Adopt A Stream

We need your help to create a safer, healthier place for people and wildlife, and to help improve local water quality. Litter is a serious problem in Rockville's watersheds. Trash and other pollutants travel from streets and parking lots through storm drains and into our local creeks.

Make Your Positive Impact

Individuals, families, businesses and community groups can adopt a stream in Rockville and organize cleanups to help our waterways stay free of litter and other contaminants. Even a small group of volunteers can remove large amounts of debris from streams in a short period of time.

Your group can choose to formally adopt a stream or participate in a one-time cleanup (two weeks' notice required). We also schedule public cleanups throughout the year so check the calendar often. See our interactive map below to find a stream near you that needs adoption. Please note that the Adopt-A-Stream program is on hold during the winter.

Upcoming Stream Cleanups

Join a public stream cleanup. MCPS SSL hours available. Space is limited and online registration is required.

Click to register for:

Adopt-A-Stream Interactive Map

View our interactive map of available streams that are in need of clean up and adoption.

Become a Volunteer

Review Guidelines

Learn more about the program and how you can make a difference by reading the Adopt-A-Stream General Program Conditions and Adopt-A-Stream Safety Guidelines. Adopting groups must also follow the Adopt-A-Stream COVID-19 Procedures.

Apply

Review the agreement terms and complete the online application.

Release Form

After you’ve submitted the application and been accepted, each volunteer in your group must sign the release form before participating in a cleanup. Release forms must be returned to greenvolunteer@rockvillemd.gov.

Resources

Adopt-A-Stream Release Form

Adopt-A-Stream Trash Tally Sheet

Adopt-A-Stream Cleanup Action Plan

Adopt-A-Stream Safety Guidelines