Beautiful.

There are 4 different locations to serve - click the link below for more info & to register!

REGISTER HERE!

Join us for a scent-sational DIY workshop with AR Workshop Durham to support Keep Durham Beautiful! A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated back to Keep Durham Beautiful to support beautification in Durham communities.

Create one-of-a-kind candle scents for your home or as the perfect hand-crafted gift. Enjoy their classic candle style as well as options to upgrade and add-on during your visit.

This is a paid event and pre-registration is required. Click here to register!

Join community members from the Burch Ave Neighborhood to clean up neighborhood streets (Chapel Hill St between Swan and Buchanan, and bordered on the north by Campus Drive and the Durham Freeway).

Volunteers will meet at meet at the Community Garden at 833 Wilkerson Ave.

Please contact Ryder Sammons at sammonsm@kenyon.edu 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 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). Gloves, vests, litter grabbers and trash bags will be provided.

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

This event is full!

Join fellow volunteers and community members to participate in a litter cleanup with The Morehead Montessori PTA Saturday, October 19 at 9 am to pick up litter and spruce up the school grounds.

Please contact Blakely Hildebrand at blakely.hildebrand@gmail.com with any questions.

Register to attend below!

Join Keep Durham Beautiful and our parters for our quarterly garden tour and gathering.

Erin Holden, Executive Director of SEEDS has agreed to host the group on Thursday October 17th from 5:00-6:30 pm. Tour the garden, explore their initiatives, and discuss needs and collaboration opportunties. The gathering and tour will take place at 706 Gilbert St, Durham, NC 27701,

Agenda:  

4:45pm             Arrive, Light Refreshments
5:00pm             Introductions
5:15pm             Tour of SEEDS and Q&A
6:00 pm            Discussion: Next steps for Community Garden Network
6:30 pm            Conclude

Ready to roll up your sleeves and make a difference in our beautiful parks? Durham Parks & Recreation is hosting two volunteer days this October, and they need YOUR help to keep our community spaces looking their best!

Volunteers will cut back overgrown plants, weed, and mulch to help these parks thrive. Don’t worry – you won’t be alone! There will be two experienced Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (EMGVs) on-site to show you the ropes and guide you through the work. No green thumb is required – just your energy and love for the outdoors! DPR will supply all the necessary equipment and supplies. Come for one or join us for both days. Let’s get these parks in tip-top shape for everyone to enjoy!

Join fellow volunteers and community members to participate in a litter cleanup in Long Meadow Park and Goose Creek! This cleanup is suitable for ages 16 and older.

Please contact Hayley Blum at hayleyblum@gmail.com with any questions.

Register to attend below!

Join community members to clean up the Mountains-to-Sea Trail along Falls Lake!

The meeting location is at the intersection of Tom Clark Rd and Redwood Rd. Take I85N towards Falls Lake, take exit 183 Redwood Road, turn right and drive 0.7 miles to left-hand bend where Redwood meets Clark.  

Cleanup supplies such as litter grabbers, gloves, safety vests, and trash bags will be provided.

For questions, please contact Ian Pond at iandavid33@hotmail.com.

Register to attend below!

Join fellow volunteers and community members to participate in a litter cleanup in Northeast Creek with the Parkwood Association.

Volunteers will meet at the Parkwood Community Center (1417 Seaton Rd) and spread north and south to clean up Northeast Creek Tributary C as it flows southward through Parkwood's unique Old Growth Forest and down to the north end of Parkwood Lake.

Please contact Mike Brooks at mikebrooks1919@gmail.com with any questions.

Register to attend below!

Join fellow volunteers and community members to participate in a litter cleanup along Mineral Springs Rd. There will be two cleanups to tackle different sections of Mineral Springs - the first cleanup is taking place on Saturday, Oct 5th.

Volunteers will meet in the Carlie C's parking lot (3729 Wake Forest Highway). Gloves, vests, litter grabbers and trash bags will be provided.

This event is not suitable for volunteers under the age of 15.

Please contact Brittany Fechter at brittanyfechter@gmail.com with any questions.

Register to attend below!

Join fellow volunteers and community members to participate in a litter cleanup along New Hope Commons Drive hosted by community members.

Please contact Valerie Thompson at idlewildfree@gmail.com with any questions.

Register to attend below!

Join the Forest Hills Neighborhood Association to clean up Third Fork Creek, an important Durham waterway flowing through Forest Hills Park and all the way to Jordan Lake.

Volunteers will meet at E Forest Hills at Overhill Terrace for supplies and instructions.

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 below!

