28 March 2023
Volunteers will improve climate resilience at 11 state parks throughout California.
San Francisco, CA — California State Parks Foundation is hosting 11 volunteer workdays across California on the first four Saturdays of this April in honor of Earth Day. Volunteers will help with a variety of projects that promote climate resilience, including removing invasive plants, establishing native plants, and picking up litter. Each site will host up to 50–150 volunteers of a variety of ages. Several state representatives have also been invited to attend workdays in their local area. Volunteers are required to register, and sites are expected to fill quickly. Each event will offer plenty of photo and interview opportunities. Members of the press do not need to register, but they should contact volunteer@calparks.org if they would like to cover an event. To learn more about California State Parks Foundation’s volunteer Earth Day workdays, visit our website: https://www.calparks.org/earthday.
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (Black Miners Bar)
Folsom, CA 95630
April 1, 2023 — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Volunteers will help park staff restore native oak woodland habitat by digging holes, planting trees and shrubs, and running irrigation lines to water the plants. This project will introduce native oak trees, which are needed to support the local ecosystem. Volunteers will also help remove invasive plants to minimize water competition for native species. The replacement of non-native plants with native species will also reduce the fire risk. This project will be the beginning of a two-year restoration effort in this part of the park.
China Camp State Park
Santa Venetia, CA 94901
April 1, 2023 — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Volunteers will remove invasive Scotch broom and French broom plants in selected areas of the park. Removed plants will then be chipped and placed into an organic debris box. Removing broom plants improves habitat for native plants and promotes biodiversity of native species. Strategic broom removal also promotes climate resilience by reducing potential fuel for wildfires.
Angel Island State Park
Tiburon, CA 94920
April 15, 2023 — 9:30 AM–3:20 PM
Volunteers will remove invasive plants such as pride of Madeira, broom, and forget-me-not to protect native species growing in those areas. Volunteers will also build fire resilience in the park by reducing fuel for potential wildfires, including splitting and moving downed wood to locations where it will be used for historic programing. Groups will work in selected areas of the park within walking distance of the ferry dock to provide accessibility.
Half Moon Bay State Beach
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
April 15, 2023 — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Volunteers will help with ongoing habitat restoration efforts at the park, including removing invasive species, preparing areas for planting by sheet mulching, and potentially planting native plants. Sheet mulching conserves water and helps native plants survive the drier, hotter conditions caused by climate change. Furthermore, restoring coastal habitat can build a natural barrier to rising sea levels as well as expand native animal and plant communities.
Millerton Lake State Recreation Area
Friant, CA 93626
April 22, 2023 — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Volunteers will help with maintenance projects to prevent erosion and build wildfire resilience in the park. To reduce wildfire risk, volunteers will replace split-rail fencing to prevent vehicles from driving offroad into dry grass. Work may also include planting native trees in the Meadows Cove Day Use Area.
Montaña de Oro State Park
Los Osos, CA 93402
April 8, 2023 — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Volunteers will help restore coastal bluff habitat by removing invasive non-native species and planting native plants in areas that have been trampled by park visitors. Volunteers will also help install symbolic fencing to guide visitors to stay on trails and prevent damage to the surrounding environment. This project will reduce erosion and slow down bluff retreat by increasing water filtration in the newly planted areas. Volunteers will also plant native plants throughout the campground to replace removed hazard trees, provide wildlife habitat, increase carbon absorption, and improve aesthetics for park visitors.
Chino Hills State Park
Brea, CA 92823
April 22, 2023 — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Volunteers will perform park maintenance and remove invasive plant species. Work will include picking up leaf litter, picking up trash, and removing invasive mustard plants from around the Discovery Center and Telegraph Canyon Trail. Removing mustard will create a fire buffer around the center and prevent this flammable plant from spreading further into the park. This family-friendly event will also have arts and crafts activities.
Los Angeles State Historic Park
Los Angeles, CA 90012
April 22, 2023 — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Volunteers will learn about monarch and invertebrate conservation and the role of native plants in their survival. They will plant ~250 native milkweed and other pollinator supporter plants and clear the area of weeds. After the plants are installed, groups will work together to water and mulch the planting beds. Native milkweed plants are the only source of food for monarch larvae, providing all the nourishment needed to transform a caterpillar into an adult butterfly. As California’s wildlands are lost, planting native milkweed in urban and suburban contexts more than five miles away from the coast can help restore vital lost habitat.
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook State Park
Culver City, CA 90232
April 8, 2023 — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Volunteers will support the park’s ongoing habitat restoration efforts by planting white sage, black walnut, California bush sunflower, and other plants that are native to Southern California. These species are drought-resistant, have adapted to survive California's Mediterranean climate, and have important cultural botanical uses. Because they use less water than most non-native species, native plants also promote water conservation in the face of rising temperatures and decreased rainfall. Additionally, native plants provide food, shelter, and nesting materials to migratory birds and other wildlife.
Crystal Cove State Park
Newport Beach, CA 92657
April 22, 2023 — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Volunteers will help maintain the Los Trancos and Historic District area by trimming overgrown vegetation, pulling weeds, and spreading mulch in surrounding areas. This is an exceptionally busy part of the park and will be in great need of weed removal (mustard, in particular). Volunteers can also participate in a beach cleanup to prevent litter from impacting the habitat and wildlife.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
San Diego, CA 92110
April 22, 2023 — 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Volunteers will be split into teams and conduct trash cleanups at different sites around the park, including the Land of the First People outdoor exhibit, the native plant garden, the main plaza, and the historic gardens in La Casa de Estudillo and La Casa de Machado y Stewart. Teams will compete to see who can pick up the most trash, weighing in their buckets when they return to the event station. Teams looking for an additional challenge can help remove invasive weeds in the park’s historic gardens and interpretive spaces. Old Town San Diego State Historic Park serves over 4 million visitors a year, hosts a variety of unique and diverse ecosystems, and is home to several endangered and threatened species. By participating in this cleanup event, volunteers can help prevent urban pollutants like plastic, cigarette butts, and other trash from entering the watershed’s water supply.
Contacts
Ashley Tittle
Director of Marketing and Communications at California State Parks Foundation
ashley@calparks.org
415-262-4428
Melissa Potts
Volunteer Program Manager at California State Parks Foundation
melissa@calparks.org
916-619-7393