MONTEREY DISTRICT NATURAL RESOURCES VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

ABOUT THE MONTEREY DISTRICT NATURAL RESOURCE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

The California State Parks Monterey District consists of 17 park units that stretch north to south along the Monterey Bay and Big Sur coast. Some of the District’s park units are Fort Ord Dunes State Park, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Garrapata State Park, Andrew Molera State Park, and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Altogether, the District manages approximately 16,000 acres of land to preserve natural resources and opportunities for outdoor recreation.

These parks are home to a variety of plants, animals, and plant communities, including multiple species of threatened, endangered, or rare plants and animals. These species include the Smith’s blue butterfly, California red-legged frog, and countless rare annual flowers such as Monterey spineflower, Sand gilia, Coast wallflower, and Yadon’s piperia. The Natural Resource Division protects these natural resources by restoring and conserving native plant communities threatened by competition from non-native, invasive plants and increased off-trail use.

The Natural Resource Volunteer Program leads on-going natural resource management projects across the District that include invasive plant control, revegetation, vegetation mapping, wildlife habitat restoration, sign and fence maintenance, and trail maintenance. It takes many hands to restore and protect natural resources in our State Parks and we cannot do it without the service and support from dedicated volunteers.

The Natural Resource Volunteer Program currently has regularly scheduled volunteer workdays at four different State Parks: Fort Ord Dunes State Park, Garrapata State Park, Carmel River State Beach, and Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. We can also schedule additional programs for school groups who would like to come for a class field trip or we can schedule a project for a group of friends, family, youth group, team, club, or non-profit.

SEPTEMBER WORK PROJECTS - NATURAL RESOURCES VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

We are happy to be able to host socially distant volunteer work days! CA State Parks is following current CDC guildelines regarding COVID 19 protocols for groups. We ask that all attendees please be mindful of keeping a 6ft distance between themselves and others and remember to wear a mask if you have not been vaccinated. If you have been exposed to COVID-19 or have had any flu-like symptoms over the last 14 days we ask that you please stay home. Remember to bring your own mask, water, sunscreen, and a mid-day snack when attending our programs. We are excited to get our hands dirty and enjoy safely working with our community of volunteers!

Come by yourself or with friends and family! Projects are limited to 25 volunteers per work day. To RSVP for State Parks Natural Resource projects email Rosalyn.Eisner@parks.ca.gov
Register for California State Parks foundation co-sponsored projects at https://www.calparks.org

NOTE: Poor air quality from wildfires, or inclement weather due to rain, will cancel work days. Social distancing protocols are required.

SEPTEMBER PROJECTS

CARMEL RIVER STATE BEACH | Saturday, 9/11/2021 | 10 AM — 1 PM
Led by State Parks Natural Resource Team & CA State Parks Foundation
Meeting location: The parking area located at the cross section of Ribera Rd. & Cuesta Way (at the end of Ribera Road above the Ribera stairs).
Project: We will be restoring native habitats by removing invasive plant species such as sweet alyssum, ice plant, mustard, cape ivy, and New Zealand spinach. We will also be replacing signage as needed.
Friendly Reminder: Restrooms are not easily accessible from this meeting location.
SPECIAL FORT ORD DUNES CLEAN UP DAY l Monday, 9/20/2021 l 9 AM - 12:30 PM
Help us restore native coastal habitat by removing remnants of homeless encampments.Led by State Parks Natural Resource Team
Meeting Location: Fort Ord Dunes State Park main parking lot.
NOTE: We will be driving to the work site, so please arrive on time or call if you will be running late.

FORT ORD DUNES STATE PARK | Saturday, 9/18/2021 | 10 AM — 1 PM
Led by State Parks Natural Resource Team & California State Parks Foundation
Meeting location: Fort Ord Dunes State Park main parking lot.
Project: We will be restoring native habitat areas by removing invasive species such as ice plant and mustard.
POINT LOBOS STATE NATURAL RESERVE | Wednesday, 9/15/2021 | 9 AM — 12 PM
Led by State Parks Natural Resource Team
Meeting location: Weston Beach Parking Lot*
Project: We will be removing various invasive species including ripgut brome, nonnative thistle species, velvet grass, and melilotus.
Special note: *Inform the kiosk staff that you are attending the volunteer work day for complimentary admission when you enter the park.
GARRAPATA STATE PARK | Tuesday, 9/28/2021 | 9 AM — 12 PM
Led by State Parks Natural Resource Team & California State Parks Foundation
Meeting location: Soberanes Point trailhead on the west side of Hwy 1, across from Soberanes Canyon trailhead (Gate 8).
Project: Restore native coastal scrub by removing sweet alyssum, cape ivy, wild mustard, and other invasive weeds around Soberanes Point. We will also be covering up social trails and picking up trash as needed.

Thank you to all the hardworking volunteers who join us each month. Together, we accomplish so much!

Follow us on Instagram @Monterey_natresource_volunteer