Volunteer and stewardship opportunities
Are you interested in volunteering to help our environment, keep our waterways clean and improve our neighborhoods? Check out our volunteer opportunities below and sign up to be added to our volunteer email list!
Help keep the Sand Creek Greenway clean and thriving!
2024 Volunteer Work Days
We offer monthly volunteer days from March through November. All community members are welcome! These project days can include but are not limited to graffiti abatement, trash removal, crusher fine application, weed mitigation, beaver mitigation, painting, and more. We will provide more details about the exact location and the nature of the project work as we get closer to each date.
2024 Volunteer Workdays
March 2nd: 10am-12pm, City of Aurora, Sand Creek Park (2700 N. Peoria St. Aurora, CO 80011 We suggest using Google Maps)
April 6th Due to weather the April 6th event has been rescheduled to April 13th: 10am-12pm, Commerce City, Wetland Park (6102 E. 52nd Ave. Commerce City 80022)
May 4th: 9am-11am, 9450 Smith Rd, Denver, CO 80238 (Must use Google Maps. Other mapping services will not direct to the correct location)
June 15th: 9am-11am, City of Aurora, Triple Creek Trailhead. 18000 E Colfax Ave, Aurora, CO 80011
July 13th: 9am-11am, Commerce City, Wetland Loop. 6102 East 52nd Avenue Commerce City, CO, 80022 (Use Google Maps for Most Accurate Location)
August 31st: 9am-11am, City of Aurora, Sand Creek Park (2700 N Peoria St Parking, Aurora, CO 80011)
September 29th: 10am-12pm, Smith Road Trailhead. 9450 Smith Rd, Denver, CO 80238
October 19th: 10am-12pm, Wetland Loop, 6102 E 52nd Ave, Commerce City, CO 80022
November 2nd: 10am-12pm, Denver, Location TBD
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sand Creek stewardship program
Sand Creek Stewards are volunteers who are ready to deepen their commitment to the Greenway and the community. Stewards receive various training throughout the year (CPR, DEI, Plant ID, etc..) and are relied upon to lead volunteer groups during monthly volunteer workdays, assist SCRGP staff with various outreach events, volunteer during annual special events, and much more.
If you are interested in deepening your commitment to the community and becoming a Sand Creek Steward, please see the link for the position description of duties and requirements, and complete the attached application form!
Training for the 2024 volunteer season will be hosted as a hybrid event on May 30, 2024.
Volunteer work crews
These are both year-round and seasonal crews of volunteers with an interest in specific projects on the Greenway. Commitment: 2-6 hours per month (as needed)– In addition to our monthly clean-up events, participate in a volunteer work crew where you will focus on specific tasks along the Greenway.
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Participate in trash management along the Greenway, starting January 2024!
Twice monthly, year round, once on a weekend and once on a weekday, one hour each session! Includes identifying and collecting trash and other waste materials, disposing of waste properly.
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A seasonal crew through spring and summer.
Help identify, control, and eradicate noxious weeds along the Greenway in collaboration with our city partners.
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Year round crew, only called on a need by need basis!
Help maintain and enhance the Greenway trail. Tasks include, but are not limited to vegetation pruning and native plant installation, graffiti abatement, beaver mitigation, tread maintenance, and erosion control.
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A seasonal crew in the late spring, summer, and early fall. Starting spring 2024!
Assist with the implementation and upkeep of pollinator gardens along the Greenway and help identify visiting pollinators.
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This crew’s start up is pending activation, and would be called on a need by need basis. See description below:
Help raise awareness of the Greenway and engagement opportunities by assisting with programming, outreach events, event facilitation, and/or the creation of programming materials.
*must be willing and/or able to work with youth ages 3-17 in addition to adults
*must be willing to participate in a background check
*must participate in the provided diversity, equity, and inclusion training
Corporate and Group Volunteer Opportuntites
Are you interested in a special volunteer experience above and beyond our public volunteer workdays? If you are interested in scheduling a volunteer opportunity specifically for your group, we will try to accommodate your availability. Please know we receive many project requests– these opportunities are available on a limited basis. Some projects require a donation to cover the cost of staff time and project costs.
Ongoing and Independent Volunteer Opportunities
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Commitment: 2 hours per month (any day or time) – Ride any 2 mile section of the Sand Creek trail and email a short report of any observed trail maintenance needs or other observations to Sand Creek staff
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No specific time commitment (any day or time) – Pick any section of the Greenway and pick-up trash you see along the trail. Notify SCRGP 7 days in advance and we will provide you with trash bags, trash pickers, and gloves and coordinate trash bag pick-up. Supplies will need to be picked up beforehand.
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Commitment: 2-4 hours per month (during the work day or during special events) – Are you fluent in Spanish? We are always trying to make our materials available in Spanish as well as English. Help us translate posters, signs, and pamphlets.
Community Science Volunteer Opportunities
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Download the eBird app and start collecting data for science on your trips to the Greenway. The app is a product of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and your sightings will contribute to science (and be available to researchers) and will strengthen our understanding of the species visiting the Greenway. Create an account here.
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A resource for all types of wildlife, iNaturalist lets you photograph and record your observations, share them with others, ask for assistance with identification, and contribute to science! Your observations on the Greenway will help us understand the diversity of our great urban wildlife resource. Download the iNaturalist app and get started! iNaturalist is a joint initiative of the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society.
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If you, or a group you are part of, have been doing your own community science on the Greenway and would like to be featured on our Instagram, please click on the “Learn More” button and send us some photos and a short paragraph about your project!
All those wanting to participate in a Volunteer Event on the Greenway are asked to fill and sign two waivers. A Sand Creek Regional Greenway Adult or Minor waiver must be completed before volunteers can begin work on a project, in addition to a site-specific waiver for the city the project takes place in.
You may access the waivers at any time through the links to the right. Participants are not required to print and sign waivers ahead of time, physical copies will be provided at all events.