Volunteering At Año Nuevo State Park

A true jewel of the California coastline and home to a large Elephant Seal rookery, Año Nuevo State Park offers an uncommon and remarkable wildlife experience.  Every winter, over 5,000 Elephant seals, the largest marine mammals to come ashore, find their way to the park to give birth and mate along the shoreline. During this time, our docents lead guided walks through the rookery, sharing this amazing experience with over 50,000 visitors from all over the world.  Throughout the rest of the year, the elephant seals return to shore for molting; during April – November, docents “rove” the wildlife area, meeting visitors and answering questions about the seals, the history of the area, and the plentiful wildlife found within the park. 

Our ten-week training program (on Wed evenings and/or Sat mornings) is one of the most comprehensive within the California State Parks system.  We pull in resident experts to teach classes on a variety of subjects including marine mammals, the natural and cultural history of Año Nuevo, Ohlone Indians, birds and terrestrial animals, geology, and more. Throughout the year, we also provide enrichment events such as research lectures, visits to other parks, and special subject-matter hikes within the park. We are proud to have a 200-person strong docent corps, many of whom have been a part of the program for over 10 years. Join our family of naturalists and enjoy the many benefits of being a volunteer at Año Nuevo State Park. Training begins in September.

Año Nuevo State Park is located on State Route 1, approximately 40 minutes south of Half Moon Bay and 30 miles north of Santa Cruz. 

For more information or to request an application please contact the docent coordinator at 650-879-2032 or email anovolcoordinator@parks.ca.gov

Año Nuevo Volunteers Recruitng Flyer