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

Special Event - Pride in Our Parks at Fort Ord Dunes State Park! - Saturday, June 20th

Pride in Our Parks 2026! Saturday, June 20, 2026. 9am-12pm. Fort Ord Dunes State Park. Learn More at calparks.org/volunteer. Celebrate Pride at Ford Ord Dunes! LGBTQIA+ individuals, families, and allies are invited to help restore native habitat and learn about dune ecology as we celebrate queer community.

3rd Saturday: FORT ORD DUNES STATE PARK | Saturday, June 20th | 9 AM — 12 PM w/ Salinas Valley Pride Celebrations, 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 queer community fun and volunteer work in the dunes with Salinas Valley Pride Celebrations! LGBTQ2IA+ individuals, families, friends, and allies are invited to help restore native habitat and learn about dune ecology. This year we'll be pulling invasive mustard in the northern part of the park. All ages welcome (minors must be accompanied by an adult).  Breakfast burritos and coffee provided! 

 

Special Event - San Jose Canyon Broom Bash - Monday, June 8th

San Jose Canyon Broom Bash Ishxenta State Park & Palo Corona Regional Park. We’re teaming up! Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District & California State Parks are joining forces to take on invasive French Broom on the border between Ishxenta State Park & Palo Corona Regional Park! Meet at Monastery Beach to catch the shuttle. We’ll hike 1.5 miles (one way) to the project site. Bring water, snacks, sun protection, sturdy shoes, & clothes for gardening. Tools and training provided! More information at www.parks.ca.gov/mdnrvp Please RSVP to: Volunteer.Monterey@parks.CA.gov.

2nd Monday: ISHXENTA STATE PARK | Monday, June 8th | 9 AM — 1 PM

We’re teaming up! Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District & California State Parks are joining forces to take on invasive French Broom on the border between Ishxenta State Park & Palo Corona Regional Park! Meet at Monastery Beach to catch the shuttle. We’ll hike 1.5 miles (one way) to the project site along a gentle trail through BEAUTIFUL San Jose Canyon. 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: Monastery Beach We will shuttle to the trailhead, so please arrive on time!

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 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, June 5th, 12th, 19th, & 26th:  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 Mondays: Ishxenta State Park

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

2nd Monday: ISHXENTA STATE PARK | Monday, 06/08/2025 | 9 AM — 1 PM

w/ Monterey Peninsula Regional Parks District & CA State Parks Natural Resources Team

We’re teaming up! Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District & California State Parks are joining forces to take on invasive French Broom on the border between Ishxenta State Park & Palo Corona Regional Park! Meet at Monastery Beach to catch the shuttle. We’ll hike 1.5 miles (one way) to the project site along a gentle trail through BEAUTIFUL San Jose Canyon. 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: Monastery Beach We will shuttle to the trailhead, so please arrive on time!

 

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 - June 11th, 9 AM — 12 PM

w/ State Parks Natural Resources Team

Project: Join us for a morning of volunteer work at Andrew Molera State Park! This month we'll be removing invasive spring weeds in East Molera!

Meeting location: Meet at the main parking lot for Andrew Molera. Check in with the kiosk upon arrival for free parking. 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, June 13th, 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 mustard, hemlock, and fennel along the lower bluffs trail.

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, June 3rd, 10th, 17th, & 24th 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 return to Whaler's Cove to remove invasive velvetgrass from Carmelo Meadow.

Note: Check out 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

3rd Saturday: FORT ORD DUNES STATE PARK | Saturday, June 20th | 9 AM — 12 PM w/ Salinas Valley Pride Celebrations, 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 queer community fun and volunteer work in the dunes with Salinas Valley Pride Celebrations! LGBTQ2IA+ individuals, families, friends, and allies are invited to help restore native habitat and learn about dune ecology. This year we'll be pulling invasive mustard in the northern part of the park. All ages welcome (minors must be accompanied by an adult).

Breakfast burritos and coffee provided! 

3rd Sundays: Ishxenta State Park

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

Sunday, June 21st, 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, and we'll shuttle to the site together.

*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.

Tuesday, June 23rd, 9 AM — 12 PM

w/ California State Parks Foundation & State Parks NR Team

Meeting location: Soberanes Trailhead (Gate 8)

Project: Join us for a morning along the beautiful Soberanes Bluffs! This month we'll be removing invasive Cape Ivy, Hemlock, and Wild Mustard 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)