Sign up today to help with the Bike Valet for the Sunrise Rotary Ride Finish Event! Bike Valet volunteering entails: Setting up and breaking down canopies, bike racks and other event materials; Greeting customers; Providing a great customer service experience with a positive and welcoming demeanor; Coordinating intake and return of bicycles; Wheeling bikes to/from bike racks; Lifting bicycles onto/off of bike racks; or Monitoring bikes during event. At Santa Cruz County Bank, 75 River Street, SC. More info and sign up HERE.
Author: Environteers
Founder and director of Environteers.org - Environmental Volunteer Opportunites in Santa Cruz County
Groundswell Coastal Ecology: Seabright Coastal Restoration, Oct 2, 10 am – 12:30 pm
“Come join your local community in coastal restoration at Seabright Beach. Help make our coast a better place and learn about coastal ecology. Activities vary by season: Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter, clearing invasive plants; Late Summer/Fall, native plant propagation; Fall/Winter, planting native plants. Every Monday!” More Info HERE.
Elkhorn Slough: First Friday Clean-Ups, Oct 6, 10 am – Noon
“I am reaching out in efforts to recruit more volunteers for our First Friday Clean-Ups. A couple of volunteers and I have been hitting the El Chamisal Property hard and getting tons of plastic, PVC pipes, and other trash out. It’s been quite impressive what we’ve been able to get out in the last couple of weeks. We’ve also enjoyed a beautiful hike, great conversations, and hopeful visions for the future of that property.” El Chamisal Property, 70 Blohm Road, Watsonville. To sign up email Juan Ramirez: Juan@elkhornslough.org
SC Museum Of Natural History: Underground – Unearthing Unseen Worlds, Opening Oct 6
We are excited to announce our next exhibit, Underground: Unearthing Unseen Worlds. This original exhibit explores the world beneath our feet. While sometimes at the root of our greatest fears, we know the underground is teeming with life, is integral to death, and can help tell the earth’s history. What mark have we made on the underground landscape and what stories will it tell future generations? Visit the exhibit to dig deeper. DIG IN.
Seymour Marine Discovery Center: Block Party on the Bluff, Oct 6, 5:30 – 9:00 pm LINK
Come enjoy music, food, vendors, and a new exhibit on climate solutions! At the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, 100 McAllister Way
Watsonville Wetlands Watch: Annual Fall Native Plant Sale, Oct 7, 9 am – 1pm
The sale will feature three dozen native plant species (see link) grown by our propagation volunteers, interns, and staff at our on-site nursery. Proceeds from the sale support our wetlands restoration and education programs. All plant sales will be in person. Download HERE the list of species that will be available for purchase. At the top of the Pajaro Valley High School campus, 500 Harkins Slough Road.
Natural Bridges State Park: Welcome Back Monarchs Day, Oct 8, 11 am – 4 pm
Join us in welcoming the monarch butterflies back to the park, where they will spend the winter. Enjoy arts and crafts, active games for kids, live music by the 5Ms, hand-cranked “monarch” pumpkin-flavored ice cream, information booths on monarch butterflies and butterfly gardens, and more! Free event. Vehicle day-use fee is $10. For more info call (831) 423-4609. Event made possible by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks. Link to Park website HERE
UCSC: Strawberry Picker Film Screening, Oct 10, 6 – 8 pm
Strawberry Picker is a short documentary depicting the life story of a little boy growing up in labor camps to become a world-class artist! A look at generations of struggle and resilience in the Chicano Art Community through the experiences of Juan R. Fuentes. Join us for a post-screening conversation with Juan R. Fuentes and filmmakers, Maria Cano-Bonner and Eugenia Renteria, from Inspira Studios. Stevenson Event Center, Stevenson Service Road, UCSC. Info HERE.
Coastal Watershed Council: River Health Day- Bridging the Gap Edition, Oct 14, 10 am – Noon
Join us for our River Health Day Bridging the Gap edition to plant and maintain native seedlings along the banks of the San Lorenzo River to increase biodiversity and revitalize the river ecosystem. We will meet at Yoso Wellness Spa and walk from there to either our habitat enhancement site or to join Save Our Shores in a trash cleanup along the Lower San Lorenzo River. We recommend that all volunteers joining us at our habitat enhancement site dress in comfortable gardening clothes, including long pants, socks and sturdy closed-toe shoes. Bring layers, sun protection and a reusable water bottle. Gloves, tools and light refreshments will be provided. More info and signup HERE.
Forest Of Nisene Marks Trail Work Day, Oct 15, 9:30 AM – 2 PM, 2 – 4 Hour Shifts
“Join us for a trail work day in Nisene Marks SP! You’ll feel great to be of service and give back to the park we all love! Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and comfortable shoes you can hike to work site in as well as work/garden gloves if you have them. Bring a bag lunch and water. State Parks will provide liability release and all tools needed. Past work days have included installing and removing seasonal bridges, cutting trees that have fallen across the trail, removing ivy, and brushing back overgrown trails. Wide range of jobs to fit everyone! 3rd Sunday of each month, 9:30 am, 2 – 4hr. shifts. Covid safe. Meet at 9:30am at the entrance kiosk, coffee and baked goods will be available!” Info HERE.
