Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® relies on community members and volunteers to help fulfill our mission of protecting clean water, sensitive species, and community interests. Volunteers provide crucial support to assist with monitoring, education, outreach, and advocacy efforts which Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® could not do without you.

Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® has volunteer opportunities to fit everyone’s interests and physical abilities. Whether you’re hoping to help monitor your local waterways or help spread the word about Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER®’s mission across the Chesapeake Bay Region, we need your help. You can view the current list of volunteer opportunities below. If any of these opportunities are of interest to you, please fill out the form below to sign up.

Volunteer Opportunities

* These events occur regularly. Please check our website for additional unique volunteer opportunities and events*

Tidal Water Quality Monitoring

Join us out on the boat on the Gunpowder River to assist in collecting water quality data with Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® staff. Activities will include using a YSI multi-parameter probe, collecting water samples, and analyzing those samples at Marshy Point Nature Center as part of the Chesapeake Water Watch Program. If you enjoy boating and being out on the water, register using the form below.

When: Every Wednesday (Memorial Day – Labor Day)
Where: Gunpowder River (Dundee Creek Marina)

Bacterial Monitoring

Assist staff in collecting bacterial samples from designated locations along the Big Gunpowder Falls and Gunpowder River. Volunteers will receive training from Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® staff on the proper procedure and protocol to ensure scientific integrity of the samples and data collected. Tag along with staff or go on your own to collect water samples that will be used to inform the public on bacteria levels in the Gunpowder River and its connecting tributaries.

When: Every Tuesday (Memorial Day – Labor Day)
Where: 5 monitoring sites along the Big Gunpowder Falls, Little Gunpowder Falls, and Gunpowder River

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Monitoring

Submerged Aquatic Vegation (SAV) or bay grasses are crucial to aquatic ecosystems like the Gunpowder River. They provide crucial habitat, oxygen, and improved water clarity. However, SAV populations are in decline and it’s imperative that we collect data on both how much SAV is present and what species are currently found in the Gunpowder River. SAV Watchers is a participatory science program where members of the public can submit their own findings and contribute to this ongoing study of SAV in the Gunpowder River. If you own a boat, kayak, or paddleboard and want to collect crucial SAV data, Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® will hold 4 trainings throughout the year so you can learn how to collect data while out on the water. If you wish to learn more about the program or the potential trainings being held sign up via the registration form below.

Trainings dates: Year round (Specific Dates TBD)
Monitoring occurs during the SAV growing season: April – October

Aquatic Insect Monitoring

Did you know that the presence and/or absence of aquatic insects can provide crucial information regarding how healthy a stream is? Several species of insect spend their larval stages in the water and require the proper conditions to survive. Pollution and sedimentation threaten the survival of certain species like the stonefly and mayfly which are pollution intolerant. Their inability to survive in polluted waters makes them what’s known as indicator species and their absence in a stream can indicate poor stream health. During the spring and fall, join Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® staff in learning how to collect, identify, and count these aquatic insects and indicator species at several sites within the Big Gunpowder Falls and Little Falls.

When: Spring and Fall (Specific dates TBD)
Where: Big Gunpowder Falls and Little Falls (Specific Sites TBD)

Wader Wash Station Servicing

Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® manages 10 wader wash stations along the Big Gunpowder Falls? These were strategically placed at popular recreation and fishing spots along the Big Gunpowder Falls to help prevent the spread of an invasive algae known as Didymo (AKA Rock snot). Didymo can attach to boots and waders where people unknowingly carry it from stream to stream with them. These stations, full of salty water, are there to help prevent that spread however, over time they become dirty and therefore ineffective. If you wish to help Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® maintain these wader wash stations and stop the spread of invasive species, please sign up using the form below.

When: Year round during the fishing seasons
Where: Any of the wader wash stations on Big Gunpowder Falls

Tabling & TCB Trail Event Outreach

Outreach is critical to supporting the mission of Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® as our work is made possible by the individual and community efforts. If you wish to help spread the word and goals of Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® we would love for you to help us with outreach activities. Whether it’s representing Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® at a community event or tabling right here on the TCB Trail your contribution is vital to our continued success.

When: Year Round
Where: Wherever you are needed

Nature Center Upkeep

Help maintain the beautiful and historic Sparks Bank Nature Center. A relic of a bygone era, the Nature Center was an old bank built in 1916 alongside the Northern Central Railroad (NCR trail). Today the building still stands and is the primary office and outreach center for Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER®. Join the Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® staff in various projects surrounding maintenance, beautification, and improvements to the Spark Bank Nature Center and its meadow for future generations to admire.

When: Year Round
Where: Sparks Bank Nature Center (1207 Sparks Road, Sparks Glencoe, 21152)

Salt Watch & Nitrate Watch

Did you know road salts and fertilizers can be harmful to our waterways? Road salt placed down during the winter and fertilizer application in the spring can cause chlorides and nitrates to runoff in nearby streams leading to poor stream heath and making it difficult for aquatic life to survive. To help combat this problem Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® has partnered with Salt Watch and Nitrate Watch, community science programs aimed at getting members of the public involved to collect data on chloride and nitrate concentrations in local waterways. Through this program you will receive your own test kits and learn how to upload your data to the Clean Water Hub with instruction from Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER®. Join the nation wide initiative to help collect data and advocate for better application practices.

When: Year Round
Where: Wherever you would like to sample

Register to volunteer below

Please fill out the form below select all volunteer opportunities in which you are interested in taking part in. After filling out this form and clicking “submit” you will be added to our mailing list where we will be in contact with you regarding new information on volunteer dates and time.