Wildfire Resilience
At China Camp State Park, volunteers will continue the important work of removing French broom and Scotch broom — highly invasive shrubs that threaten the park’s ecosystem. These aggressive plants are found throughout the park and require ongoing management to control their spread. Broom species outcompete native plants, reduce biodiversity, and increase wildfire risk due to their high flammability. These plants also alter soil chemistry, making it harder for native species to regenerate and thrive. Last year, efforts focused on Back Ranch Meadows, but this year, we’re shifting to a new site near Rat Rock Cove. While maintaining past project sites remains important, expanding to new locations helps prevent these invasives from establishing in other areas, ensuring a healthier ecosystem throughout the entire park.
Restoring Native Habitats
Several events will focus on restoring native habitats and promoting biodiversity. At Half Moon Bay State Beach, our Earth Day project is part of an ongoing cycle of restoration work aimed at enhancing the area's resilience to sea-level rise and improving local habitats. Volunteers will help lay sheet-mulch to prepare areas for future planting and suppress invasive species from establishing and competing with the native plants. At Candlestick Point State Recreation Area, we are shifting our focus from previous events held in the main part of the park to the Last Port area. In this part of the park, . The native landscaping planted over 20 years ago has been overtaken by invasive species. Volunteers will help restore the area by clearing invasive plants, such as fennel, to allow the now mature native shrubs, trees, and herbaceous plants to thrive. Their efforts will not only enhance the natural beauty of the site but also provide park interpreters with a more diverse array of native species to showcase to visitors.
Last year, volunteers at Los Angeles State Historic Park planted native species to support pollinators like monarch butterflies and bees. This April, we’re inviting the public to learn about these efforts in a workshop with local experts, followed by a hands-on activity where volunteers will identify and mark native pollinator plants. These efforts will help raise awareness of local biodiversity to park visitors and highlight the impact of ongoing restoration.
Trail Maintenance
Crystal Cove State Park plans to restore Moro Overlook, a scenic spot with breathtaking views of the backcountry and coastline. Currently, it is overgrown with vegetation, lacks shade, and has been damaged by erosion caused by frequent off-trail use. When visitors stray from designated paths, they trample vegetation and compact the soil, reducing its ability to absorb water and making the area more vulnerable to erosion during winter storms. To make the overlook more accessible and enjoyable, volunteers will install directional signage and fencing to clearly mark the hiking trails, clear overgrown brush from the picnic area, and spread mulch for weed control. These improvements will help protect the landscape from further erosion and habitat damage while creating a more welcoming space for visitors. After volunteers complete this work, the park plans to install a shade structure and new picnic tables. With these new upgrades, staff will be able to use the area for educational programs such as school field trips and summer activities.