In May, 128 volunteers made a significant impact in California’s state parks. Through their collective efforts, these passionate individuals contributed 340 hours of service protecting native wildlife and nature, honoring historical sites, and enhancing park experiences for all park lovers. We are grateful to our volunteers for their unwavering commitment to our state parks!
May Workday Impacts:
“It was a great day for me! I have the satisfaction of doing volunteer work and learning about the park itself was awesome. I definitely want to bring my family back to check it out.” - Volunteer, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Protecting wildlife and nature at Garrapata State Park
12 volunteers joined our Garrapata State Park workday on Tuesday, May 24. Volunteers removed 1,000 square feet of invasive species such as wild mustard plants along the coastal bluffs and watered recently planted native flora. This workday allows Garrapata’s diverse native plant communities like seacliff buckwheat and California sagebrush to thrive without the persistent threat of non-native species. Seacliff buckwheat is especially important as it provides habitat to the endangered Smith’s blue butterfly. This tiny butterfly is only found in central California’s coastal sand dunes and grasslands. It is completely dependent on two native plants, seacliff buckwheat and coast buckwheat, and spends its whole life within a few hundred yards of these plants. More than half of its habitat has been destroyed and the butterfly is struggling to survive. Click here to join our next workday at Garrapata State Park!
Honoring history and culture at Palomar Mountain State Park
9 volunteers joined our workday at Palomar Mountain State Park on Sunday, May 29. Volunteers removed invasive species such as ferns and weeds around the historic Apple Orchard. This workday was dedicated to helping the previously planted trees get established by removing invasive species that compete for scarce water resources. Click here to join the waitlist for our next workday at Palomar Mountain State Park!
Enhancing park experiences at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
14 volunteers joined our workday at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area on Tuesday, May 31. Volunteers collected 24 bags of trash and recyclables around Granite Bay Beach. After a busy Memorial Day weekend, trash was found around the picnic areas, beach, and parking lot. Their efforts will help the next group of visitors enjoy the park’s beauty. Click here to join our next workday at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area!
Are you ready to join a community of park volunteers? Check out our calendar to see what workdays are around your area: volunteer.calparks.org.
