Volunteer

Open Volunteer Roles

Please email Eva at eva.sadana@sierraclub.org if you are interested in any of these roles.

• Clean Energy Committee volunteers

We are making DC a nation-wide leader in the clean energy transition by moving the city off methane gas, promoting efficient all-electric buildings, supporting a strong solar sector, and phasing out less-efficient lighting containing toxic mercury. Our monthly meetings are usually on the third Tuesday evening of the month (check the calendar to register for the next one). Time commitment: 3-5 hours per month.

• Outings Leaders

Every month DC volunteers lead hikes, bike rides, and paddles in DC and in the nearby region, guiding hundreds of DC neighbors to explore and enjoy the outdoors together. The DC Chapter is looking for more volunteers who want to get trained and expand these outdoor adventures. Our regional outings program, SCPRO, leads over 85 hikes every year, and we’d like to do more. We’ll train you and equip you. To become an outings leader with the Sierra Club, you must complete online and in-person training (self paced), then complete a first aid course and get certified by a mentor. After you are certified, we ask you to lead a minimum of 2 outings a year, that you design and dream up. We have an outing leader training in late August 2026 to train a new cohort of leaders. Sound like something you’d like to do? We can guide you through the process. Email david.whitehead@sierraclub.org for more information. Time commitment: 1-3 hours per month.

• Gratitude Volunteer

The most important thing in our fundraising effort is saying thank you! Join our team of thank you note writers who, as soon as we receive a gift to the DC Chapter, hand-write a personal thank you note to every donor. This is a crucial job, and we’ll provide you with a brief training and the stamps and thank you cards so you can do this from home. Time commitment: 1 hour a week.

• Membership Committee volunteers

We create meaningful activities for District residents to connect with environmental issues that lead to a sense of belonging to a community of like-minded folks and works to increase our Sierra Club membership. We are looking for members to attend monthly meetings, and help plan social and service events for the Chapter. Time commitment: 3 hours per month.

• Political Volunteer

We’re in the middle of one of the most important local elections of recent history. In January, a new mayor and three new councilmembers will be sworn into office. We expect DC will hold at least two special elections in 2027 to fill DC Council vacancies. DC will have at least one competitive race this fall and next year’s special elections could reshape the District's political landscape for years to come. The Sierra Club needs a strong team of volunteers ready to knock doors, make phone calls, and ensure we elect climate champions.

• Sustainable Transportation Committee volunteers

We advocate for effective and decarbonized transit, and a more bikeable and walkable DC. Current projects include advocating for clean electric buses, increased access and infrastructure to electric vehicles, and sustainable Metro funding. We usually meet on the second Tuesday evening of the month (check the calendar to register for the next one). Time commitment: 3-5 hours per month.

• Communications Volunteer

We’re always in need of comms help – from photography for our events to drafting articles for our print newsletter to designing social media content. If you have a specific comms skill or want to learn something new, please reach out! Time commitment: 2-4 hours per month.

• Water & Natural Places Committee volunteers

We work to protect the District’s water and natural resources. Current projects include equipping community members to enforce environmental remedies and protections at the redevelopment of RFK stadium site, and expanding and enforcing DC plans to remove lead from our drinking water. We usually meet on the second Wednesday evening of the month (check the calendar to register for the next one). Time commitment: 3-5 hours per month.

• Holiday Party Volunteer

The DC Chapter holiday party is always a huge event for us! Last year we had nearly 200 attendees. We could use your help planning and executing our 2026 Holiday Party. Our committee will meet monthly over the next few months to get items done, and more frequently closer to the date to finalize logistics. If event planning is your thing, we’d love your support. Time commitment: 3-5 hours per month.

• Zero Waste Committee volunteers

We advocate for DC to prioritize reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting over incineration and landfilling. We are working to pass a Bottle Bill (a deposit-return law), adopt reusable food ware and building materials, massively expand DC’s composting and recycling programs, and track and expand the District's Zero Waste laws and plans. We usually meet on the second Tuesday evening of the month (check the calendar to register for the next one). Time commitment: 3-5 hours per month.

• Water Sentinels

We have incredible rivers and riverfront areas in DC, and we must preserve and protect them. We are looking for volunteers to coordinate the DC Chapter’s water-focused work with allied local organizations (Anacostia and Potomac Riverkeepers, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, etc). You’ll plan and lead service opportunities for DC volunteers to support river clean ups and water quality monitoring in DC rivers. These organizations have the equipment and expertise to support our volunteers, we just need chapter volunteers to set up the events, coordinate and recruit our membership to join! Time commitment: 4-8 hours per month. Email david.whitehead@sierraclub.org if you’re interested.

See our calendar for all our upcoming policy committee meetings, clean-ups, social events, and hikes.

Calendar of Events and Outings