Sustainability

Volunteer for Your Community

Creating a climate-resilient, sustainable community is going to take teamwork! Be a part of the solution by volunteering for your favorite community organizations.

• Soulful Seeds is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to reducing food insecurity through urban gardening. Operating on four core principles—Community Gardens, Neighborhood Gardens, Education, and Workforce Development—the gardens serve homeless and food insecure neighbors. Volunteers support each pillar, contributing to garden maintenance, construction, food distribution, and community education on regenerative and sustainable food practices. To learn more, visit Soulful Seeds. 

• Urban Roots is a Reno-based nonprofit dedicated to growing a healthier community through urban farming education. They offer diverse educational programming from day camps, to farm school, and gardening experience for all ages. Volunteers assist with special projects and maintenance at the Urban Teaching Farm—a great way to enjoy the outdoors with friends, family, and co-workers. To learn more, visit Urban Roots.

• Reno Food Systems is a nonprofit dedicated to sustainable farming, mentorship, and community advocacy for a resilient local food system. Their Food System Programs address urban food-deserts and land scarcity for next-generation farmers, providing Washoe County residents with accessible, healthy foods. Volunteers are needed to support current projects from packing farm fresh produce to assisting the local Farm Stand. To learn more, visit Reno Food Systems. 

• Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and improving community parks, open spaces, and trails through public engagement and education. Volunteers are honored with the title of Stewards of the Outdoors, becoming ambassadors for outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, and community engagement by participating in various upcoming events and ongoing volunteer roles. To learn more, visit Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation. 

• Friends of Nevada Wilderness is dedicated to preserving and protecting Nevada’s public lands as wilderness, educating the public about wilderness values, and improving land management of wild lands. Volunteers participate in on-the-ground work to help monitor and restore Nevada’s wilderness including wilderness maintenance, invasive species removal, and attending outreach events with the community. To learn more, vist Friends of Nevada Wilderness. 

• Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB) is a nonprofit committed to enhancing the region’s sustainability and beauty through waste reduction, education, and community engagement. Volunteers are needed to support annual cleanup programs aimed at addressing illegal dump sites, maintaining public parks, open spaces, residential neighborhoods, and areas along the Truckee River. To learn more, visit Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful. 

• River Justice  Volunteer Clean-Up is an Indigenous-led project advocating for fair treatment and riparian health of the Truckee River. The project addresses historical and ongoing environmental degradation impacting Numu (Northern Paiute) communities downstream. Volunteers provide a stronger voice for the river by participating in cleanup projects to protect the river and endangered species. To learn more, visit River Justice. 

• Reno Burrito Project is a community-led nonprofit dedicated to providing food for Reno’s unsheltered population. Beyond food donation, the Burrito project is devoted to creating genuine human connection and mentorship within the community. Volunteers assist with rolling and distributing over 500 burritos to the unsheltered community. To learn more, visit Reno Burrito Project. 

• Reno Bike Project (RBP) is a nonprofit community bicycle shop and resource advocating for a sustainable cycling community in the Truckee Meadows area. RBP is dedicated to making cycling more accessible regardless of age, gender, race, or income. Volunteers are welcomed to aid in customer service, bike repair, fundraising, and social media content creation to promote the accessibility and affordability of cycling. To learn more, visit Reno Bike Project.

• Tahoe-Pyramid Trail (TPT) is a nonprofit organization supporting the creation of a trail following the entire length of the Truckee River, from its source at Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake. TPT requests long-term volunteers to assist with trail maintenance, research, GPS mapping, route inspection, grant writing, and public relations. To learn more, visit Tahoe-Pyramid Trail.

  Do you have a favorite local nonprofit organization that deserves to be featured here? Or something else you want us to know? Please let us know using this form.

Washoe County

There are also numerous opportunities to serve on various Washoe County boards, committees and other volunteer roles. Learn more on our local volunteer page.

Parks and Open Spaces Volunteer Opportunities 

Washoe County provides a range of hands-on volunteer opportunities aimed at supporting the maintenance and upkeep of community parks and open spaces. Volunteers are needed to ensure parks remain clean, attractive, and safe by participating in roles such as park maintenance, trail monitoring, and assisting with community events and recreational activities. To learn more, visit volunteer opportunities.