Upcoming Volunteer Events
Monterey District Natural Resources Volunteer Program
Join us at an upcoming public volunteer day!
This page is updated near the end of each month.
Monthly Public Volunteer Days
We are happy to host a series of public volunteer work days every month. Come by yourself or with friends and family! Children under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
To RSVP for State Parks Natural Resources projects email: Volunteer.Monterey@parks.ca.gov
To register for the California State Parks Foundation co-sponsored projects visit: www.calparks.org/volunteer
NOTE: Poor air quality from wildfires, or inclement weather due to rain or high winds, will cancel work days. Check here for updates and cancelations.
Every Friday: Asilomar State Beach
.JPG "A volunteer poses with a pile of invasive plants in the dunes of Asilomar State Beach.")
Friday, July 12th, 19th, & 26th: 9 AM — 12 PM
w/ Asilomar SB Natural Resources Team
Meeting location: The meeting location varies each week. Contact kylie.koestner@parks.ca.gov for more information.
Project: This is a WEEKLY program where we work in the greenhouse, collect seed, plant native plants, remove invasive plants, and more! Project and meeting location will vary week by week.
Note: No volunteer event on Friday, July 5th! Enjoy the holiday weekend!
2nd Mondays: Ishxenta State Park
.jpg "Volunteers pose triumphantly in the pine forest of Ishxenta State Park.")
Monday, July 8th, 9 AM — 12 PM
w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team
Be part of one of our longest running volunteer projects! Join us at Ishxenta State Park for a morning of pulling invasive French Broom from the beautiful Monterey Pine Forest. Volunteers must be comfortable walking and working in difficult terrain, off-trail, and in areas with poison oak, steep slopes, and ticks.
RSVP to Volunteer.Monterey@parks.ca.gov.
Meeting Location: Meet at this pullout along HWY 1 to catch the shuttle to the project location. Look for the State Parks van 0.5 miles north of the Point Lobos entrance gate.
*Friendly reminder*: Restrooms are not easily accessible from this meeting location.
2nd Thursdays: Pfeiffer Big Sur or Andrew Molera State Park
Thursday, July 11th, 9 AM — 12 PM
w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team
Meeting location: Main Parking Lot at Andrew Molera SP
Project: Big Sur Volunteer Days are back! Join us for a morning of weeding invasive mustard, radish, and hemlock in Creamery Meadow at beautiful Andrew Molera State Park.
2nd Saturday: Carmel River State Beach
Saturday, July 13th, 9 AM — 12 PM
w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team
Meeting location: Ribera Road Beach Trailhead in the Carmel Meadows Neighborhood
Project: This month we'll continue to take on invasive mustard at Middle Beach.
Note: restrooms are not easily accessed from this site.
3rd Wednesdays: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Wednesday, July 17th, 9 AM — 12 PM
w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team
Meeting location: Whaler's Cove Parking Lot
Project: Join the Native Plant Patrol! This month, we’ll return to Carmelo Meadow to tackle invasive velvet grass.
3rd Saturdays: Fort Ord Dunes State Park
Saturday, July 20th, 9 AM — 12 PM
w/ CA State Parks Foundation & State Parks NR Team
Meeting location: Fort Ord Dunes State Park main parking lot (end of 8th Street in Marina)
Project: Join us for a morning of removing invasive wild mustard from the dunes at historic Fort Ord Dunes State Park! This work helps improve habitat for the endangered Smith's Blue Butterfly and a whole host of other dune residents.
Please register online at: calparks.org/volunteer.
3rd Sundays: Ishxenta State Park
.jpg "Volunteers pose in the pine forest after a morning removing invasive French Broom at Ishxenta State Park.")
Sunday, July 21st, 9 AM — 12 PM
w/ CNPS Monterey Bay & CA State Parks
Project: Be part of one of our longest running volunteer projects! Join the Monterey Bay Chapter of the Califronia Native Plant Society at Ishxenta State Park for a morning of pulling invasive French Broom from the beautiful Monterey Pine Forest. Volunteers must be comfortable walking and working in difficult terrain, off-trail, and in areas with poison oak, steep slopes, and ticks.
Meeting Location: Meet at this pullout along HWY 1, 0.25 miles south of the main entrance to Point Lobos SNR.
RSVP to montereycnpsstewardship@gmail.com
*Friendly reminder*: Restrooms are not easily accessible from this meeting location.
4th Tuesdays: Garrapata State Park
Tuesday, July 23rd, 9 AM — 12 PM
w/ California State Parks Foundation & State Parks NR Team
Meeting location: Gate 8 (Soberanes Point Trailhead)
Project: Join us for a volunteer morning on the beautiful Garrapata Bluffs! This month we'll be focusing on removing invasive cape ivy and mustard from the coastal scrub.
Please register online at: calparks.org/volunteer
Frequently Asked Questions:
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What should I bring?
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Please bring water, sunscreen, snacks, hat, work gloves, closed-toe shoes, long pants
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Gloves, tools, and training provided!
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Do I need to RSVP?
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Letting us know you are planning to attend a volunteer day helps us with planning, but it is not required. For California State Parks Foundation Co-Sponsored events (Garrapata SP and Fort Ord Dunes SP), you can pre-register here.
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How do I find you?
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Check the "Meeting Location" section of each event posted above for a Google Maps link to this month's meeting location. We try to meet in the same place each month to make it easy!
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Are children allowed?
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Children are allowed with parent/guardian permission and a supervising adult on site. You know your child, so please use your best judgement!
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Can I bring my dog?
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We kindly request that you leave pets and animals at home.
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What other volunteer opportunities are available in the Monterey District?
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Visit our Monterey District Volunteer Hub! (Coming soon)
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