If you’d like to stick close to home, you can grow your own fresh, organic backyard produce for Lettuce Link, which delivers the bounty to local food banks. Thumb not so green? Pitch in with the organization’s annual Community Fruit Tree Harvest in late summer, and pluck apples, pears and plums from local backyards for delivery to meal programs and food banks.

(If you’re blessed with your own fertile fruit trees, contact the program to donate excess).

For a less rigorous volunteer option, teach youngsters to appreciate nature using all their senses at the Seattle Tilth Children’s Garden, where you’ll

lead children in smelling herbs, planting carrot seeds, and eating flowers. “Enthusiasm is more important than experience,” according to the Tilth

folks. The organization also welcomes Garden Crew Volunteers, who put in sweat equity in exchange for training in organic gardening techniques.

Wilder volunteer options include yanking invasive plants and tucking in

fresh new native species on outings with EarthCorps, a local nonprofit dedicated to environmental restoration projects. If you’re ready for a steady commitment, you can adopt your own piece of an urban watershed by becoming a Creek Steward through Seattle Public Utilities. You’ll look after creekside native plants, pull ivy, and possibly organize work parties with friends and neighbors. Seattle Parks and Recreation is also fertile ground for volunteers, with mulching, weeding, and other park maintenance opportunities.

If all this work in the outdoors leaves you eager to encourage others to get outside, join the Outdoors For All Foundation in providing outdoor adventures for children and adults with disabilities, by acting as a climbing, hiking, cycling, canoe or kayak partner.

These are just a few of many great volunteer opportunities! For more local ideas, click here.