Volunteer Opportunities
You Can Make a Difference!
Oakland Adopt a Spot
Oakland Adopt a Spot is designed to help you and your fellow volunteers play an ongoing role in maintaining a public space that needs some extra attention. Adoptions can include parks, creeks and streets (including storm drains, median strips, curbs, pathways, and more). In partnership with your efforts, Public Works will loan tools, gloves and safety vests, as well as arrange for removal of collected debris.
Join the hundreds of residents, businesses and community groups who are already participating! For more information, please visit Oakland Adopt a Spot.
Cleanup and Beautification Events
Public Works coordinates two city-wide volunteer events each year involving thousands of participants: Earth Day, held in April, and Creek to Bay Day, in September.
Public Works also supports two large events coordinated by Keep Oakland Beautiful: the Great American Cleanup in the spring and Daffodil Day in the fall.
If you are interested in organizing your own cleanup or beautification event, contact us at (510) 238-7630 or oaklandadoptaspot@oaklandnet.com with your idea. We may be able to provide tools, trash pickup and other logistical support.
Clean Lake Initiative
The City of Oakland's Clean Lake Initiative supports volunteer cleanup, maintenance, monitoring and education at Lake Merritt. For information on how you can participate in these efforts, please contact the Lake Merritt Institute at (510) 238-2290 or lmi@netwiz.net.
ADA Special Events Policy
The City of Oakland Public Works Agency offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. We encourage individuals with disabilities to volunteer their time and efforts. Some volunteer opportunities may be located in areas without a designed path of travel and may require significant physical labor. To discuss available volunteer opportunities, please contact the person listed as the main contact for the event or (510) 238-3254 (TTY).
