Join the Durham Area Masters Aquatics (DAMA) for a cleanup around the Campus Hills Recreation Center (2000 S Alston Ave) and along Alston Ave.

Gloves, safety vests, litter grabbers, and trash bags will be provided. Please help reduce waste by bringing your own reusable water bottle. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long pants, and dress for the weather. Supervised children ages 12 and older are welcome.

Contact group leader Kathryn Pietrosimone at kathryn.pietrosimone@gmail.com with any questions.

Please register below!

Trash Traps are purpose-built stormwater litter traps that sit in urban creeks and streams keeping man-made trash from entering main waterways. Roadside littering accounts for approximately 75% of the trash in our nations waterways. Each time it rains, trash is funneled through our storm drain systems directly into our creeks. No filters or other mechanisms are in place to keep the trash from entering our waterways. Learn more about the Trash Trap program.

Haw River Assembly has installed 2 Trash Traps in Durham at Northeast Creek and Third Fork Creek, and they need your help to empty them! Get information about all future events by joining their email listserve.

Northeast Creek Meeting location: Chick-fil-A, 104 Residence Inn Blvd, Durham, NC 27713

Third Fork Creek Parking location: 2302 Cardinal Drive, Durham, NC 27707

The next Trash Trap cleanouts will be Saturday, Oct 24 from 10AM-12PM. Click below to sign up!

Join the Eastway Neighborhood to participate in a litter cleanup along the street and woods at the intersection of Eastway Ave and Liberty St. and the surrounding neighborhood streets down Eastway Ave and N Hyde Park Ave.

Volunteers will meet near 607 Eastway Ave. The group leader will send more details by email 1-2 days prior to the event.

Gloves, safety vests, litter grabbers, and trash bags will be provided. Please help reduce waste by bringing your own reusable water bottle. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long pants, and dress for the weather. Supervised children aged 12 or older are welcome.

Contact Meredith Biechele at meredith.biechele@gmail.com with questions.

Please register below!

Trash Picking to the Polls: An Early Voting Opportunity

Our trash pick-up commonly works around the Durham Board of Elections, an early voting site.  If you are a Durham resident and want to vote early, please feel free to come early or stay later to swing by and complete your civic duty.  Of note, you can also register to vote or fix your registration during Early Voting!  Check your voter registration status or learn more about early voting here.

All trash grabbers, safety vests, gloves, and bags will be provided.

Questions?  Please send Courtney McGuire an email (cm.mcguire17@gmail.com)

Due to the busy road, this trash clean-up is not suitable for kids ages 12 and under.  All youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Please join us!  Newcomers encouraged!

Join Southside/St Theresa 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 9AM. Gloves, vests, litter grabbers and trash bags will be provided.

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!

Join community members on Friday, October 23 from 3-5PM to remove harmful invasive plants from the Briggs Ave Community Garden & Preserve (1314 S Briggs Ave)

CLOSED TOED FOOTWEAR AND LONG PANTS ARE REQUIRED ATTIRE FOR THESE EVENTS. Any volunteers who show up wearing shorts and/or sandals will be turned away for their own safety. Long sleeves and tall socks are also recommended to protect from exposure to poison ivy, brambles, and insect bites.

Please bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated. Tools and gloves will be provided but we encourage volunteers with their own labeled pruners and saws to bring them along.

Volunteers between the ages of 13-15 must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event. This type of event is not recommended for volunteers under the age of 13.

More information including specific meeting spot and parking details will be sent by email 1-2 days prior to the event.

register to attend below!

Join volunteers from Bloomerang to participate in a litter cleanup and invasive plant removal workday in the wooded area behind Glass Jug RTP, part of the Northeast Creek floodplain.

Volunteers will meet behind the Glass Jug RTP (5410 NC-55 Suite V) at 10AM. Gloves, vests, litter grabbers, trash bags and tools for cutting invasive plants will be provided.

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!

Join KDB staff on Wednesday, October 21 from 9-11AM to clean up E Geer St from Cheek Rd to Tobacco Rd, and Cheek Rd from E Geer to Center St. If enough volunteers sign up, we will expand the project area to accomodate.

Volunteers will be split up into at least 3 starting locations for this event, which will be assigned prior to the event.

All supplies will be provided. This event is not recommended for volunteers under the age of 12. Please wear closed-toed shoes that are comfortable for walking, and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Pants and long sleeves are strongly recommended. Bring a water bottle, hat, sunscreen, and a small backpack for carrying personal items.

Join members of McMannen United Methodist Church to plant flowering perennials and bushes as part of landscape improvements and modifications around the 150-year old historic McMannen Church located at 4102 Neal Road. Volunteers from the Durham Master Gardeners will also assist. 

All tools will be provided, as well as Gatorade, water, and snacks. This is a great volunteer opportunity for the whole family!

