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Get Involved! This is your opportunity to help preserve and maintain our natural resources
Gaston County is committed to preserving natural spaces, not only to sustain the environment but to offer unparalleled access so everyone can enjoy them. Here is a list of non-profits in the area where you can help make a difference by getting involved and volunteer to help preserve the natural assets of Gaston County.
Catawba Riverkeeper
The Catawba Riverkeeper preserves the quality waters in our rivers. Our waters have experienced damage from years of misuse, unchecked pollution, development, and human irresponsibility. It is our job to both mitigate the damage and work to return our waters and surrounding lands to their original form.
Want to take action and improve our local waterways? Participate in a lake/stream cleanup, adopt a watershed, or help out on-the-water by volunteering, Volunteers are crucial to Catawba Riverkeeper’s success to protect local water quality.
Catawba Lands Conservancy
This community-based conservation organization is dedicated to saving land and connecting lives to nature. Their six-county land protection area includes not only Gaston County but Catawba, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg and Union counties.
Now more than ever they need your support.
By volunteering, donating or joining one of their groups, you can be an ambassador for the land, water, wildlife and local farms in the area. Let’s work together to keep our region clean, safe and green forever.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Considered the Carolinas’ Garden for all seasons, DSBG provides guests a chance to reconnect with nature. One of the greatest strengths of the Garden is their volunteers who provide assistance through horticulture, special events and educational tours.
Volunteering at the Garden Volunteering provides an opportunity to meet people with similar interests and give the community the gift of your time.
Friends of Crowders Mountain
Being a Friend of Crowders Mountain is about being a part of a community who believes in preserving and up-keeping the wonder that is known as Crowders Mountain State Park. Friends of Crowders Mountain is a group of volunteers that offer both hands-on support and financial support to the great cause of preserving the park.
Tarheel Trailblazers
Join the Tarheel Trailblazers and help build and maintain mountain bike trails in the greater Charlotte region! Your membership supports the advocacy efforts of the Trailblazers as they promote land access, trail preservation, and new trail development in the area.
Gaston County Parks and Recreation
Gaston County Parks and Recreation develops, maintains, and manages parks in the county, providing opportunities for citizens to participate in leisure activities and by hosting a wide variety of programs, events and festivals throughout the year. These programs, events, and festivals would not be possible without sponsorship from local businesses in our community. Being a sponsor is a great way to support the community that you serve while also promoting your products and services.
Adopt-A-Park
Gaston County Parks and Recreation’s Adopt-A-Park Program is designed to encourage the community be hands-on in helping keep Gaston County parks clean, safe and attractive. This program provides citizens, citizen groups/agencies and organizations an opportunity to contribute to the County by "adopting" a park, and agreeing to improve it through litter pick-up, maintaining flower beds, painting, spreading playground mulch and other beautification projects. The program allows people to take ownership in their community promoting pride, appreciation and awareness.
Piedmont Area Wildlife Stewards (PAWS)
This group pursues the conservation, preservation, and protection of our wildlife and their habitat. They raise awareness and educate the public about these endeavors. Participation and in Gaston County PAWS is open to anyone interested in the conservation and protection of our area wildlife and their habitat.
Trail Masters Program
These are leaders in developing and maintaining segments of the Carolina Thread Trail throughout the 15-county region. Volunteers and industry professionals attend a four-day course on the latest techniques in sustainable trail building and maintenance as well as volunteer leadership. This nationally recognized certification lasts three years. Become a trail master.
The Natural Resources Department
This department works to sustain and improve the natural resources of Gaston County through regulatory, voluntary and education programs and serves as staff to the Gaston Soil and Water Conservation District Board, a state-mandated entity of two elected and three appointed Board Members who direct conservation priorities in their District. Voluntary programs include the Volunteer Agricultural District and Enhanced Volunteer Agriculture District, plus many state and federal programs.
NC Cooperative Extension, Gaston County
The Cooperative Extension helps our county be supporting NC State Extension programs and community projects. Volunteer opportunities include; Cattlemen’s Association, Extension Master Gardeners (EMG), The Extension and Community Association (ECA), The Extension Master Food Volunteer Program, The Gaston County Beekeepers , and 4-H.
