Environmental Volunteer Opportunities

Community Clean-Up Events

The Community Clean-Up events are typically held every April and October. Volunteers meet at the Community Center (213 Little Falls St.), are organized into teams, and assigned to work areas throughout the city. City staff distributes trash pickers, trash bags, recycling bags, gloves, and reflective vests. This event is perfect for community groups (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.), church groups, families, or individuals.

Fall Community Clean-Up 2023

  • Saturday, September 30, 2023
  • 10 a.m. to Noon
  • To register, or for more information, email recycling@fallschurchva.gov or call 703-248-5466 (TTY 711)
  • Outdoors (wear comfortable clothes that can get dirty)

Habitat Restoration & Invasive Weed Removal

Join the City of Falls Church Habitat Restoration Team in restoring the local ecosystem in City parks. We will be removing damaging invasive plants as well as planting natives that benefit our local birds, butterflies, and other pollinators.

We have one outreach event in April and three restoration events scheduled for Spring 2023. We are limiting each event to 40 people, so we are asking you to pre-register with this sign-up genius form: Spring23HRT. Tools, single-use gloves, water, and snacks will be provided at the events. Volunteers should dress to get dirty, bring personal gloves if you prefer, and wear close-toed shoes. Please see here for additional location information.

 Date Location Time
Saturday, March 18Howard E Herman Stream Valley Park
10 a.m. to Noon
Saturday, April 1Crossman Park10 a.m. to Noon
Saturday, April 22Farmer's Market - native tree giveaway9 a.m. to Noon
Saturday, May 6Cherry Hill Park10 a.m. to Noon

If you can't join us (or even if you can!), check out the information below to see how you can help by managing invasive plants at home.

For more information about the Habitat Restoration Program, contact volunteers Amy Crumpton or Melissa Teates. 

Invasive Plant Management at Home

Help the Habitat Restoration Team manage invasive plants in the City by volunteering to take on the challenge in your own back (and front) yard. Not sure what plants are considered invasive or how to manage them? Our Invasive Plant of the Month series describes some of the most common invasive plants to look out for, and how to remove them.

Yellow Grove Bamboo Opens in new windowItalian arum Opens in new windowLesser Celandine Opens in new window
January - BambooFebruary - Italian Arum
Barberry Butterfly Bush Opens in new window
May - Garlic Mustard Opens in new windowJune - Multiflora Rose Opens in new window
July - Chinese Privet Opens in new windowAugust - Porcelainberry Opens in new windowJapanese Honeysuckle Opens in new window

September - Japanese & Bush Honeysuckle
Burning Bush Opens in new window
English Ivy Opens in new window
Winter creeper Opens in new window
December - Winter Creeper