Upcoming Volunteer Events

Upcoming Natural Resources Volunteer Events

Join us at an upcoming public volunteer day!

This page is updated near the end of each month.

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

Friday March 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th: 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.

2nd Saturday: Carmel River State Beach

Saturday, March 8th, 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 watering and weeding at our lower bluffs restoration plot!

Note: restrooms are not easily accessed from this site.

2nd Mondays: Ishxenta State Park

Monday, March 10th, 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 that may contain poison oak, 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

RESCHEDULED! March 20th, 9 AM — 12 PM

w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team

Project: Big Sur Volunteer Days are back! Join us for a morning of planting and weeding near the Big Sur Lodge at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

Meeting Location: Meet at Day Use Area #1 at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and walk to site. Talk to the kiosk for free entry!

3rd Saturdays: Fort Ord Dunes State Park

Saturday, March 15th, 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: Time to plant! Join us for a volunteer planting and weeding day in the dunes. Our 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

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

Sunday, March 16th, 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.

3rd Wednesdays: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Wednesday, March 19th, 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 head to the old Kodani Village site to remove invasive veldtgrass and sweet alyssum. Check in with the front entrance for free admission.

Note: Check our volunteer calendar for additional Native Plant Patrol volunteer days!

4th Tuesdays: Garrapata State Park

Tuesday, March 25th, 9 AM — 12 PM

w/ California State Parks Foundation & State Parks NR Team

Meeting location: Soberanes Point Trailhead (Gate 8)

Project: Join us for a volunteer morning at beautiful Soberanes Point! This month we'll be weeding a suite of different spring invasive plants from the bluffs.

Please register 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?
- 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.

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)