Focus on Climate: Sierra Club Climate Committee, Oct 19, 6:30 pm
Sierra Club Santa Cruz invites club members and climate activists to join our Climate Committee. Chaired by Magi Amma and focusing on more specific climate centered issues, both local and statewide, this is a relatively new committee. Our work over the past year has included sea-level rise, river and watershed health, post-CZU fire recovery, deforestation and utility vegetation clear-cutting, wildfire risk due to changing weather patterns, transportation and renewable energy issues, and contacting and meeting with our local and state government staff, representatives and legislators. If you’re concerned about climate issues, please come to a meeting to see what we do, or consider joining the committee to work directly with us. We meet by Zoom every third Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm and we welcome new members or guests. Email Magi at magi@hippocampus.com
Watsonville Wetlands Watch: Prolific Propagators, Oct 20, 11 am – 1 pm (And Every Friday)
“As a coastal estuary and wetland system, the Watsonville Slough System is on the front lines of climate change. Projected sea level rise, increased storm strength, and changes in the climate are likely to threaten the Watsonville wetlands, and wildlife that depend on these wetlands, in a variety of ways. These wetlands are spread throughout the City of Watsonville, and support both an amazing greenbelt and a trail network for bicycling and walking. Help sow seeds & transplant plants for restoring native plant communities and wildlife habitats throughout this area. Wear old clothes, sunhat, and sunscreen. Garden gloves are provided. No training or garden experience is necessary. A fun and gratifying experience! Meet at 500 Harkins Slough Rd – the building on the top parking lot next to the basketball courts. No registration needed. More info contact Jose HERE
S C Museum Of Natural History: Saturdays In The Soil, Oct 21, 10 am – Noon
“It’s time to get your hands dirty at our monthly volunteer program in our native plant garden. Learn about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening while coming together as a community (in a physically distanced manner) to steward Tyrrell Park through the City’s Adopt-A-Park program. This native plant garden requires general landscaping, occasional watering, weeding, and replanting. All ages are welcome; children under 14 require adult supervision. Please follow current state and local guidelines for covid safety at the time of the program. Every third Saturday at the SC Museum of Natural History.” RSVPs are required. Email volunteer@santacruzmuseum.org to express interest. More info HERE.
Amah Mutsun Land Trust: Tending To The Amah Mutsun Garden At The Pie Ranch, Oct 21, 1 – 4 pm
“Volunteers have been an essential part of our repair and regeneration efforts after the CZU August Lightning Complex fire burned through Pie Ranch. Designed by tribal member, Matthew Lopez, the Native Garden is shaped like a pie with pathways representing the four directions. Each “pie slice” represents different ethnobotanical native plants featuring grassland foods, fibers and basketry plants, nuts and berries, and personal care. Some of us will stay in the garden for the whole work shift and some will venture to other projects around the farm. Volunteers help with planting, weeding, harvests, culling and mulching. There is also maintenance work to be done. Volunteer work days at Pie Ranch are on the third Saturday of each month. Pie Ranch, 2080 Green Oaks Way, Pescadero.” To RSVP go HERE or email: aarganbright@amahmutsun.org
Groundswell Coastal Ecology: Pilkington Creek Community Restoration Day, Oct 22, 10 am – 1 pm
“A dedicated group of volunteer land stewards is working to replace invasive plants with a glorious diversity of native plants. These plants provide structural habitat as well as produce nectar, berries, seeds that support many species of animals. Come join your local community in restoring this riparian woodland to native habitat. Help make this a refuge for birds and pollinators and learn about stream ecology. Meet at Tyrrell Park (by the Museum of Natural History), 1305 E Cliff Dr.” More INFO
Watsonville Wetlands Watch: New Volunteer Orientation, Oct 28, 8:30 – 9 am
We have a variety of volunteer opportunities available in both our restoration and education programs. If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved, please join us for our monthly new volunteer orientation on at the Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center (WERC, located at the top of the Pajaro Valley High School campus, 500 Harkins Slough Road, Watsonville). Our Education and Outreach Specialist Jose Alanis will provide a brief overview of our organization, programs, and volunteer opportunities, as well as a quick tour of the WERC. For more info go HERE or email Jose HERE
Homeless Garden Project: Volunteers Needed for Fall Sustain Supper, Oct 28, 3 – 6:30 pm
We couldn’t do it without our amazing volunteers! We are looking for volunteers to help before, during, and after the event! Here are some roles we need help with: Set-up crew (20 volunteers); Food service (20 volunteers); Greeters/Parking (3 volunteers); Tear down (20 volunteers). If you would like to volunteer at the Sustain Supper, please email our Volunteer Coordinator, Omar Guzman at volunteer@homelessgardenproject.org with the subject: “I’d like to volunteer at the Sustain Supper Event,” and include your contact info!
UCSC Seymour Center: Younger Lagoon Reserve Tours, Nov 2, 10:30 am – Noon
This 90-minute, behind-the-scenes hiking tour takes visitors into Younger Lagoon Reserve adjacent to the Seymour Marine Discovery Center. Part of the University of California Natural Reserve System, Younger Lagoon Reserve contains diverse coastal habitats and is home to birds of prey, migrating sea birds, bobcats, and other wildlife. Come and see what scientists are doing to track local mammals, restore native habitats, and learn about the workings of one of California’s rare coastal lagoons. A tour is offered on selected Thursdays and Saturdays of each month. Younger Lagoon Reserve tours are free and open to the public. Space is limited to 18 participants. Call 831-459-3800 or sign-up online HERE. Virtual tours are available ONLINE.