Volunteers truly do make the world go ‘round and that spirit of volunteerism is the backbone of what we do here at the ERT Foundation. Our trail was literally built by a passionate group of volunteers who believed in the possibility of this trail and what it could do for our city and the larger region. Operating with a very lean staff and resources, the Foundation would not be able to accomplish our mission without the help of committed volunteers. Whatever your time, talents or interests we have an opportunity for you!
When it works for you
- Join us at an upcoming event, program, or project. See what’s happening and sign up to volunteer here.
- Join the ERT Trail Ambassador Program!
- Trail Ambassadors are our eyes on the trail
- Patrol the trail at least twice a month
- When, where on the trail, and how long you patrol is up to you
- Report your patrols here
- Fill out the Volunteer Interest Form to sign up
- Join the ERT Green Team!
- Green Team Members are the key to a beautiful, resilient trail
- Gardening experience or plant knowledge is not required
- Do at least two beautifications each month
- Our Beautification Guide shows locations, what to do, how to get yard waste collected, and helps you identify common weeds
- Report Green Team work here
- Fill out the Volunteer Interest Form to sign up
- ERT volunteers can submit trail cleanup and beautification reports here!
As a group
- Whether you’re with a military command, a university/college Greek organization, a trail business or sponsor or an individual wanting to better connect with your community, we can help you plan your next volunteer project on the trail
- Litter Cleanup
- Beautification
- Or, a special project
- Join us at an upcoming event, program, or project. See what’s happening and sign up to volunteer here.
- The ERT hosts many events that are ideal for groups
- MLK Day Cleanup in January
- Celebrate Trails Day in April
- ERT Field Day in August
- International Coastal Cleanup (September)
- Glow Party in November
- Ready to align your brand with a community trail, do some team building, and give back to your community? Email hello@ElizabethRiverTrail.org to get started!
Everyone can volunteer on the trail!
- Do people tell you, there’s nothing you can’t fix? We need volunteers that are handy with a variety of maintenance needs along the trail.
- Do you have a green thumb and a weed whacker? We need volunteers that can tackle overgrown foliage and beautify our landscaping.
- Do you love working with kids? We need volunteers who want to help us grow youth programming on the trail.
- Do you like being involved and giving back to your community? We need volunteers to help make our many events and programs possible.
- Do you need volunteer hours for school, work, or have court-ordered hours to fulfill? Your help is always appreciated and you’ll have fun volunteering on the trail.
- Does litter bother you? Join a trail cleanup or reach out, and we can help you plan your own.
Join our trailside hq welcome team
HQ HOSPITALITY HOST
Help us create a welcoming first impression at our new Trailside Headquarters! Hospitality Hosts greet visitors, share trail information, support our HQ Outpost and bike rentals, and help connect people to all the amazing experiences happening along the Elizabeth River Trail.
Volunteer Position | Multiple Opportunities Available
internships
There are many opportunities for college students to explore internships with the ERT Foundation. (P.S. All interns receive great ERT swag!) Interns are eligible for a stipend upon successful completion of their internship program.
COMMUNICATIONS & STORYTELLING INTERN: Love social media, photography, writing, and storytelling? Our Communications + Storytelling intern will help bring the Elizabeth River Trail to life through content creation, event coverage, photography, social media, and digital storytelling. This is a hands-on opportunity to gain real-world nonprofit marketing and communications experience while helping connect people to one of Norfolk’s best community assets.
TRAIL MAINTENANCE: Love being outdoors and making a visible impact? Our Trail Maintenance intern supports beautification efforts, basic trail upkeep, landscaping support, and stewardship projects that help keep the Elizabeth River Trail welcoming, safe, and beautiful. Interns may also assist with environmental projects, signage intiatives, and community clean-up efforts along the trail.
PROGRAM SUPPORT INTERNSHIP
Our Program Support Intern assists with community events, trail activations, educational programming, volunteer support, and special projects that help connect people to the Elizabeth River Trail. If you enjoy people, problem-solving, planning, and making things happen behind the scenes, this internship offers a fun, hands-on way to build experience in nonprofit programming and community engagement.
JOIN OUR TEAM
The Elizabeth River Trail Foundation team helps connect people, neighborhoods, businesses, and outdoor spaces across Norfolk. Whether through programming, outreach, accessibility, stewardship, or leadership, every role helps move our mission forward.
SPINCLUSION PROGRAM MANAGER
Help make the trail accessible for everyone as our Spinclusion Program Manager! The Elizabeth River Trail Foundation is seeking a passionate, organized, and community-minded part-time Spinclusion Program Manager to help lead one of our primary programs. This role supports all ages and abilities through participant coordination, volunteer support, program logistics, community partnerships, and hands-on event management.
If you love people, problem-solving, accessibility, and creating joyful experiences that truly make an impact, we’d love to hear from you.
This position is ideal for someone with experience or interest in adaptive recreation, healthcare, nonprofit programming, community engagement, occupational or recreational therapy, event coordination, and disability inclusion.
Part-Time | Seasonal