Reach out to Greg Pagett at gmpagett@gmail.com or 919-971-1570 (mobile) to RSVP. 

Join Selby Avenue neighbors to clean the stretch of trail where the Riddle Road Spur Trail connects to the American Tobacco Trail.

Volunteers will meet at 907 Selby Avenue, which is a culdesac leading directly to the Riddle Rd Spur Trail. The group leader will send more details by email 1-2 days prior to the event.

Gloves, safety vests, litter grabbers, and trash bags will be provided. Please help reduce waste by bringing your own reusable water bottle. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long pants, and dress for the weather. Supervised children ages 12 and older are welcome (while this cleanup is away from road traffic, there is the risk of encountering poison ivy along the trail).

Contact group leader Mina Ratkalkarat mina.ratkalkar@gmail.com with questions.

Please register below!

Join Olde East Durham neighbors to clean up along Driver St and the surrounding area.

Volunteers will meet at the intersection of Driver St and Hart St. Street parking is available. The group leader will send more details by email 1-2 days prior to the event.

Gloves, safety vests, litter grabbers, and trash bags will be provided. Please help reduce waste by bringing your own reusable water bottle. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long pants, and dress for the weather. Supervised children ages 12 and older are welcome (while this cleanup is away from road traffic, there is the risk of encountering poison ivy along the trail).

Contact group leader Daniel Bluestein at dbbluestein@gmail.com with questions.

Please register below!

Panther Creek Forest Farm, in partnership with Keep Durham Beautiful and Leaf & Limb’s Project Pando, is a community-driven tree nursery that sustainably grows trees and gives them to the community for free through tree plantings, give away events, plant swaps and other community events. However, to grow these trees, we need your help! 

We will get a jump on early fall seed planting, begin transplanting some of this year's seedlings to larger pots and sorting and labeling inventory. There are tasks to fit all physical abilities!

We’ll provide:  tools, snacks, water, gloves

Not invited:  pets (we love them, but others may not)

Please wear closed-toed shoes or boots, and long pants. Bring a reusable water bottle, a hat, and something to tie up long hair if needed. You may also want to bring a small backpack for personal items.  

Other activities available while you are here:

• Kid-friendly goats

• Walkable access to three sections of the Mountains to Sea Trail

• Hickory Hill boat ramp is .25 mi away and a great put in for kayaking

• Tons of open space to explore

Join the Forest Hills Neighborhood Association to participate in a litter cleanup around Forest Hills Park (1639 University Dr).

Volunteers will meet at the picnic shelter near E Forest Hills Blvd and Beverly Dr. There is some parking available in a small lot off E Forest Hills, and more in the lot off University Dr. The group leader will send more details by email 1-2 days prior to the event.

Gloves, safety vests, litter grabbers, and trash bags will be provided. Please help 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.

Contact group leader Esteban Bortiri at ebortiri@gmail.com with questions.

Please register below!

Join the Friends of Ellerbe Creek to participate in a litter cleanup around the Beaver Marsh Preserve and Cascadilla Street behind Compare Foods (2000 Avondale Dr).

Volunteers will meet behind the Compare Foods on Avondale Dr. The group leader will send more details by email 1-2 days prior to the event.

Gloves, safety vests, litter grabbers, and trash bags will be provided. Please help reduce waste by bringing your own reusable water bottle. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long pants, and dress for the weather. Supervised children ages 5 and older are welcome.

Please RSVP to friendsofellerbecreek@gmail.com to ensure you receive event details and updates!

Join community members on Friday, Oct 16 from 3-5PM and/or Saturday, Oct 17 from 10AM-12PM to remove harmful invasive plants from Cornwallis Rd Park (2830 Wade Rd).

CLOSED TOED FOOTWEAR AND LONG PANTS ARE REQUIRED ATTIRE FOR THESE EVENTS. Any volunteers who show up wearing shorts and/or sandals will be turned away for their own safety. Long sleeves and tall socks are also recommended to protect from exposure to poison ivy, brambles, and insect bites.

Please bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated. Tools and gloves will be provided but we encourage volunteers with their own labeled pruners and saws to bring them along.

Volunteers between the ages of 13-15 must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event. This type of event is not recommended for volunteers under the age of 13.

More information including specific meeting spot and parking details will be sent by email 1-2 days prior to the event.

register to attend below!

Join community members on Friday, Oct 16 from 3-5PM and/or Saturday, Oct 17 from 10AM-12PM to remove harmful invasive plants from Cornwallis Rd Park (2830 Wade Rd).

CLOSED TOED FOOTWEAR AND LONG PANTS ARE REQUIRED ATTIRE FOR THESE EVENTS. Any volunteers who show up wearing shorts and/or sandals will be turned away for their own safety. Long sleeves and tall socks are also recommended to protect from exposure to poison ivy, brambles, and insect bites.

