Monterey District Natural Resources Volunteer Program

MONTEREY DISTRICT NATURAL RESOURCES MONTHLY VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

ABOUT THE MONTEREY DISTRICT NATURAL RESOURCE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM 

nat res volunteer

We are happy to be able to host socially distant volunteer work days every month! Come by yourself or with friends and family! Every month we hold four natural resource volunteer event days in our lovely Monterey State Parks.

California State Parks is following current CDC guidlines regarding COVID 19 protocols for groups. We ask that all attendees please be mindful of keeping a 6-ft. distance between themselves and others. Wearing a mask is necessary 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. At each work day, remember to bring your own mask, water, sunscreen, and a midday snack when attending out programs. We are excited to get our hands dirty and enjoy safely working with our community of volunteers!!

To RSVP for State Parks Natural Resources projects email: Samuel.Winter@parks.ca.gov

To register for the California State Parks Foundation co-sponsored projects visit: https://www.calparks.org

NOTE: Poor air quality from wildfires, or inclement weather due to rain or high winds, will cancel work days. Social distancing protocols are required.
BE SURE TO RSVP AND EMAIL WITH QUESTIONS!

 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.


Upcoming Special Events

The Natural Resources Volunteer Program frequently holds special events in addition to our regularly scheduled volunteer projects. Check back here for the latest information! 

 
LGBTQIA+ Volunteer Day at Fort Ord Dunes State Park | Saturday, 6/17/2023 | 9 AM — 12 PM w/ Salinas Valley Pride Celebrations, CA State Parks Foundation, & State Parks Natural Resources Team 
 
Join Salinas Valley Pride Celebrations, the CA State Parks Foundation, and the Natural Resources Volunteer Program for a very special LGBTQ+ Volunteer Day at Fort Ord Dunes State Park! We need your help to remove invasive wild mustard from the fragile and dynamic dunes. Coffee and breakfast burritos provided by SVPC!
 
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Who: You! LGBTQ+ folx and allies. All ages and abilities welcome!
When: Saturday, June 17th 9am-12pm
Where: Fort Ord Dunes State Park main parking lot (end of 8th / 9th street in Marina)
What to Bring: Water, snacks, closed-toe shoes, and sun protection. Tools, training, and gloves provided!
 
Note: There's a short drive/bike to the project site from the parking lot, so please arrive on time (or let us know if you might be late) to avoid getting lost!
 
Salinas Valley Pride Celebrations LogoCA State Parks Pride logoCalifornia State Parks Foundation Logo
 
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Celebrate California State Parks Week June 14-18, 2023. For a full list of events, visit the CA State Parks Week website.

WEEKLY & MONTHLY WORK PROJECTS - NATURAL RESOURCES VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

We are happy to be able to host socially distant volunteer work days every month! Come by yourself or with friends and family! Every month we hold four natural resource volunteer event days in our lovely Monterey State Parks.

RSVP for State Parks Natural Resource projects email: Samuel.Winter@parks.ca.gov

Register for California State Parks Foundation co-sponsored projects at: www.calparks.org/volunteer

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

BE SURE TO RSVP AND EMAIL WITH QUESTIONS!

MONTHLY VOLUNTEER PROJECTS:

  • Every Friday: ASILOMAR STATE BEACH | Friday, June 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, & 30th| 9 AM — 12 PM w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team
    Meeting location: Location varies. Contact Rosie.Eisner@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.
  • 2nd Monday: Broom Bash - ISHXENTA STATE PARK | Monday, 6/12/2023 | 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 Samuel.Winter@parks.ca.gov. Meet at this pullout along HWY 1 to catch the shuttle to the project location.
  • 2nd Thursday: PFEIFFER BIG SUR AND ANDREW MOLERA STATE PARKS | Thursday, 6/15/2023 | 9 AM — 12 PM w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team
    Meeting location: Meet at the Andrew Molera State Park main parking lot to shuttle to the work site.
    Project:  Join us for a morning of removing invasive hemlock and thistles from our 86-acre prescribed burn plot overlooking the beautiful Big Sur coast. Learn about prescribed fire as a grassland management tool and see fire ecology in action! Please meet at the Andrew Molera Parking Lot at 8:45am
  • 3rd Wednesday: POINT LOBOS STATE NATURAL RESERVE | Wednesday, 6/21/2023 | 9 AM — 12 PM w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team
    Meeting location: Whaler's Cove
    Project: This month we’ll be heading out to Granite Point and Hudson Meadow to tackle invasive grasses and wild mustard from the northern edge of the Reserve.
  • 4th Tuesday: GARRAPATA STATE PARK | Tuesday, 6/27/2023 | 9 AM — 12 PM w/ CA State Parks Foundation & State Parks Natural Resources Team 
    Meeting location: Soberanes Canyon Trailhead (Gate 8)
    Project: Volunteer with a view! Join us as we tackle invasive weeds along the scenic Garrapata bluffs.

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

Follow us on Instagram: @Monterey_natresource_volunteer

 

Snowy Plover Guardian Program

The Snowy Plover Guargian Program Logo. An adult plover and a plover chick pose in front of a yellow circle.

California State Parks and the Monterey Audubon Society are excited to announce the return of our Plover Guardian Program!

The goal of program is to encourage public stewardship of coastal ecosystems and to promote responsible recreation practices that protect native species, especially the Western Snowy Plover, a Federally Threatened shore bird that nests and overwinters on our beaches. Join our team of beach-roaming Plover Guardians and make a difference for this special habitat. 

To learn more about the Western Snowy Plover and the Plover Guardian Program or to watch a recording of the 2023 Virtual Kickoff Meeting, visit the Monterey Audubon Website.

For more information, please contact us at: Volunteer.Monterey@CA.Parks.gov

Become a Snowy Plover Guardian for the Nesting Season (Mar - Sept), the Overwintering Season (Oct - Feb), or both! Nesting Season: Virtual Kickoff Meeting: March 22. In-Person Beach Training: Attend either March 19 or March 24. Plover Scientist Shadowing: March and April. Mid-Season Birding Trip with Monterey Audubon: Date TBD. End of Season Wrap-Up: September. Overwintering Season activities include: Virtual training, in-person training, and more! Dates for overwintering training are TBD.