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Community Tree Planting

Eco Action Challenge Program Resource Page

🌱 Step 1: Taking the Eco-Action Challenge Online Mini-Course

🏅 Step 4: Completing the Eco-Action Challenge Recognition Form

🌍 Step 2: Explore Your Eco-Action Options

📖 Step 5: Building Your Sustainability Contribution Portfolio

🌱 Step 3: If you're thinking about volunteering locally, check out these videos

🎥 Step 6: Share Feedback on Volunteering and/or Create a Video to Share Your challenge experience. (optional)

🌱 Step 1: Taking the Eco-Action Challenge Online Mini-Course

🌍 Step 2: Explore Your Eco-Action Options

🤝 Step 3: How to Find a Volunteer Opportunity That's a Good Fit

                  How to Reach Out to a Local Initiative (Without Awkwardness)

                  Preparing for Your Volunteering Day
🏅 Step 4: Completing the Eco-Action Challenge Recognition Form

📖 Step 5: Building Your Sustainability Contribution Portfolio

🎥 Step 6: Submit a Feedback Form to Share Your Volunteer Experience With Future Volunteers 

                  Or....Turn Your Action Experiences into a 1–2 Minute Video

Step 1 mini course

🌱 Step 1: Taking the Eco-Action Challenge Online Mini-Course

Step 2 Explore Eco Actions

🌍 Step 2: Explore Your Eco-Action Options

Volunteering With an Existing Initiative and Independent Project Opportunity Ideas for Each Course :

Volunteering With an Existing Initiative and Independent Project Opportunity Ideas for Each Course :

A “Tiered Eco-Action Challenge” structure
with 3 levels of participation:

  • Level 1 – Participate in an existing initiative

  • Level 2 – Organize a small event or volunteer activity

  • Level 3 – Launch a new community initiative

You choose the level that you feel good about.

A “Tiered Eco-Action Challenge” structure
with 3 levels of participation:

  • Level 1 – Participate in an existing initiative

  • Level 2 – Organize a small event or volunteer activity

  • Level 3 – Launch a new community initiative

You choose the level that you feel good about.

Environmental Action, Advocacy, and Policy Course

Environmental Action, Advocacy, and Policy Course

Below are the general volunteer activity types. ​​Environmental Action (hands-on, local) Community cleanups (parks, rivers, neighborhoods) Urban greening and tree care Community gardens and composting support Waste reduction and recycling support ​ Environmental Advocacy (low-barrier, civic) Petitioning and outreach support Voter education (nonpartisan) Community canvassing or tabling Helping community members prepare public comments Communications and awareness support ​ Policy-adjacent / systems-aware (entry-level) Attending or supporting local meetings Research or data collection support Environmental justice-focused community work

Below are the general volunteer activity types. ​​Environmental Action (hands-on, local) Community cleanups (parks, rivers, neighborhoods) Urban greening and tree care Community gardens and composting support Waste reduction and recycling support ​ Environmental Advocacy (low-barrier, civic) Petitioning and outreach support Voter education (nonpartisan) Community canvassing or tabling Helping community members prepare public comments Communications and awareness support ​ Policy-adjacent / systems-aware (entry-level) Attending or supporting local meetings Research or data collection support Environmental justice-focused community work

5 Starter Initiatives for the Eco Action Challenge

1. Environmental Action, Advocacy & Policy

(Focus: toxins, pollution prevention, civic participation, citizen science)

5 Starter Initiatives for the Eco Action Challenge

1. Environmental Action, Advocacy & Policy

(Focus: toxins, pollution prevention, civic participation, citizen science)

Storm Drain Marking Project Work with a city or watershed group to label storm drains with “Drains to River” markers and educate nearby residents about runoff pollution. Neighborhood Air Quality Monitoring Set up low-cost air sensors and share results with the community to raise awareness about particulate pollution. Water Testing Citizen Science Project Partner with a watershed group to test local creeks, lakes, or stormwater outlets for pollutants. Household Hazardous Waste Awareness Campaign Host a table at a community event explaining where residents can properly dispose of paint, chemicals, batteries, and electronics. Anti-Idling Campaign Near Schools Work with school administrators to create signage and awareness encouraging parents to turn off car engines while waiting. Local Environmental Meeting Participation Team Organize volunteers to attend city council, planning, or environmental commission meetings and report back to the community. Community Environmental Issues Brief Research a local environmental issue (air pollution, water contamination, development impacts) and produce a short public report. Public Comment Writing Workshop Host a workshop teaching residents how to submit effective public comments on local environmental decisions. Pollution Prevention Business Outreach Visit local auto shops, restaurants, and small businesses to share resources about preventing chemical runoff and proper disposal. Environmental Resource Table at Community Events Set up an educational booth at fairs or farmers markets explaining local environmental issues and ways residents can take action.