Please bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated. Tools and gloves will be provided but we encourage volunteers with their own labeled pruners and saws to bring them along.

Volunteers between the ages of 13-15 must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event. This type of event is not recommended for volunteers under the age of 13.

More information including specific meeting spot and parking details will be sent by email 1-2 days prior to the event.

register to attend below!

Calling Tree Keepers and potential Tree Keepers! Really, for anyone really who is interested in helping learn more in-depth about planting+caring for trees and volunteering with us to do so.

Come out to Motorco on Tuesday evening to munch a snack, sip a drink, or simply hang out! This event is for people to meet and learn a bit more about each other, including both volunteers and KDB staff.

If you're itching to get involved but haven't had a chance yet, this is a great way to get started and we would love to meet you! :) This event is following the last Tree Keeper class of the season, so it’s also a great place for new folks.

Join the Shady Oaks Community Stewards to participate in the community surrounding North Carolina Central University (NCCU) following their 2026 homecoming events.

Volunteers will meet at James E. Shepard Magnet Middle School (2401 Dakota St) parking lot.

Gloves, safety vests, litter grabbers, and trash bags will be provided. Please help reduce waste by bringing your own reusable water bottle. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long pants, and dress for the weather. Supervised children over the age of 5 are welcome.

Contact Naadii Salaam at nadera.salaam@gmail.com with questions.

Join the Northern HS Environmental Club to participate in a litter cleanup around the Northern HS campus.

Volunteers will meet at Northern Highschool at 4622 N Roxboro St. The group leader will send more details by email 1-2 days prior to the event.

Gloves, safety vests, litter grabbers, and trash bags will be provided. Please help 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.

Contact group leader Rachel Owens at nag4477@gmail.com with questions.

Please register below!

Join the “Patterson Place Cleaners” to participate in a litter cleanup along the greenspace on SW Durham Drive and down the trail to the New Hope Creek County Preserve.

Volunteers will meet at Old Chapel Hill Rd Park Playground at 4652-4730 Old Chapel Hill Rd. Parking is available off SW Durham Dr past the middle school by the sports fields.

Gloves, safety vests, litter grabbers, and trash bags will be provided. Please help reduce waste by bringing your own reusable water bottle. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long pants, and dress for the weather. Supervised children over the age of 5 are welcome.

Contact Corinne Hauck at cnlhauck@umich.edu with questions.

Join us on Second Fridays from 2:30-4:30PM to remove harmful invasive plants from the campus of the Museum of Life & Science (433 W Murray Ave) with Rewild NC!

Additional dates: November 13, December 11

CLOSED TOED FOOTWEAR AND LONG PANTS ARE REQUIRED ATTIRE FOR THESE EVENTS. Any volunteers who show up wearing shorts and/or sandals will be turned away for their own safety. Long sleeves and tall socks are also recommended to protect from exposure to poison ivy, brambles, and insect bites.

Please bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated. Tools and gloves will be provided but we encourage volunteers with their own labeled pruners and saws to bring them along.

Volunteers between the ages of 13-15 must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event. This type of event is not recommended for volunteers under the age of 13.

More information including specific meeting spot and parking details will be sent by email 1-2 days prior to the event.

Join the Thomas Family to participate in a litter cleanup around the Southern High School Campus and along Clayton Road.

Volunteers will meet in the school parking lot to the north of the main building (entry from Clayton Rd). The group leader will send more details by email 1-2 days prior to the event.

Gloves, safety vests, litter grabbers, and trash bags will be provided. Please help reduce waste by bringing your own reusable water bottle. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long pants, and dress for the weather. Supervised children aged 5 or older are welcome.

Contact Aaron Thomas at amthomas101@gmail.com with questions.

Please register below!

Join the Burch Avenue Neighborhood Association to participate in a litter cleanup around the Burch Ave Neighborhood (roughly Chapel Hill St, S. Buchanan, and Swift Avenue)

Volunteers will meet at the Community Garden at 833 Wilkerson Ave. The group leader will send more details by email 1-2 days prior to the event.

Gloves, safety vests, litter grabbers, and trash bags will be provided. Please help 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.

Contact group leader Ryder Sammons at sammonsmr@gmail.com with questions.

Please register below!

Join fellow volunteers and community members to participate in a litter cleanup along Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, hosted by a KDB Litter Leader.

Volunteers will meet in the parking lot at the Durham Board of Elections (3825 S Roxboro St #101). Gloves, vests, litter grabbers and trash bags will be provided. This event is not recommended for volunteers under the age of 12. Volunteers under the age of 16 MUST be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event.

Please contact Courtney McGuire at cm.mcguire17@gmail.com with any questions.

