Inside an Earth Day 2026 Volunteer Workday at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area

By David Pierce, Marketing Coordinator
 

A Clear Morning at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area

It was a clear Saturday morning in San Francisco, with blue skies, crisp air, and warm sun. After a few days of clouds and rain, it felt like something special. 

From the city, I made my way down to Candlestick Point State Recreation Area. As I followed the feather flags marking the event, it became clear this was more than just a typical morning in the park. Candlestick Point, California’s first urban state park and the only one within San Francisco County, was hosting one of California State Parks Foundation’s first Earth Day Climate Action workdays of the month.

Restoring Shorelines Through Community Effort 

Once I arrived at Jackrabbit Cove, a tucked-away stretch of shoreline within the park, I was greeted by familiar faces and positive energy. Randy Widera, California State Parks Foundation’s Director of Programs and Lisa Whitmer, the park’s Community Engagement Specialist, welcomed volunteers as they trickled in, setting the tone for the day.   

After some time to grab coffee, snacks, and chat with fellow volunteers, the group gathered to kick off the workday. 

We were joined by Literacy for Environmental Justice (LEJ), a community-based organization focused on environmental education and workforce development. They brought student eco-leaders and trays of native plants grown from locally collected seeds. Yarrow, paintbrush, poppies, coyote brush, and others were laid out across the site, each one ready to be reintroduced to the ecosystem. 

With a brief introduction of the site’s history and the community advocacy that helped protect this space, Randy and Lisa walked us through the day’s work. Volunteers spread across the dunes, removing invasive plants, preparing the sandy backshore, and planting native species. Each seedling was surrounded with mulch and wood chips to protect it from invasive regrowth. 

Together, these efforts support local wildlife and help stabilize the shoreline, making it more resilient to erosion, sea level rise, and other climate-related challenges. 

Volunteers Showing Up in Different Ways 

As we split into groups, some volunteers focused on removing invasive plants while others began planting natives. The team from LEJ showed us how to properly plant and care for each seedling before we got to work. 

Throughout the morning, I had the chance to talk with people from all walks of life. An older couple who lives next to the park shared how they look forward to California State Parks Foundation emails announcing upcoming workdays, one of many volunteer opportunities offered year-round.

I also spent time working alongside our Board of Trustees Chair Diane Ross-Leech and her daughter, Jeannette, talking about the beauty of the park and birding along the shoreline. I connected with Joy Turrini, Executive Liaison at California State Parks Foundation, and Elisa Mendel, a member of our Board of Trustees, who were both out supporting the workday.

Nearby, a sibling duo mentioned how they discovered the event simply by searching online for ways to volunteer in California state parks.

Despite the different paths that brought people here, everyone shared the same care for this place and a desire to protect it. 

Why Volunteer Workdays Matter

What stood out most to me was how volunteer workdays like this create space for people to connect. Not just with nature and state parks, but with each other. People come to share their time, their stories, and a shared commitment to protecting these parks and our planet. 

Over time, these spaces become communities. Welcoming first-time volunteers, and grounding for those who return again and again. 

I’ve been volunteering at the park since 2022, both as part of my role at California State Parks Foundation and in my own time. Seeing familiar faces alongside new ones made it clear how these workdays foster a real sense of belonging. The work goes beyond restoring ecosystems but also builds connections between the people who care for them. 

At the end of the day, we were treated to tacos from a local spot, Tato San Francisco, and after a full morning of physical work, getting to sit down, eat, and relax together felt just as meaningful as the work itself. I found a spot beneath one of the shaded pergolas overlooking the shoreline, built with wood supported by California State Parks Foundation, creating a space for visitors and volunteers alike to rest and gather. Good food, good people, and a reminder of how local communities show up for the parks we all love.

Get Involved in Earth Day Climate Action 

With April being both Earth Month and National Volunteer Month, that same sense of community is unfolding at parks across California this month. 

From coastal restoration at Half Moon Bay State Beach and Silver Strand State Beach, to urban green spaces like Los Angeles State Historic Park, to inland sites like Montaña de Oro State Park, Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park, and Dos Rios, there are opportunities to get involved in landscapes of all kinds. 

If you’ve been thinking about showing up for your local park, this is a great place to start. Explore upcoming Earth Day Climate Action workdays and sign up at calparks.org/earthday. 

Looking to stay involved beyond Earth Month? California State Parks Foundation also hosts volunteer workdays year-round, offering ongoing ways to give back, connect with your community, and support California’s state parks. 

Learn more and find a volunteer opportunity near you at calparks.org/volunteer.