SC Mountains Trail Stewardship: Stewardship Days at Cotoni-Coast Dairies, Nov 30, 9 AM - 2 PM
All ages are welcome. Difficulty: Easy to moderate. It's okay if you've never done trail work before. We love accommodating new and returning volunteers—all experience levels are welcome at SCMTS events. We will be brushing and restoring existing trail features. Main Parking Lot, 1 N Cement Plant Rd, Davenport. Signup HERE.
Watsonville Wetlands Watch: Garden Gurus, Dec 5, 10 – 11 am (And every Friday)
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
Lighthouse Field State Park: Volunteer Day, Dec 6, 9 am – 1 pm
Support habitat restoration of popular day use areas and trails by planting native species and removing non-native vegetation. Target non-native species are Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) and Ice plant (Carpobrotus edulis). Ages 8 and older welcome (minors must be accompanied by an adult and bring a signed waiver). Full opportunity address and directions will be sent to you by e-mail after you sign up. Info and signup HERE.
CA Native Plant Society: Quail Hollow Ranch County Park, Dec 6, 10 am - 1 pm
We are a volunteer group working to restore native habitat in the parks and protected lands in Santa Cruz County. Our program provides an opportunity for people to learn about the natural systems that surround them while helping to restore special and wild places. We work rain or shine, but if things get particularly unpleasant, we call it a day. Tools provided; bring gloves. Meet in the gravel parking lot on the left side of the entrance road. Program Leader, Linda Brodman 831.334.3858, redwdrn@pacbell.net LINK.
Surfrider: Rio Del Mar Beach Cleanup, Dec 7, 9 - 11 am
Roll up your sleeves and start your weekend with purpose! Join Surfrider for a community beach cleanup at Rio Del Mar – a beautiful spot that needs our collective care. Together, we’ll remove trash and marine debris before it washes into Monterey Bay. All ages welcome and all supplies provided. Just bring your reusable mug, sunscreen, and good vibes! Meet at 110 Aptos Beach Dr. Sign up HERE.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park: Fence repair, Dec 7, 9 am - 1 pm
Help with ongoing fence repairs at the park! Volunteers will help with tasks like carrying fencing materials to work sites, digging holes, honing posts before installation, and constructing fencing using wires and staples. This project helps keep the park’s day-use areas and trails safe for visitors. Free tent camping is provided on Friday and Saturday nights for registered volunteers. Please note camping is subject to cancellation due to weather, holidays, or at the parks’ discretion. Directions sent to you after you sign up HERE.
Save Our Shores: Corcoran Lagoon Beach Cleanup, Dec 13, 9 - 11 am
All cleanup materials are provided, including buckets, grabbers, and gloves. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring their own. There are no restrooms or drinking fountains on site and parking is limited. Please meet us at the end of 20th Ave at the top of the stairs that lead to the beach. Registration required HERE.
Advocates For Nicene Marks: Native Forest Restoration Day! Dec 14, 9:30 AM - 1 PM
Join our very first Native Forest Restoration Day! Our mission is to return The Forest towards its original state. Primarily this means finding and removing invasive species. The easiest to find is English ivy! This is where our initial efforts will be focused. Meet at entrance kiosk. Sign up HERE.
S C Museum Of Natural History: Saturdays In The Soil, Dec 20, 10 am – 12 noon
“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.
Watsonville Wetlands Watch: 4th Saturday Habitat Restoration, Dec 28, 9 am – Noon
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!
Native Habitat Restoration: Hands-On Habitat Restoration at Highlands Park, Jan 17, 10 am – Noon
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.
Amah Mutsun Tribal Band: Volunteer at the Native Garden at Pie Ranch, Jan 17, 2 – 5 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. 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
Advocates for Nicene Marks State Park: Trailwork Days, Jan 18, 9:30 am – 1 pm
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.