“It’s time to get your hands dirty at our 3rd Saturday of the month volunteer program in our native plant garden. Learn about local ecology, native plants, and sustainable gardening while coming together as a community 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. Every third Saturday at the SC Museum of Natural History.” RSVPs are required. Email volunteer@santacruzmuseum.org to express interest. More info HERE.

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.  Volunteer work days are on the third Saturday of each month. Pie Ranch, 2080 Green Oaks Way, Pescadero.” To RSVP go HERE  or email: aarganbright@amahmutsun.org

Every 3rd Sunday of the month (except December) the Advocates meet in the park for trailwork days. Brushing back & spiffing up popular trails. Cleaning out culverts to prepare for winter rains. Possibly Remove invasive species, especially English Ivy. No experience necessary. Coffee, pastries, fruit and tools provided.   Meet at Entrance Kiosk. Sign up HERE.

Come join your local community in coastal restoration at Seabright Beach. Help make our coast a better place and learn about coastal ecology. Click HERE for project background. Activities include clearing invasive plants and planting natives. Seabright Beach. Info HERE.

Every 4th Saturday of the month community members gather to help restore wetland and upland habitat. The volunteer work includes planting native plants, removing exotic invasive plants, or helping in our native plant greenhouse. We always make time for bird watching or a short hike around the wetlands. In addition, during the school year our high school interns will bring educational activities to the events. Students and community members can receive credit for community service hours. We supply gloves, tools, and a snack. Some of the events are on the trails in the City of Watsonville and others are in other locations in the Pajaro Valley. Check our social media and events calendar on our website for information on where to meet each month. Contact cara@watsonvillewetlandswatch.org to get started!

Maintain the Native Plant Demonstration Garden at the Wetlands Educational Resource Center which includes weeding, planting, pruning. Observe plants in their habitat and record findings as a group. Keep plant ID markers current and visible. Tools and Gloves provided. Bring kneeling pad if desired. Info HERE

Join us at the Highlands Park Community Center, a unique location nestled close to the San Lorenzo River and surrounded by diverse ecosystems of mixed evergreen forest, redwoods, and Oak woodland. We will be developing the evolving Native Plant Demonstration Gardens surrounding the Center. This is a hands-on opportunity to learn about native plants and approaches to native habitat restoration. Bring your questions, gloves, pruners, and a water bottle. We will supply the answers and tools. INFO.