Day of Service encourages community action throughout the Bay watershed

Each year, various environmental organizations within the Chesapeake Bay region honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by participating in a Day of Service. With the help of volunteers, the events taking place across the watershed can make a huge difference in just a single day. From creeks and park clean-ups to community events, the following organizations are doing their part to create watershed stewards and help restore their local lands and waters.

Howard EcoWorks

A nonprofit organization serving the Baltimore region through community engagement and environmental education, Howard EcoWorks has been committed to creating resources that encourage sustainability and restoration. 

Each year since 2021, Howard EcoWorks has held a day of volunteering, learning and community connection to increase environmental stewardship in honor of the Day of Service. “At EcoWorks, we desire for each and every person to feel empowered that they CAN make a difference,” says Founder and Executive Director Lori Lilly. While the activities for the Day of Service certainly bring in more volunteers than the average day, the goal is to teach them how they can make an impact in their everyday lives. “By coming together in support of our local environment, we are demonstrating that stewardship of our land, air and water is integral to current and future generations,” says Lilly. 

EcoAction Arlington

EcoAction Arlington is an organization working to educate, advocate and act to create sustainable communities by improving the natural environment. Day of Service has always been a staple holiday for this organization, and this year they will be taking it indoors to host a Listen and Learn on the theme of trees. 

EcoAction Arlington chooses to honor the national holiday by transforming Dr. King’s teachings into individual and community action. After the Listen and Learn, participants will have the opportunity to write thank you letters to tree recipients, supporters and donors to express gratitude for their commitment to environmental stewardship.

Delaware State Parks

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is hosting various clean-ups at state parks across Delaware in honor of the Day of Service. “Dr. King’s call to action was to build community through service and reinforce meaningful change through collective action,” says Matthew Ritter, director of the Division of Parks and Recreation. The Day of Service marks the first of four major service days hosted at Delaware State Parks, the others including Earth Day, Delaware State Park’s Anniversary and a Fall Service Day. 

The emphasis on involving volunteers no matter where they are in the state is crucial towards building awareness of local waterways and environmental habitats. Creating more opportunities for volunteers allows for more on-the-ground work to be done. “Volunteers have helped build our parks and continue to be valuable and vital partners into the future,” says Ritter.

Rock Creek Conservancy

Spanning all through Washington D.C. and much of Montgomery County, Md., Rock Creek is a long waterway which drains into the Potomac River, a major tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. This year, Rock Creek Conservancy is devoted to cleaning all along the creek by hosting various events in honor of the Day of Service. From invasive plant removal to litter cleanups, there are many options for volunteers in the Rock Creek community to choose from. 

Potomac Conservancy

This year, the Potomac Conservancy has joined forces with various other organizations to honor the Day of Service. With different events taking place in Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia, volunteers have the opportunity to immerse themselves in their local waterway and contribute to the clean-up effort. The Potomac Conservancy aims to make the Potomac River cleaner and safe for swimming, fishing and other forms of recreation, seeking the help of volunteers to achieve their goals. While the Potomac is a major tributary of the Bay, the Potomac Conservancy emphasizes that local smaller-scale waterways are the first place to start clean-up efforts. 

These Day of Service efforts reflect the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through lasting change built by collective action. From removing litter from stream banks to learning about your environment or getting outside to identify and remove invasive species, volunteers across the Chesapeake Bay watershed are proving that they play a vital role in protecting local waterways and strengthening their communities. 

This Day of Service, see if your local environmental organizations are holding events and play a role in helping to create a healthier Bay watershed for generations to come!