In 1986, Santa Cruz County voters passed Measure A, which gives voters the final say on whether onshore facilities for offshore oil and gas would be permitted in Santa Cruz County. A Yes on Measure D would update this ordinance to add seabed mining, giving voters the final say on whether offshore oil and gas or deep seabed mining-related activities would be permitted in Santa Cruz County. With the Federal government aggressively attacking coastal protections at the state and federal level, the passage of Measure D is a powerful way to ensure local residents continue to have our say in how our onshore resources are protected and managed. Though the immediate threats of resource extraction are beyond local jurisdiction, Measure D’s onshore protections in Santa Cruz County makes any leases off our coast prohibitively expensive and inconvenient for interested companies to justify extraction project. More INFO. How to get involved HERE.

Stationary regulatory monitors often miss the local air quality issues that worsen lung conditions and our ability to breathe. In collaboration with Breathe California, this study aims to identify the factors that contribute to the air quality within and around households of Watsonville, CA. We are recruiting residents who are interested in receiving a free indoor air quality assessment. Upon form completion, we will contact you to schedule an appointment for an approximate 1-hour assessment. To find out more, please contact Gavin Li at gavin@lungsrus.org.

Do you love gardens and gardening? The UCSC Arboretum & Botanic Garden has a wonderful community of staff, students, and volunteers ready to welcome you. Opportunities include staffing our gift shop and retail nursery and working to care for our gardens and greenhouses. To learn more, join us at one of our monthly information sessions. Meet us at Norrie’s Gift & Garden Shop at 10am for an easy walk through the gardens to visit a few of our volunteer groups at work. More HERE.

Our Volunteer Land Stewards program meets to work on Reserve stewardship projects most Wednesday mornings. (We appreciate participation an average of once a month) These projects include all sorts of habitat restoration activities, such as removing invasive weeds, collecting seeds, and planting native species. Please complete this FORM register for the Volunteer Land Stewards Orientation and Onboarding session on Wednesday.

Join our collective endeavor to restore Lompico Pond, enhancing the native habitat for diverse flora, fauna, and insects. Let's establish a captivating wildlife sanctuary, providing the community with a cherished space to revel in nature's wonders. Our work includes removing storm debris, reducing fuels, and removing invasive plants. 4th Saturday of every month through October. Tools and supplies provided! No need to bring your own equipment. Gloves are essential. Bring your pair or use our extras. Please walk to the pond if possible; parking is limited. More info HERE.

Join us for a fun-filled day of community and nature at our 4th Saturday Restoration Event at Hope Park, 76 Hope Dr. Help restore the habitat along the Pajaro River by removing invasive plants, learn about the amazing birds and wildlife that call these habitats home, and enjoy an educational wetland talk for all ages. With snacks and all materials provided, it’s the perfect family-friendly way to give back to the environment while having fun outdoors. Any questions? Please email outreach@watsonvillewetlandswatch.org. More INFO.

The Sustain Supper would not be possible without the help of our amazing community members who give of their time. We’re looking for about 100 volunteers to help bring Sustain Supper to life! With a variety of roles available, you can choose how you’d like to contribute—whether before, during, or after the event. It truly is a wonderful evening, and we want volunteering to be just as fun and meaningful as the Supper itself. Lunch will be provided for volunteers, and everyone is invited to stay and enjoy the keynote speaker and hear from one of our trainees. Info and signup HERE.

This gathering will be focused entirely on Mending. Whether you’re already a seasoned mender, have something you’ve been meaning to repair, or just want to learn alongside others, you’re invited. Kids are welcome to participate too! We’re especially hoping to bring together more of the menders, fixers, and skilled hands in our community. If you joined us in September, we’d love to see you again and keep building this repair community together. Felton Branch Library. More info and signup HERE

Come join your local community in coastal restoration at Seabright Beach. Help make our coast a better place and learn about coastal ecology. Together we are making an impact and have now restored over 1/2 mile of coastal dune, strand and bluff habitat. Click HERE for project background. Go HERE to sign up.

Help remove invasive French broom at the San Lorenzo Valley Water District's Olympia Watershed property. This volunteer opportunity helps restore Santa Cruz Sandhills habitat! Volunteers should expect to walk over uneven terrain and spend extended time bending/crouching. Activities include pulling weeds by hand, using gardening tools, and carrying tarps filled with weeds. Registration is required. Please go HERE to register and learn more. Check out the District's Volunteer Opportunities WEBPAGE for updates on subsequent volunteer dates. Meet near entrance gate at the end of the Zayante Fire Dept parking lot.

The objectives of these workshops are to build neighborhood connections and increase community confidence, preparedness, and resiliency towards climate disasters while informing community members of resources that support sustainable and resilient habits. Our flexible, interactive workshop model aims to accommodate a wide range of formats, from small gatherings (6+ participants) to larger community events. If you are interested in hosting or participating in a workshop, click HERE.

On the farm, you will meet the crew, learn more about the farm, and join that day's activities which may include: weeding, harvesting, planting, building compost and more. Projects are weather dependent and defined by the day's priorities. We often can't tell you exactly what project you'll be working on in advance. Arrive any time to join our crew for a day on the farm, working on a variety of tasks. Sign up for reminders and additional information or feel free to just drop in! At Natural Bridges Farm. Far West-side. INFO.

Rights of Nature is a growing legal and cultural movement that recognizes ecosystems — like rivers, forests, and oceans — as living entities with inherent rights to exist, thrive, and regenerate. Instead of treating nature solely as property, this framework gives communities a legal tool to defend the natural world when it’s threatened. We are a grassroots working group pursuing a ballot initiative to grant local ecological entities legal rights to exist and evolve. We're currently researching which ecosystem or species — such as the San Lorenzo River, salmon, or wildlife corridors — should be the focus of the policy. We need researchers now, and will need help with communications and signature collection as we move forward. We hope you will join us. Please visit our website HERE.

Offshore drilling leases and deep-sea mining are once again being proposed along the California coast, despite the major risks these industries pose to marine ecosystems and coastal communities. While these activities would occur in federal waters, local governments still have powerful tools to push back through ordinances that regulate onshore support facilities within their jurisdictions. Save Our Shores is partnering with local governments to strengthen California’s historic “Blue Wall” by updating existing ordinances to include protections against facilities supporting both offshore oil drilling and deep-sea mining. Your voice matters and representatives need to hear from you. Get info and sign up to keep informed HERE.

The UC Santa Cruz Arboretum & Botanic Garden relies on 100+ volunteers year-round to keep this place growing! By volunteering you become part of a community that directly supports the Arboretum’s overall mission to connect people with plants. No matter what group you work with, you will learn by working side by side with home gardeners, experienced and amateur naturalists, active and retired professionals as well as people who are just beginning to explore the world of plants. To become a volunteer at the Arboretum, prospective volunteers review available volunteer opportunities then fill out an online application form. More info HERE.