Events & Volunteering

The Stormwater Division, along with many partners, hosts various educational events and volunteer opportunities all year long. 

Events & Programs

Little Alamance Creek Clean-Up

Saturday, May 13 from 9 - 11 am 
Homebuilders Shelter Parking Lot 
1435 Overbrook Rd. Burlington
Register here!
Calling individuals, groups and organizations to lend a hand and help clean up Little Alamance Creek at Burlington City Park! Volunteers will meet at the parking lot of the Homebuilders Shelter/Softball Hall of Fame in City Park for instructions, supplies and pick up their t-shirts.

Volunteers should come prepared wearing work clothes and closed-toed shoes you don't mind getting dirty, muddy or wet.  Long pants and long sleeves are highly recommended to protect yourself from briars, poison ivy, insects etc. Be sure to bring insect repellent. 

Register by Wednesday, May 10 to be guaranteed a t-shirt. For questions, call or text Amy Barber at (336)309-1684 or email us! Save time at check-in by printing, signing and bringing this waiver to the event.

Community Stream Cleanup

Anytime during Alamance Creek Week - May 13-21
Register here!
We understand not everyone can make it out to the Little Alamance Creek stream clean-up on May 13, 2023. BUT we are encouraging individuals, groups or organizations to host their own cleanup on your street, in your neighborhood, a local park, trail, creek or stream anytime during Alamance Creek Week - May 13-21.  The beautiful thing is, picking up litter ANYWHERE in the City helps keep our streams clean. You chose the date, time and location and we'll supply you with free t-shirts, trash bags, gloves, etc! 

If you, your group or your organization would like to host a community or neighborhood cleanup elsewhere within Burlington anytime during Alamance Creek Week - May 13-21, register here so we can prepare your free t-shirts and organize your supply pick-up! Register by Wednesday, May 10 to be guaranteed a t-shirt.

Kids to Parks Day

Saturday, May 20 from 12 noon - 3 pm
Burlington Arboretum at Willowbrook Park 
315 W. Willowbrook Dr. Burlington
Free, drop-in event!
Want to discover new ways of engaging with the great outdoors? Come celebrate National Kids to Parks Day and Alamance Creek Week! Families are invited to come learn about the importance of creeks and waterways in our community while exploring the Arboretum! Did you know there is a super fun playground and a special tree house at the Arboretum?  Staff will be ready to help families explore waterbugs in the creek and, for the willing, have an up-close encounter with some macroinvertebrates! Learn about trees and go on a tree ID scanger hunt. Arboretum Manager and certified arborist, Jason Barnhill will be on hand to help identify these tree-mendous plants. The Park & Play mobile recreation van will be on-site with life-sized games, play equipment and FUN! No cost and no registration are required, just mark your calendar and we will see you there!

Get Hiking!  

Get hiking on local trails in Burlington and around Alamance County! These free, small-group guided hikes take place on natural surface trails, often new creeks, streams, rivers or lakes. Hikes are generally 2-3 miles long. All ages are welcome, but minors must be accompanied by an adult. View the current hike schedule and register now.

Kayaking Programs

Burlington Recreation & Parks provides many opportunities for guided and facilitated kayaking programs on City lakes. Programs include Intro Classes, Meet-Up Paddles, Sunset Paddles, and Lake Cleanups. View all the kayaking programs and schedule now.

Volunteer Opportunities

NC Stream Watch

If you like to learn and do, NC Stream Watch is for you! Learn about water quality and put your local stream on the map! NC Stream Watch participants adopt a section of a local stream or creek and commit to two brief assessments and cleanups over the course of one year. Contact our education partner Danica Heflin with Stormwater SMART at (336) 904-0300 or email to learn more or schedule a training.

Burlington Adopt-A-Park

Citizens and community groups can adopt a section of a city park or trail to care for over the course of one year. To learn more about who can participate, what kinds of projects can be completed, and the program's requirements and goals of promoting civic pride, appreciation, and stewardship, visit the program page now.