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!

This page is updated near the end of each month.

Sign up for our monthly volunteer newsletter to see program highlights and stay up to date on upcoming events!

 

Upcoming Special Events

EXTRA Point Lobos Volunteer Day!

Wednesday, August 6th, 9 AM — 12 PM

w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team

Meeting location: Whaler's Cove Parking Lot. Please check in with the kiosk upon arrival.

Project: Join the Native Plant Patrol for our final pass at velvet grass in Carmelo Meadow!

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

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, August 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, & 29th:  9 AM — 12 PM

w/ Asilomar SB Natural Resources Team

Meeting location: The meeting location varies each week. Contact phoenix.judd@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

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

Saturday, August 9th, 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: This month we'll head back to Ribera Beach to take on invasive mustard, radish, and other weeds along the lower bluffs.

Note: restrooms are not easily accessed from this site.

 

2nd Mondays: Ishxenta State Park

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

Monday, August 11th, 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

ANDREW MOLERA STATE PARK - August 14th, 9 AM — 12 PM

w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team

Meeting location: Meet at the main Andrew Molera parking lot and walk to the site together. Please check in with the front kiosk upon arrival.

Project: Big Sur Volunteer Days are back! Join us at Andrew Molera State Park for a morning of weeding invasive mustard, hemlock and other weeds across the Big Sur River near Creamery Meadow.

 

 

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

 

Saturday, August 16th, 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 return to our bunker restoration plot to remove 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, August 17th, 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

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

Wednesday, August 20th, 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!

 

4th Tuesdays: Garrapata State Park

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

Tuesday, August 26th, 9 AM — 12 PM

w/ California State Parks Foundation & State Parks NR Team

Meeting location: Garrapata Beach Trailhead (Gate 19)

Project: Join us for a morning at beautiful Garrapata Beach! This month we'll return to the southern end of the park to take on invasive radish, mustard, and cape ivy along the bluffs.

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)