Upcoming Volunteer Events

Upcoming Natural Resources Volunteer Events

Volunteers pose in front of the bluffs at Garrapata State Park.

Join us at an upcoming public volunteer day!

Details for this month's projects are below.

This page is updated near the end of each month. 

For a list of upcoming volunteer dates, check out our Volunteer Event Calendar.

Sign up for our monthly volunteer newsletter to see program highlights and learn about upcoming events!

 

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!

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

A volunteer poses with a pile of invasive plants in the dunes of Asilomar State Beach.

Friday, December 5th, 12th, & 19th:  9 AM — 12 PM

NO EVENTS DECEMBER 26TH OR JANUARY 2ND

w/ Asilomar SB Natural Resources Team

Meeting location: The meeting location varies each week. Contact Joseph.Leliaert@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.

 

3rd Wednesdays: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Volunteers pose after a morning of remove invasive grasses from the Cypress Grove at Point Lobos SNR.

RESCHEDULED: Wednesday, December 3rd & 10th, 9 AM — 12 PM

w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team

Please note that our regular 3rd Wednesday event has been resheduled for the 1st Wednesday (12/3).

Meeting location: Cypress Information Station, Point Lobos SNR

Project: Join the Native Plant Patrol! This month, we’ll head out to the Cypress Grove to work on removing invasive Veldtgrass.

Note: Check our volunteer calendar for additional Native Plant Patrol volunteer days! Please check in with the front kiosk upon arrival.

 

3rd Saturdays: Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Volunteers pose after a morning of removing invasive mustard from the dunes at Fort Ord Dunes State Park

 

RESCHEDULED: Saturday, December 6th, 9 AM — 12 PM

w/  CA State Parks Foundation & State Parks NR Team

Please note that our regular 3rd Saturday has been resheduled to the 1st Saturday (12/6).

Meeting location: Fort Ord Dunes State Park main parking lot (end of 8th Street in Marina)

Project: Retore the historic Fort Ord Dunes! This month we’ll be planting native plants at our Campground restoration area! This work helps improve habitat for the endangered Smith’s Blue Butterfly along with a host of other dune species.

Please RSVP online at: calparks.org/volunteer.

 

2nd Mondays: Ishxenta State Park

Volunteers pose triumphantly in the pine forest of Ishxenta State Park.

2nd Monday: ISHXENTA STATE PARK | Monday, 12/08/2025 | 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.

Meeting location: Large pullout on west side of HWY 1, about 0.25 miles north of the Point Lobos entrance.

Note: restrooms are not easily accessible from this site

 

2nd Thursdays: Pfeiffer Big Sur or Andrew Molera State Park

Volunteers and State Parks staff work together to remove invasive plants at Andrew Molera State Park

PFEIFFER BIG SUR STATE PARK - December 11th, 9 AM — 12 PM

w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team

Project: Join us for a morning of volunteer work at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park! Projects vary seasonally.

Meeting location: Meet at the Day Use Area #1 at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Check in with the kiosk upon arrival. We'll shuttle to the site together from there.

 

 

2nd Saturday: Carmel River State Beach

Volunteers pose with a pile of invasive mustard on the bluffs of Carmel River State Beach.

Saturday, December 13th, 9 AM — 12 PM

w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team

Meeting location: Corner of Ribera Rd. and Cuesta Way in the Carmel Meadows neighborhood.

Project: Join us for a volunteer day along the beautiful Ribera Bluffs! We'll prep some of our sites for spring planting by removing invasive weeds and hauling out old ice plant piles.

Note: restrooms are not easily accessed from this site.

 

3rd Sundays: Ishxenta State Park

Volunteers pose in the pine forest after a morning removing invasive French Broom at Ishxenta State Park.

See you in 2026!

Sunday, January 18th, 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.

*Friendly reminder*: Restrooms are not easily accessible from this meeting location.

------------------- > Please RSVP to Volunteer.Monterey@parks.ca.gov !

 

4th Tuesdays: Garrapata State Park

Volunteers pose after a morning of ice plant removal on the Garrapata State Park bluffs.

See you in 2026!

Tuesday, January 27th, 9 AM — 12 PM

w/ California State Parks Foundation & State Parks NR Team

Meeting location: Soberanes Canyon Trailhead (Gate 8)

Project: Join us for a morning along the beautiful Garrapata Bluffs! This month we'll be planting native plants and removing invasive Cape Ivy to improve habitat for the endangered Smith's Blue Butterfly! Please RSVP online at: calparks.org/volunteer

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • What should I bring?

    • Please bring water, sunscreen, snacks, hat, work gloves, closed-toe shoes, long pants

    • Gloves, tools, and training provided!

  • Do I need to RSVP?

  • How do I find you?

    • 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!

  • Are children allowed?

    • Children are allowed with parent/guardian permission and a supervising adult on site. You know your child, so please use your best judgement! 

  • Can I bring my dog?

    • We kindly request that you leave pets and animals at home.

  • What other volunteer opportunities are available in the Monterey District?

    • Visit our Monterey District Volunteer Hub! (Coming soon)