The annual Santa Cruz Recycles! Poster Contest is now open to K–12 students in the City of Santa Cruz. Students are invited to create original artwork around the theme Santa Cruz Recycles! Posters should highlight the importance of recycling in our community while showing students’ understanding of recycling, waste reduction and litter prevention. Winning artwork will be enlarged and displayed on the sides of City refuse and recycling trucks. Winners will also receive a prize pack and award certificate. Posters should be horizontal, feature original two-dimensional artwork and include drink bottles and aluminum cans as part of the design. Entries must be postmarked or delivered by OCTOBER 2. Info and application 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.

Each year Save Our Shores coordinates over 50 cleanup sites around the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, from the coast to our inland parks and waterways. Trash and pollution impacts the health of our marine, coastal, and terrestrial ecosystems. We hope you will join us as we come together as a community to make the Monterey Bay a healthier place for all! Volunteer registration is now open HERE!

Since 1986, volunteers for the SLV Annual River & Road Clean Up days have removed tons of trash and recycling from our rivers and roads throughout the San Lorenzo Valley. Four meeting place: Felton Covered Bridge, Highlands Park, Barbara Day Park in Boulder Creek, and Lompico Park. The VWC invites you to join in on the Annual SLV Annual River & Road Clean Up and help in the effort to nurture our mountain habitat! Info HERE.

Join us for a community beach cleanup focused on protecting our coast and raising awareness about litter and plastic pollution. Connect with other passionate volunteers who share your commitment to keeping our beaches clean and beautiful. Together, we can make a difference—one beach at a time—and build a stronger, cleaner future for our oceans and communities. More info HERE.

Bike Valet volunteering at our event involves: 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; Monitoring bikes during event; Any questions or concerns email :events@bikesantacruzcounty.org . Info and signup HERE.

Love native plants? Hate weeds? Join the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County for a Saturday on this vibrant preserve! We will be focusing on removing Dittrichia, common name Stinkwort, on the perimeter of sensitive areas at East Glenwood Open Space Preserve! Meet fellow plant enthusiast and spend some time outside. Registration is required. For more event details go HERE and sign-up today. See you there!

Come out and join us for the nation's largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands and a fee-free day on federal lands. To celebrate, we're hosting a morning of trail work followed by a guided hike and community celebration at one of the Central Coast's most spectacular landscapes: Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument. *We're also celebrating the 1st anniversary of Cotoni-Coast Dairies being open to the public! All participants receive a FREE 2026 NPLD t-shirt and FREE National Parks day pass! Info and signup 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.

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.

Hands Across the Sand is a coordinated statewide day of action opposing expanded offshore oil drilling and supporting a clean-energy future. The action is simple, visual, and accessible: participants gather at shoreline and waterfront locations, hear brief remarks, join hands, take a unified photo, and commit to continued action. We will meet at the beach, have brief comments from speakers at 1130 am, and then join hands at 1145 am. Twin Lakes Beach More 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.

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.