Upcoming Volunteer Events
Upcoming Natural Resources Volunteer Events
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!
Contact Volunteer.Monterey@parks.ca.gov for more info
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 heavy rain or high winds, will cancel work days. Check here for updates and cancelations.
Every Friday: Asilomar State Beach
.JPG "A volunteer poses with a pile of invasive plants in the dunes of Asilomar State Beach.")
Friday, September 4th, 11th, 18th, & 25th: 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
CANCELED DUE TO TIMBER FIRE!
w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team
Project: Join us for a morning of volunteer work at Andrew Molera State Park!
Meeting location: Meet at the main parking lot for Andrew Molera. Check in with the kiosk upon arrival for free parking. We'll walk to the site together from there.
2nd Saturday: Carmel River State Beach
Saturday, September 12th, 9 AM — 12 PM
w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team
Meeting location: Corner of Ribera Road and Cuesta Way in the Carmel Meadows neighborhood.
Project: Join us for a volunteer day at Carmel River State Beach! We’ll focus on removing invasive ice plant and mustard along the lower bluffs trail.
2nd Mondays: Ishxenta State Park
.jpg "Volunteers pose triumphantly in the pine forest of Ishxenta State Park.")
2nd Monday: ISHXENTA STATE PARK | Monday, 09/14/2025 | 9 AM — 1 PM
w/ CA 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. Bring water, snacks, sun protection, sturdy shoes, gloves, & clothes for working outdoors or gardening. Tools, extra gloves, and training provided!
Please RSVP to: Volunteer.Monterey@parks.CA.gov
Meeting Location: The south end of the big Hwy 1 pullout, just north of the Point Lobos Entrance. Please arrive on time! We'll shuttle to the work site together.
*Friendly reminder*: Restrooms are not easily accessible from this meeting location!
3rd Wednesdays: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
Wednesday, September 9th, 9 AM — 12 PM - California Biodiversity Day BioBlitz!
w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team
Meeting location: Piney Woods Parking Lot
Project: Join park staff and docents for a BioBlitz at Point Lobos SNR! To celebrate California Biodiversity Day, we'll be counting species as we walk the trails of iconic Point Lobos SNR. Support community science! We'll split into small groups and each cover a different part of the reserve. As we walk the trails, we'll identify and log the different species that we see. Learn how to use the "iNaturalist" app on your smartphone to identify species and record biodiversity. Parks staff will teach you everything you need to know about using iNaturalist and participating in a BioBlitz. Please download the app ahead of time, as cellular reception is limited and wi-fi will not be available. Walks will be about 2.5 hours long at a leisurely pace with plenty of stops along the way. Each group will be guided by Parks Staff and/or a Volunteer Docent. Mileage and routes will vary.
Wednesday, September 16th, 9 AM — 12 PM
w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team
Meeting location: Cypress Information Station Parking Lot
Project: Join the Native Plant Patrol! This month, we’ll return to the Cypress Grove to remove invasive panic veldtgrass from the Cypress Grove.
Note: Check out our volunteer calendar for additional Native Plant Patrol volunteer days (9/9, 9/16, 9/23)! Please check in with the front kiosk upon arrival for the meeting location.
3rd Saturdays: Fort Ord Dunes State Park
3rd Saturday: FORT ORD DUNES STATE PARK | Saturday, August 19th | 9 AM — 12 PM w/ CA State Parks Foundation, & CA State Parks
Meeting location: Fort Ord Dunes State Park main parking lot (end of 8th Street in Marina)
Project: Join us for a morning of volunteer work in the beautiful and historic Fort Ord Dunes! This month we'll focus on removing invasice ice plant from the dunes. This work helps improve habitat for the endangered Smith's Blue Butterfly and a host of other dune species.
3rd Sundays: Ishxenta State Park
.jpg "Volunteers pose in the pine forest after a morning removing invasive French Broom at Ishxenta State Park.")
3rd Sunday: ISHXENTA STATE PARK | Sunday, 09/20/2025 | 9 AM — 1 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, and we'll shuttle to the site together.
*Friendly reminder*: Restrooms are not easily accessible from this meeting location.
------------------- > Please RSVP to jp_hubbard@hotmail.com !
4th Tuesdays: Garrapata State Park
Tuesday, September 22nd, 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 along the beautiful Garrapata Bluffs! This month we'll be removing invasive ice plant and cape ivy to improve habitat for the endangered Smith's Blue Butterfly.
Please RSVP online at: calparks.org/volunteer
Frequently Asked Questions:
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What should I bring?
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Please bring water, sunscreen, snacks, hat, work gloves, closed-toe shoes, long pants
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Gloves, tools, and training provided!
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Do I need to RSVP?
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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.
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How do I find you?
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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!
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Are children allowed?
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Children are allowed with parent/guardian permission and a supervising adult on site. You know your child, so please use your best judgement!
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Can I bring my dog?
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We kindly request that you leave pets and animals at home.
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What other volunteer opportunities are available in the Monterey District?
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Visit our Monterey District Volunteer Hub! (Coming soon)
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