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Community involvement is essential to the long-term health of our creeks, beaches, and neighborhoods, and volunteer events provide a great opportunity for interested community members to learn more about our programs and the local environment. 

Join the Creeks Division for beach and creek clean-ups, native planting events, and invasive plant removal efforts, or volunteer with the Clean Community Division at one of their monthly neighborhood clean-ups.

The Sustainability & Resilience Department hosts volunteer events throughout the year, and can also accommodate businesses, school groups, and other organizations looking to plan service events. 

Explore our volunteer opportunities below, sign up for our newsletters, follow us on social media, or get in touch with us to plan an event for your organization!

Adopt-a-Beach

The Creeks Division administers the California Coastal Commission's Adopt-a-Beach Program in the City of Santa Barbara. Get involved in existing Adopt-a-Beach activities by contacting the organizations below, or contact us at Creeks@SantaBarbaraCA.gov to learn more about adopting a beach of your own! 

Adopt-a-Beach Groups in the City of Santa Barbara
BeachAdopter
West BeachSanta Barbara Channelkeeper
East Beach at Mission LagoonSanta Barbara Urban Creeks Council
East BeachSanta Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center

 

Adopt-a-Block

The Adopt-a-Block program is a volunteer effort dedicated to keeping Santa Barbara neighborhoods clean, beautiful, and free from graffiti and litter. Residents within City limits are eligible for free clean-up supplies including graffiti remover, safety equipment, litter grabbers, and trash bags when they adopt a block or area. 

There are no minimum time requirements to be part of our growing network - volunteer once a week or every day! To join the program, fill out and return both the permit application and the safety guidelines forms to Sustainability@SantaBarbaraCA.gov or mail to the address below. 

City of Santa Barbara
Clean Community Division
801 Garden Street, Suite 200 
Santa Barbara, CA 93101. 

Contact us at (805) 564-5631 or Sustainability@SantaBarbaraCA.gov for additional information.

Create a Clean-Up

Let the City help you coordinate a group clean-up activity! Each year we work with a variety of groups such as schools, businesses, service groups, neighborhood associations, and groups of neighbors to coordinate clean-up events (litter pick-up, graffiti removal, etc.). Groups can choose a date that works best for them and select specific neighborhoods or areas and we will provide the supplies! 

Contact us at CleanSB@SantaBarbaraCA.gov with the following information: 

Volunteer Clean-up Request 
Name 
Phone Number 
Email 
Type of Group 
Estimated Group Size 
Preferred Clean-Up Date 

Youth Fundraising 

The City of Santa Barbara is proud to sponsor an opportunity for youth groups to earn funds while cleaning up their community. The fundraiser is available to official youth groups (e.g. school clubs/teams, church youth groups, youth sports teams, youth service groups, etc.). Participating groups are provided with clean-up equipment and assigned to a neighborhood for three hours to clean up litter and remove graffiti. Events are typically held on Saturdays from 9am-12pm. 

A payment of $25 per participant will be donated to the organization. The maximum payment is $500. Larger groups will still receive equipment and supplies, but no additional funds. Supervision of students is the responsibility of each group. Youth groups must have a vehicle to pick-up and return supplies to the City’s storage location. 

All groups must provide the following: 

  1. Certificate of Insurance & Endorsement additionally insuring the City of Santa Barbara for two million dollars in general liability. This document is due two weeks before the event. 
  2. A Letter of Understanding signed by an official of your organization agreeing to the terms of the program. This document is due two weeks before the event. 
  3. A Hold Harmless Form must be signed and provided for every person participating in the event (including adult participants and supervisors). These forms are due 3 days before the event.