A Year of Impact: How 3,144 Volunteers Transformed Our State Parks

As we say goodbye to another successful fiscal year, we reflect on the incredible collective impact we’ve made over the past twelve months. We’re thrilled to share that with over 100 volunteer workdays, we mobilized 3,144 volunteers who contributed 10,792 hours of service to improving our beloved state parks. 

Throughout July, as we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated volunteers and park partners, we want to highlight some of our most impactful projects.  

We hope you’ll be inspired to join us in the parks soon!  
 

Fiscal Year 2024 (July 2023-June 2024) Workday Impact Numbers: 

Fiscal Year 2024 Workday Project Highlights: 

New Approaches to Habitat Restoration at Lighthouse Field State Beach 

Lighthouse Field State Beach staff have created test plots for community-supported habitat restoration projects! Volunteers have been instrumental in clearing invasive species like ice plant and cape ivy and planting California native plants. Park staff are experimenting with innovative restoration methods, such as using dried ice plant as mulch. Unlike many parks where volunteers haul invasive species offsite, they have discovered that regularly turning piles of pulled ice plant prevents them from re-rooting. This mulch is then used to maintain newly planted areas, ensuring they thrive.  

Join us on the first Saturday of each month as we continue this process throughout the park, making a tangible impact on our natural environment. Sign up here! 
 

Essential Trail Work in the Los Angeles Area 

Every month, we focus on trail maintenance workdays around different park sites within the Angeles District. Parks we’ve worked on include Malibu Lagoon State Beach, Malibu Creek State Park, Will Rogers State Historic Park, and Point Dume State Beach. Volunteers have been essential in pruning and trimming overgrown vegetation, widening trails, and removing invasive species along the paths. These efforts ensure clear and safe access for all park visitors.  

Join us in our mission to keep our trails beautiful and accessible. Sign up here!

Thank you to our volunteer community! With your support and stewardship, our state parks thrive. We look forward to continuing our work together, protecting and preserving these treasured spaces for future generations.  

Join us in the parks! Start your volunteer journey by signing up for a workday event near you: https://volunteer.calparks.org/.  

Want to take your volunteer experience to the next level? Become a Volunteer Core Leader! Sign up for our virtual training on September 14 from 9 AM– 11 AM. Spoiler alert: we’ll have another one in October!