Storm Drain Marking Project Work with a city or watershed group to label storm drains with “Drains to River” markers and educate nearby residents about runoff pollution. Neighborhood Air Quality Monitoring Set up low-cost air sensors and share results with the community to raise awareness about particulate pollution. Water Testing Citizen Science Project Partner with a watershed group to test local creeks, lakes, or stormwater outlets for pollutants. Household Hazardous Waste Awareness Campaign Host a table at a community event explaining where residents can properly dispose of paint, chemicals, batteries, and electronics. Anti-Idling Campaign Near Schools Work with school administrators to create signage and awareness encouraging parents to turn off car engines while waiting. Local Environmental Meeting Participation Team Organize volunteers to attend city council, planning, or environmental commission meetings and report back to the community. Community Environmental Issues Brief Research a local environmental issue (air pollution, water contamination, development impacts) and produce a short public report. Public Comment Writing Workshop Host a workshop teaching residents how to submit effective public comments on local environmental decisions. Pollution Prevention Business Outreach Visit local auto shops, restaurants, and small businesses to share resources about preventing chemical runoff and proper disposal. Environmental Resource Table at Community Events Set up an educational booth at fairs or farmers markets explaining local environmental issues and ways residents can take action.

Environmental Action - Zero Waste & Circular Living Ideas

Environmental Action - Zero Waste & Circular Living Ideas

Community Repair Café Event Neighborhood Waste Audit Reusable Cup Program Pilot with a Café School Zero Waste Lunch Program Plastic-Free Community Event Initiative Local Recycling Guide Creation Community Tool Library Starter Project Bulk Buying Cooperative Refill Station Map for the Community Zero Waste Workshop Series

Community Repair Café Event Neighborhood Waste Audit Reusable Cup Program Pilot with a Café School Zero Waste Lunch Program Plastic-Free Community Event Initiative Local Recycling Guide Creation Community Tool Library Starter Project Bulk Buying Cooperative Refill Station Map for the Community Zero Waste Workshop Series

Reducing Waste for More Sustainable Fashion

Reducing Waste for More Sustainable Fashion

Clothing Swap Event Mending Workshop Series School Textile Waste Awareness Campaign Community Fabric Scrap Exchange Secondhand Fashion Pop-Up Market Visible Mending Education Campaign Local Thrift Store Guide Upcycled Fashion Showcase Event Fast Fashion Awareness Presentation School Uniform Reuse Program

Clothing Swap Event Mending Workshop Series School Textile Waste Awareness Campaign Community Fabric Scrap Exchange Secondhand Fashion Pop-Up Market Visible Mending Education Campaign Local Thrift Store Guide Upcycled Fashion Showcase Event Fast Fashion Awareness Presentation School Uniform Reuse Program

Food Systems, Waste Reduction & Compost

Food Systems, Waste Reduction & Compost

Neighborhood Compost Drop-Off Program Restaurant Food Waste Reduction Partnership Community Food Rescue Volunteer Program Backyard Compost Education Workshop School Cafeteria Compost Program Community Garden Compost System Food Storage and Waste Reduction Class Local Food Recovery Map Community Free Fridge Project “Eat the Whole Vegetable” Cooking Workshop

Neighborhood Compost Drop-Off Program Restaurant Food Waste Reduction Partnership Community Food Rescue Volunteer Program Backyard Compost Education Workshop School Cafeteria Compost Program Community Garden Compost System Food Storage and Waste Reduction Class Local Food Recovery Map Community Free Fridge Project “Eat the Whole Vegetable” Cooking Workshop

Biodiversity, Habitat & Regenerative Landscapes

Biodiversity, Habitat & Regenerative Landscapes

Native Plant Demonstration Garden Pollinator Pathway Initiative School Pollinator Garden Project Habitat Restoration Volunteer Day Bird Nest Box Installation Project Community Wildlife Habitat Certification Campaign Invasive Plant Removal Project Native Tree Planting Initiative Urban Pollinator Monitoring Project Local Biodiversity Education Walk

Native Plant Demonstration Garden Pollinator Pathway Initiative School Pollinator Garden Project Habitat Restoration Volunteer Day Bird Nest Box Installation Project Community Wildlife Habitat Certification Campaign Invasive Plant Removal Project Native Tree Planting Initiative Urban Pollinator Monitoring Project Local Biodiversity Education Walk

Suggested structure for an independent project around five simple deliverables:

Suggested structure for an independent project around five simple deliverables:

  1. Identify a local environmental problem

  2. Choose a project initiative

  3. Recruit at least 3–5 collaborators

  4. Take on one real action event

  5. Report and share your results ​​

  1. Identify a local environmental problem

  2. Choose a project initiative

  3. Recruit at least 3–5 collaborators

  4. Take on one real action event

  5. Report and share your results ​​

Step 3 Volunteer opportunities

🤝 Step 3: How to Find a Volunteer Opportunity That's a Good Fit

                  How to Reach Out to a Local Initiative (Without Awkwardness)

                  Preparing for Your Volunteering Day

Step 4 Recognition Form

🏅 Step 4: Completing the Eco-Action Challenge Recognition Form

If you have any problems or questions when filling out the form, then please reach out to our GoGreenLocally help team at info@gogreenlocally.org .

Step 5 Build your portfolio

📖 Step 5: Building Your Sustainability Contribution Portfolio

Step 6 Share experiences

🎥 Step 6: Share Feedback on Volunteering and/or Create a Video to Share Your challenge experience. (optional)

Create a 1 - 2 Minute Video to Share Your challenge experience. (optional)

Downloadable Canva Video Template to Create a Video About an Organization Volunteering Experience

Volunteer Organization Video.png

Downloadable Canva Video Template to Create a Video About Your Experience Volunteering 

Volunteer Reflections Video.png

How to Use a Canva Video Template to Make Your Own Video

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