Volunteer

Have fun and do good

Volunteer opportunities available now at local State Parks

Volunteer with Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks

Storm recovery, special events, beach clean-ups and more — get on the Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks volunteer list to be in the loop when our local state parks and beaches need support. Fill out this form today to stay connected.

Become a docent at Wilder Ranch State Park

Docent volunteer training at Wilder Ranch State Park begins on Saturday, March 30. Interested? Contact the park at 831-426-0505 or wilderranch@parks-ca-us to learn more.

Volunteer at Pigeon Point

Engage with visitors, share a love of lighthouses, learn about wildlife and assist with State Parks programs as a volunteer at Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park. New docent training will be 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16. Call 650-879-2120 or email volunteers.pigeonpoint@nullparks.ca.gov for more.

Make a difference at Lighthouse Field State Beach

Join California State Parks Foundation to remove nonnative vegetation, and support habitat restoration and help trail improvements at Lighthouse Field State Beach. This restoration work happens the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. Sign up now!

Castro Adobe State Historic Park is seeking garden volunteers

Castro Adobe State Historic Park needs more volunteers to help maintain flowers, fruit trees and vegetable beds. Volunteer gardeners should have some experience gardening, such as knowing how to prune, weed, deadhead and plant. Garden Team members serve as stewards of the garden properties at the Castro and the Kimbro House, and their hard work maintaining each garden is appreciated and admired by visitors at the property. To volunteer or ask questions, please email.

Join the Big Basin Volunteer Trail Crew

The Big Basin Volunteer Trail Crew is a volunteer group is dedicated to preserving Big Basin Redwoods State Park and volunteers have been working twice monthly to make significant progress in maintaining the trails. Become a part of the effort to restore Big Basin — email to apply.

Ongoing volunteer opportunities in Santa Cruz Mountain state parks

Want to give back to local State Parks trails? Join Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship (SCMTS) for volunteer trail work! SCMTS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that actively builds and maintains trails throughout Wilder Ranch State Park and the Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. They host regular trail work events where volunteers can give back to local trails, and no experience is required to participate. To see the latest info on upcoming trail work events, view their events calendar at santacruztrails.org/events, or sign up for their newsletter at santacruztrails.org/subscribe.

Become a volunteer at Castro Adobe State Historic Park

Are you interested in California’s history and culture? Are you looking for a fun and unique way to give something back to your community? Do you enjoy working with people of all ages, backgrounds, and national origins? If you answered “yes” and are at least 18 years old, you are eligible to apply for a volunteer job with Rancho San Andres Castro Adobe State Historic Park in Watsonville. Call (831) 226-9669 or email to apply. Learn more here.

Volunteers sought for San Mateo Coast parks and beaches

Do you enjoy nature and being outdoors? Do you want to share knowledge with others and promote conservation and stewardship? This is your opportunity to join our team of dedicated volunteers who rove the trails, interact with visitors, host at the visitor center and in general contribute to the inspiration, education and enjoyment of park visitors at Half Moon Bay State Beach, Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve, McNee Ranch in Montara Beach State Park and Burleigh Murray Ranch State Park. To volunteer contact the Volunteer Coordinator by email or call 650-726-8814.

Volunteer in the redwoods at Butano State Park

Join the volunteer trail crew at Butano State Park. Typical volunteer days include clearing brush along the 40 miles of park trails, removing down trees, and reporting major trail damage to park staff. If you’re interested in Butano’s volunteer trail crew, call the park directly at 650-879-2040.

Help with trail work at The Forest of Nisene Marks State Park

The Advocates for the Forest of Nisene Marks meet on the third Sunday of each month for a trail workday. Gather at the entrance kiosk at 9:30 a.m. Volunteers clear vegetation away from the trails, clear ditches of debris and cut a path through any trees that fall across the trails. Seasonally, the crew installs and removes footbridges. Work lasts until about 2 p.m. Please bring work gloves, lunch and water. Contact Geoff Alexander by email with questions.