Environmental Services
Volunteer Activities
Are you concerned about streams in Arlington? Help be a part of the solution! Check below to find out all the different ways that you can volunteer to help our streams and the environment!
Introduction
Volunteers are critical to many state and local government programs across the country. Volunteers help with stream cleanups, restoration projects, tree planting activities, and stream monitoring. Volunteers are trained to help with different activities, depending on the local information needs. Whatever your interest or activity level is, there is a stream volunteer activity for you!
Description of Volunteer Activities
Read a brochure about Stream Volunteer Activities in Arlington (315 KB, PDF format).
| Activity | Description | Contact Person |
| Stream Cleanups | Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment conducts regular stream cleanups in our local streams. Come out and bag some trash! | Elenor Hodges of ACE at 703-228-6427. |
| Storm Drain Marking | Storm Drain Marking involves gluing vinyl labels to storm drains, that state "Don't Dump! Drains to Stream". The markers are customized with the name of Arlington's local streams on them. These markers remind people that our storm drains flow directly into our streams, and do NOT flow to our wastewater treatment plant. Currently, storm drain markers for all watersheds in Arlington County are available. | Elenor Hodges of ACE at 703-228-6427. |
| Adopt-a-Street | Help keep your street clean and beautiful, and help our local streams too! The Adopt-a-Street Program is an economical solution to storm water management and litter control throughout Arlington, while providing residents with an opportunity to do something positive for the community. Individuals or groups can volunteering to help keep our neighborhoods clean by "adopting" a section of road pledging to keep the street, curb, and storm drain free of trash and debris for a commitment of 1 year by performing clean up duties on a quarterly basis. Find out more! | Check if your street is available, and sign up online! |
| Adopt-a-Stream | The Adopt-a-Stream program matches you or your group with a section of a local stream, which you commit to cleaning approximately four times a year. To Adopt-a-Stream, a member from your group will meet with a naturalist to register and select your stream reach. | Gulf Branch Nature Center 703-228-3403 |
| Invasive Plants Removal | Invasive non-native plants are a challenge in many parts of the County. Citizens can learn to identify invasive plant species and assist with removing them during invasive plant removal activities. | Virginia Cooperative Extension at 703-228-6400. |
| Stream Monitoring | Stream monitors are citizens who help collect biological and chemical data about water quality in our streams. The County’s recently adopted Watershed Management Plan recommends long term monitoring at 15 stream sites around the County. The data collected will help Arlington County track changes in our water quality as a result of new stream protection initiatives. Stream monitors should be of high school age or older, or if younger can monitor with a parent. View video of stream monitoring. | awinquist (at) arlingtonva.us at 703-228-3610 |
| Water Steward Teams | Water Stewards are citizens who lead teams in their neighbhorhood to learn what you can do at home to protect water quality, conserve water, and improve your community. Find out more about the Water Stewardship Team Program. | Elenor Hodges of ACE at 703-228-6427. |
Stream Monitoring Results
Stream monitors are citizens who help collect biological and chemical data about water quality in our streams. The County’s Watershed Management Plan, adopted in 2001, recommends long term monitoring at 15 stream sites around the County. Currently, monitoring teams are active at seven sites. Stream monitors must attend 2 training classes before joining a monitoring team. The data collected will help Arlington County identify pollution incidents, and track changes in our water quality as a result of new stream protection initiatives. Stream monitors should be of high school age or older.
Find out the results of Arlington County's stream monitoring program:
- 2009 Stream Monitoring Report (380 KB, PDF format))
- 2008 Stream Monitoring Report (358 KB, PDF format))
- 2007 Stream Monitoring Report (349 KB, PDF format)
- 2006 Stream Monitoring Report (283 KB, PDF format)
- 2005 Stream Monitoring Report (552 KB, PDF format)
- 2004 Stream Monitoring Report (536 KB, PDF format)
- 2002-2003 Stream Monitoring Report (513 KB, PDF format)
- 2001-2002 Stream Monitoring Report (510 KB, PDF format)
Arlington's dedicated stream monitors conduct their sampling in March, June, September, and December. There are currently stream monitoring teams active at eight sites in the County, on Little Pimmit Run, Gulf Branch, Donaldson Run, Windy Run, and 4 locations along Four Mile Run. Don't know where these streams are? View a map of Arlington's watersheds.
Calendar of Activities
Please check Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment's web site for current volunteer opportunities. Also there are lots of interesting AIRE and Green It events.
Arlington Storm Drain Marker
Here is a picture of Arlington's storm drain marker, featuring "Sherlock Shad", a local fish who is helping seek out and prevent pollution!