Join Clean Jordan Lake to clean the stretch of shoreline along Jordan Dam Rd, from the Poe's Ridge boat ramp to the Jordan Dam visitor's center.

In event of bad weather, the event will be postponed to the following Saturday, October 19th.

WHERE TO MEET

Meet at the US Army Corps of Engineers Visitor Center. Parking is limited, so please carpool or get dropped off if possible. There are restrooms available on the far side of the building.

ASSIGNMENTS

WALKERS: You will be divided into groups at registration.

BOATERS: Boaters are needed to haul trash back to the dumpster at the Corps Bulkhead. Launch from Poe's Ridge Boat Ramps off Jordan Dam Rd and stay in the area as we gather. You'll receive further instructions on where you're needed.

All participants must complete a liability waiver form online BEFORE THE EVENT.

Please contact Daphne Vogelsang at daphne@cleanjordanlake.org with any questions.

click here to register!

Join Keep Durham Beautiful, Durham Parks & Rec, and Durham County Department of Public Health on Friday, October 11th at 9AM for a Healthy Mile Trail Cleanup at the Holton Career & Resource Center! We will be doing trail maintenance such as clearing overgrown sidewalks, picking up litter, and marking the trail with fresh paint.

For more information reach out to Krista Kicsak at kkicsak@dconc.gov.

Ready to roll up your sleeves and make a difference in our beautiful parks? Durham Parks & Recreation is hosting two volunteer days this October, and they need YOUR help to keep our community spaces looking their best!

Volunteers will cut back overgrown plants, weed, and mulch to help these parks thrive. Don’t worry – you won’t be alone! There will be two experienced Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (EMGVs) on-site to show you the ropes and guide you through the work. No green thumb is required – just your energy and love for the outdoors! DPR will supply all the necessary equipment and supplies. Come for one or join us for both days. Let’s get these parks in tip-top shape for everyone to enjoy!

We're honored to be one of the recipients of the Green Music Program Planting for the Future Fall Fundraiser!

On Saturday, October 5th, several artists of the Green Music Program will perform from around the world via livestream to raise money for tree-planting initiatives.

For just a $10 suggested donation you can receive the link to enjoy the concert from the comfort of your own home, and know that you are helping to support tree-planting here in Durham!

Learn more about this initiative, including the featured musicians, and make your donation here!

Join the Durham Area Masters Aquatics (DAMA) for a cleanup along Alston Ave, starting from the Campus Hills Recreation Center at 2000 S Alston Ave. The roadside has wide shoulders and sidewalks, making this event suitable for volunteers aged 12 and up.

Please contact Dana Dubis at danatarheel@gmail.com with any questions.

Register to attend below!

Join fellow volunteers and community members to participate in a litter cleanup along Mineral Springs Rd. There will be two cleanups to tackle different sections of Mineral Springs - the second cleanup will take place on Saturday, Oct 12th.

Volunteers will meet at entrance of the Stonehill Estates neighborhood (100 Sapphire Dr) off of North Mineral Springs Rd. Gloves, vests, litter grabbers and trash bags will be provided.

This event is not suitable for volunteers under the age of 15.

Please contact Brittany Fechter at brittanyfechter@gmail.com with any questions.

Register to attend below!

Join the “Operation Go Duke” Team for a cleanup in Drew/Granby Park and along Granby, Calvin, Juniper, and N Hyde Park streets. This event is suitable for volunteers aged 15 and up.

Please contact Megan Bell at megan.bell@duke.edu with any questions.

Register to attend below!

Join fellow volunteers and community members to participate in a litter cleanup in the Wyndmoor at the Park Neighborhood, a joint venture of RTP Community Church members and Wyndmoor at the Park community members.

Volunteers will meet in the RTP Community Church parking lot (1727 Ed Cook Rd).

Please contact Cynthia Kirby at kirbycynthia47@yahoo.com with any questions.

Register to attend below!

Join fellow volunteers and Durham County Environmental Health members to participate in a litter cleanup at Sherwood Park and Cheek Rd.

Volunteers will meet at Sherwood Park. Gloves, vests, litter grabbers and trash bags will be provided.

Please contact Niketa Patterson at npatterson@dconc.gov with any questions.

Register to attend below!

Join fellow volunteers and community members to participate in a litter cleanup at the Food Lion at the intersection of Latta Road and Roxboro Street, hosted by the Eno River Association.

Volunteers will meet at 5279 North Roxboro St. at 9AM. Gloves, vests, litter grabbers and trash bags will be provided.

Please contact Indigo Roper-Edwards at indigo@enoriver.org  with any questions.

Register to attend here!