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, October 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, & 31st: 9 AM — 12 PM

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.

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

ANDREW MOLERA STATE PARK - October 9th, 9 AM — 12 PM

w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team

Project: Join us for a morning of removing invasive weeds along the Big Sur River in Andrew Molera State Park! Projects vary seasonally.

Meeting location: Meet at the Creamery Meadow Parking Lot at Andrew Molera State Park. We'll shuttle to the work site from there.

2nd Saturday: Carmel River State Beach

Saturday, October 11th, 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 fall planting by removing invasive weeds and hauling out old ice plant piles.

Note: restrooms are not easily accessed from this site.

2nd Mondays: Ishxenta State Park

Canceled due to weather! See you next time!

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

3rd Wednesdays: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Wednesday, October 15th, 9 AM — 12 PM

w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team

Meeting location: Cypress Information Station

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

Saturday, October 18th, 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: Retore the historic Fort Ord Dunes! This month we’ll be removing invasive ice plant and other weeds. 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.

3rd Sundays: Ishxenta State Park

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

Sunday, October 19th, 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

Tuesday, October 28th, 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 th beautiful Garrapata Bluffs! This month we'll be removing invasive Cape Ivy and Ice Plant to support 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?
- 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)