Help Make an Impact on the French Broad River
Public Volunteer Opportunities
Throughout the year RiverLink hosts 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.
Custom Volunteer Outings
Have a group of 10 or more who is interested in volunteering with us?
For businesses, organizations, and adult groups interested in volunteering, thank you in advance for considering a complementary or sponsored outing. You will be assisting RiverLink in our commitment to improve the economic and environmental vitality of the French Broad River watershed. Please learn more about our offerings at our Group Volunteer Page.
Other Ways to Get Involved
Adopt-A-Storm Drain
RiverLink is partnering with the City of Asheville and local volunteers to protect water quality through an Adopt-A-Storm Drain Program. Pollution from stormwater runoff is the biggest threat to clean water in our urban streams. By helping to maintain a local storm drain you can keep trash out of our streams and help prevent flooding.
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. Give us a call at (828) 252-8474 ext. 111 or send us an email to volunteer@riverlink.org to schedule a time to come pick up some equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sort of activities can volunteers help with?
Most of our volunteer service activities are based around maintaining public access lands and stormwater features. This often includes invasive plant removal, trash cleanup, and occasionally some planting or live staking.
Do I need to have any experience to volunteer?
Not at all, there are plenty of opportunities to help out if you’re new to this sort of work. Our staff will make sure that you have all of the tools and knowledge you need to have a safe, fun, and impactful volunteer experience.
What should volunteers bring to service days?
RiverLink will provide all tools and equipment, extra gloves, refill water, sunscreen, bug spray, etc. Volunteers should come prepared with a reusable water bottle and wear appropriate outdoor clothing and closed toe shoes.
What are the physical requirements?
We are typically outdoors for 2-4 hours. The nature of our work usually involves bending, stooping, and light lifting as we tackle invasive plants and often are walking on uneven terrain. However, we are very sensitive to the needs of our groups and will customize the outing accordingly to ensure the physical requirements meet all.
Will we be getting in the river or kayaking?
Typically no. If we hold a live-staking event, we may stand on a stream bank. We do not get into the river to remove litter as we have found it is much more effective to pick up litter before it enters the river.
Can I get all my service hours with RiverLink?
Most likely not, we don’t always have the most consistent volunteer opportunities and don’t often have daily/weekly volunteer needs. We recommend using volunteer hours with us to supplement service you do with other organizations like food banks, animal shelters, homeless shelters, or other environmental groups.
Can I volunteer with my team?
If you are looking to schedule a service day for your team please check out our Group Volunteers page to learn more about those opportunities.