Volunteer with CA

Who: Certified Weed Warriors can participate in this exciting new program. 

Details: The program recognizes spots in open space where Weed Warriors have been removing non-native invasive plants and replacing them with native plants. Weed Warriors can also work with CA staff and select new spots to “adopt.” See firsthand how Weed Warriors are teaming up to help beautify Columbia! For more information, visit the Adopt-A-Spot webpage.

Who: Anyone who wants to attend.

Details: CA is proud to support Columbia Cleans Day, a long-standing tradition that gives everyone the opportunity to help the environment in their own village. With the help of grant money, CA provides trash grabbers, vests, maps and bags. CA also picks up all the litter after the event.

How to get involved: Visit the CA Cleans webpage to learn how to get involved and for additional information.

Who: Anyone interested in beautifying Columbia. 

Details: During Pull and Plant events held throughout the year, groups of volunteers are taught how to remove specific non-native invasive plants and replant the area with native plants.

How to get involved: Check out CA’s Events Calendar for upcoming Pull and Plant events.

Who: Anyone interested in helping sample our local streams in partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Details: Each year in March and April, several Columbia stream sites are sampled for macroinvertebrates. These insects can provide an index of overall stream health. While on-site, we also remove litter, measure water chemistry and plant life. 

How to get involved: Email OpenSpace.ResourceRequests@ColumbiaAssociation.org to join the Stream Waders.

Who: Anyone who wants to plant trees in Columbia. 

Details: CA’s Open Space team is always looking for help planting new trees in the fall and spring.

How to get involved: To participate in a group tree planting event, visit CA’s Events Calendar. If you have an area that you would like to nominate for an upcoming tree planting, please email OpenSpace.ResourceRequests@ColumbiaAssociation.org.

Who: Columbia residents who care about protecting our native plant resources. Visit our blog to hear from five dedicated volunteers on what they love most about being Weed Warriors. 

Details: Certified volunteer leaders, who complete CA’s training program, may supervise and “lead” groups of volunteers onto the open space to perform designated invasive weed removal tasks.

How to get involved: Weed Warrior training is held twice a year. Anyone interested can email OpenSpace.ResourceRequests@ColumbiaAssociation.org to learn about the next training.

Who: Anyone over the age of 15 interested in helping with special events and receptions with Columbia Art Center.

Details: Volunteer duties include greeting guests at shows/events, helping with refreshments and clean-up. 

How to get involved: Email liz.henzey@columbiaassociation.org and art.staff@columbiaassociation.org with your interest and availability.

Who: Anyone over the age of 16 interested in history, public history, research, archives or curation.

Details: Most volunteer projects involve inventorying and numbering collection material, rehousing material into archival safe storage, writing descriptions or creating online exhibits. We do our best to tailor volunteer activities to the individual to fit their interests and skills. 

How to get involved: Email Columbia.Archives@columbiaassociation.org if interested.