Empowering the River Community
So you’re looking to get involved and help out the French Broad River and it’s watershed, well you’ve come to the right place. Throughout the year RiverLink hosts many volunteer events that are open to anyone who wants to help out. There’s no experience needed for these events, just a love of the river and a desire to make an impact. We also host special events throughout the year that can always use some extra hands. We ask that you register for any events you’d like to attend so we can ensure we bring enough supplies for everyone that wants to participate.
Questions?
If you have any questions about volunteering with us, or you’d like to set up a private service day for your group send us an email at volunteer@riverlink.org
Public Volunteer Opportunities
Asheville: We need your help!
We’re looking for a team of dedicated volunteers to commit to monthly service days at the site of the future Karen Cragnolin Park. Volunteers will work outside at a safe social distance to remove invasive species. We will be working in groups of 15 or less and wearing masks to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
If you are interested in helping please fill out this survey (link below) so we can determine the best day and time to offer this monthly day of service.
Volunteer Groups
If you’ve got a group of friends, family, or coworkers looking to volunteer we’d love to help you make an impact on your community! We often work with church groups, schools and local businesses to organize private service days. We’ll find a date and time that works for your schedule and a project that fits your groups abilities. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to the environmental scene, or a seasoned veteran, there’s always a way that you can lend a hand.
How to Setup a Private Service Day
- Gather a group of at least 5 people that are above the age of 7.
- Contact us at volunteer@riverlink.org or (828) 252-8474 x 112 and let us know the details of your group (number of people, age range, ability) and any dates/times that work for your schedule. “Please send us this information at least 2 weeks before your desired dates.”
- We’ll assign you to one of our current projects that we feel is appropriate for your group.
- On the day of service, RiverLink will provide all tools & supplies needed for you to make a positive impact on the watershed.
Cleanup Supply Check Out
If you’re just looking to clean a stream or roadside on your own or with a couple friends or family we can help gear you up. We have gloves, trash bags, safety vests, and trash grabbers that we can loan out to volunteers. Just give us a call or send us an email and we can setup a time for you to come and get your equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should volunteers bring to service days?
Volunteers should come prepared with water, sunscreen, bug spray, and clothes and shoes that can get wet and dirty. RiverLink will provide all of the tools and safety equipment .
How many volunteers can we support?
The number of appropriate volunteers for each project varies, but in general we like to keep groups under 30. Our absolute maximum group size is 50 which we can split up to work on multiple different projects.
What are the requirements to do a river cleanup?
We are very selective about who gets on the river for a trash cleanup since these can be fairly dangerous. We ask that all volunteers participating in a river cleanup have prior experience paddling a canoe, and be 15 or older. If groups don’t meet these requirements we can still do a walking stream cleanup which is equally impactful.
Are there any other River groups that I can volunteer with?
Absolutely! Some of our favorite local partners do great work with volunteers and we highly recommend you check out their opportunities. These organizations include: Asheville GreenWorks, Mills River Partnership, and MountainTrue.