BLOOMINGTON — The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department is officially opening recruitment for its Adopt-a-Stream and Adopt-a-Greenspace programs for the 2026-2027 term.
These volunteer-led initiatives are designed to harness community power to keep Bloomington’s natural environments clean, safe, and accessible. The upcoming service term runs from May 2026 through April 2027, and city officials are looking for individuals, families, and local groups to take ownership of their local environment.
The Adopt programs offer two distinct paths for volunteers, depending on their environmental interests:
Adopt-a-Stream focuses on the conservation and maintenance of waterways flowing through public park properties. Volunteers help preserve the natural beauty and health of Bloomington’s aquatic ecosystems.
Adopt-a-Greenspace targets the city’s land-based ecology. Volunteers in this program are on the front lines of addressing and monitoring invasive plant species throughout the city to protect native habitats.
Parks and Recreation staff work closely with all participants to match them with a specific stream or greenspace that fits their skills and interests. No prior experience is necessary, as the city provides the necessary training.
A Mandatory virtual orientation is on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. A Zoom link will be provided to registered attendees.
Following the orientation, volunteers will meet with program leaders for hands-on training at their assigned locations before the May start date.
