The Chicago River Eco-Warriors (CREW) are amazing friends who volunteer to improve and protect the Chicago-Calumet River system in many different ways.

Looking to volunteer?
Sign up to join the CREW here.

You'll receive our monthly volunteer newsletter with upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, links to resources, and more. There are many different ways the CREW helps people, water, and wildlife in the Chicago-Calumet River watershed.

Here are a few ideas:

• Help tackle our litter problem and create a Litter Free Chicago-Calumet River by:
  • Volunteering for Chicago River Day, our annual cleanup.
  • Planning a Litter Free volunteer cleanup - the Litter Free Toolkit (available in Spanish) shows you how, and borrow materials from our Litter Free Supply Stations.
  • Reporting overflowing Chicago Park District trash cans to (312) 742-7529.
  • Reporting untidy properties, dumpting and floating litter in the City of Chicago by calling 311, or using the 311 app. 
• Become a Canoe Guide.
• Become an Education Volunteer. Assist staff on outdoor field trips for K-12 and college students as part of our Chicago-Calumet River Schools Network.
• Help with special events, like the Student Congress and the Autumn Cruise. Event volunteer opportunities are shared through the CREW newsletter and on event pages.
• Improve critical habitat in our beautiful forest preserves and parks. Check out your local forest preserve or park district website for opportunities.
• Help us track wildlife, especially our focus species, osprey, bats, and turtles, as a wildlife monitor.
• Reduce combined sewer overflows by installing a micro-habitat rain garden, a rain barrel, native plants and by conserving water on Overflow Action Days
• Learn about river ecology and the ways we've improved the watershed by diving into the River Reporter archive. 
• Follow us on Facebook,  X (formerlyTwitter) and Instagram. It really helps when you like and share our posts. 
• Look into the Planning Committee to share professional experience.
• Plan a River Action Day (RAD) volunteer day for your company.
• Become a member. Memberships are available at many different levels. 

Questions? Email Annette Anderson or call her at (312) 939-0490, ext. 14.