Volunteering

Be a Green Volunteer!

Volunteers are an extremely important component of sustainability within the City. They provide helpful skills, knowledge, time, and energy to sustainability efforts across the City. Green Bowie strives to engage as many community members as possible in sustainability-oriented activities and events. Interested in volunteering? Check out the opportunities below! Contact the Sustainability Manager with any questions or concerns.

Green Committees

Green Team Executive Committee

The Green Team provides leadership to the residents, schools, and businesses of Bowie on projects to improve the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of our community. The committee is made up of six subgroups listed below. For more information, visit the Green Team page or contact the committee's staff liaison.

Natural Resources hosts events such as container garden workshops, weed warrior workdays, and promotes native planting initiatives throughout the City
Food, Health, and Wellness promotes healthy living and healthy lifestyles in myriad ways
Energy focuses on solar and other energy efficiency solutions in the City
Green Schools connects schools to all things "green" including resources, certifications, and grants
MAPS (Multi-modal Access and Public Spaces) works on all things open space, mobility, and connectivity, focusing on complete streets, hiking/biking trails, and alternative transportation
Outdoor Recreation promotes enjoying nature by providing education, resources, and events about outdoor activities

Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC)

The mission of this committee is to provide policy recommendations to the City Council relating to the environment, public education, and outreach. For more information, visit the EAC page or contact the committee's staff liaison.

Weed Warriors

What is Weed Warrior?

Weed Warrior is a program run by the Green Team that works with volunteers to remove the invasive English Ivy vine from our local forests. The program began in July 2013 and meets in the spring and fall months on Saturdays. It is a great way for students to earn SSL hours!

What is English Ivy?

Everyone has likely seen English Ivy growing on trees in their yards, along neighborhood streets, and in local parks as it is a common but non-native and invasive species. It spreads quickly and is very destructive to native ecosystems. It can smother trees at their base and when it reaches into the tree's canopy, the added weight can topple the tree in a storm. Removing this invasive species is critical to maintaining the health of our local forests.

Program Information

This program is open to experts and those with no knowledge or experience in removing this invasive species. A tutorial is given at the beginning of each workday and all supplies are provided. A short overview of the process is as follows: the ivy is cut at eye-level and foot level, carefully pulled from the tree, and ground cover is removed about two feet from the base of the tree (this requires a bit of elbow grease and loppers and pruners will be used). Cut vines are disposed of in the trash and not composted.

Volunteer restrictions are as follows:

Children under 14 years of age must be under the direct supervision of a parent/guardian at all times. This means the parent must participate in the Weed Warrior Workday with the child.
No volunteers under age 16 can use large hand tools; they may use gloves and bags and work on the ground cover.
Volunteers must wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, closed-toed shoes, and keep ankles covered.
Appropriate waivers must be brought with the participant or signed on-site.
No more than 30 volunteers per workday are permitted.

How can I sign up?

Please email the Sustainability Manager to register for tour final Weed Warrior Workday for fall 2023. Registration is required and capacity is limited to 30 participants per workday.

October 28 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Whitemarsh Park

Other Information

In a forest setting, there is the potential for ticks, stinging insects, and poison ivy. If you are allergic to bees or wasps and have an EpiPen, be sure to have it with you when you come.