Join community members on Friday, September 25 from 3-5PM to remove harmful invasive plants from the Briggs Ave Community Garden & Preserve (1314 S Briggs Ave)

CLOSED TOED FOOTWEAR AND LONG PANTS ARE REQUIRED ATTIRE FOR THESE EVENTS. Any volunteers who show up wearing shorts and/or sandals will be turned away for their own safety. Long sleeves and tall socks are also recommended to protect from exposure to poison ivy, brambles, and insect bites.

Please bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated. Tools and gloves will be provided but we encourage volunteers with their own labeled pruners and saws to bring them along.

Volunteers between the ages of 13-15 must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event. This type of event is not recommended for volunteers under the age of 13.

More information including specific meeting spot and parking details will be sent by email 1-2 days prior to the event.

register to attend below!

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

Join us for an in-person Litter Leader Training on Tuesday, September 22 from 5:30PM-6:45PM at our offices at 2011 Fay Street. Parents with children are welcome to attend, and we will serve light refreshments.

We train litter leaders as part of our mission to build and maintain clean, green, and beautiful spaces. Litter Leaders are volunteers that are committed to litter prevention in Durham. Litter Leaders will be trained on litter cleanup safety, cleanup operating procedures, and the basics of volunteer leadership.

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.

Join community members on Friday, September 18 from 3-5PM and/or Saturday, September 19 from 9-11AM to remove harmful invasive plants from the Briggs Ave Community Garden & Preserve (1314 S Briggs Ave)

CLOSED TOED FOOTWEAR AND LONG PANTS ARE REQUIRED ATTIRE FOR THESE EVENTS. Any volunteers who show up wearing shorts and/or sandals will be turned away for their own safety. Long sleeves and tall socks are also recommended to protect from exposure to poison ivy, brambles, and insect bites.

Please bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated. Tools and gloves will be provided but we encourage volunteers with their own labeled pruners and saws to bring them along.

Volunteers between the ages of 13-15 must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event. This type of event is not recommended for volunteers under the age of 13.

More information including specific meeting spot and parking details will be sent by email 1-2 days prior to the event.

register to attend below!

Join community members on Friday, September 18 from 3-5PM and/or Saturday, September 19 from 9-11AM to remove harmful invasive plants from the Briggs Ave Community Garden & Preserve (1314 S Briggs Ave)

CLOSED TOED FOOTWEAR AND LONG PANTS ARE REQUIRED ATTIRE FOR THESE EVENTS. Any volunteers who show up wearing shorts and/or sandals will be turned away for their own safety. Long sleeves and tall socks are also recommended to protect from exposure to poison ivy, brambles, and insect bites.

Please bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated. Tools and gloves will be provided but we encourage volunteers with their own labeled pruners and saws to bring them along.

Volunteers between the ages of 13-15 must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event. This type of event is not recommended for volunteers under the age of 13.

More information including specific meeting spot and parking details will be sent by email 1-2 days prior to the event.

register to attend below!

Join Durham County Cooperative Extension, Keep Durham Beautiful and the City of Durham for our Tree Keeper Training Series! This three-part series will cover the basics of tree planting and care, and prepare you to lead small groups in tree plantings as a Durham Tree Keeper.

Class will be taught by Extension Horticulture Agent, Ashley Troth. For more information about the Durham Tree Keeper program, please visit https://keepdurhambeautiful.org/tree-keepers.

Dates: 9/15, 9/29, 10/13

Times: 3pm - 5pm

Location: Durham County Cooperative Extension - 721 Foster Street

Price: $30 for all three sessions

Needs-Based Scholarships: If you are interested in the program, but are financially unable to pay the class fee, please contact Ashley Troth (ashley_troth@ncsu.edu).

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Session 1: The Dig Deep Details of Tree Planting | September 15, 2025 | 3pm - 5pm

Session 2: Structural Pruning for Success | September 29, 2025 | 3pm - 5pm

Session 3: Tree Planting Masters Session | October 13, 2025 | 3pm - 5pm

Join Love Your Block on Sunday, September 13 from 4-7PM and Sunday, Sept 27 from 4-6PM at Bright Black Candles to begin planting Proud Roots, a community-created scent garden coming to the main median at Lakewood Shopping Center. The garden honors the roots of Pauli Murray, particularly Aunt Pauline Fitzgerald Dame and grandparents Robert and Cornelia Fitzgerald, whose care, resilience, and commitment to education helped shape Pauli’s life and legacy. Help clear the site, prepare the soil, and get the garden ready for planting. No gardening experience is necessary! This is part of a project that received funding through the Love Your Block initiative.

There will be swag (t-shirts, hats, stickers) and snacks for volunteers and your participation gets you an invite into the exclusive Love Your Block Big Summer Blowout Cookout at the end of the season.