Earth Day Volunteer Workdays Return to California State Parks This April

As Earth Day approaches, we invite you to celebrate Earth Month by volunteering in California state parks! 

Throughout April, volunteers will work alongside park staff and community partners to support climate action projects that strengthen the health and resilience of the parks we all love. 
 

“Working within your local community to create change has always been a core part of the environmental movement. We are proud to continue our tradition of hosting Earth Day volunteer workdays, bringing people together to protect and preserve California’s state parks.” 

- Rachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation
 

Plus, this year also marks the first Earth Day volunteer workday at Dos Rios, California’s newest state park! Volunteers will help reduce wildfire risk and improve habitat conditions and plant native species that support healthier ecosystems along the river corridor. 

These events focus on impactful stewardship efforts such as: 

• Wildfire resilience  
• Native habitat restoration 
• Invasive species removal 
• Park maintenance  

Together, these projects help parks to better withstand the effects of climate change while protecting wildlife habitat and improving visitor experiences. 

Many of these projects support more than one goal at the same time. Removing invasive plants can reduce wildfire risk, planting native species restores habitat, and maintaining park spaces helps protect ecosystems for both wildlife and visitors. 

Below, you can find some of the projects we are working on this April. For full details and to register for an Earth Day Climate Action volunteer workday, visit calparks.org/earthday.  

Wildfire Resilience in California State Parks 

Several Earth Day volunteer workdays focus on reducing wildfire risk: 
 

Chino Hills State Park

Volunteers will help clear an abandoned lemon grove near the Discovery Center to prepare the land for future native oak and walnut plantings. By removing dead lemon trees, stumps, and invasive grasses, volunteers will help reduce fire fuel loads and create space for native species to return. 

Angel Island State Park 

Volunteers will remove invasive species and dead and downed wood that contribute to wildfire fuel loads. These efforts help support native plant recovery while improving the park’s resilience to wildfire. 

Native Habitat Restoration in California State Parks 

Several Earth Day volunteer events focus on restoring native plant communities that support wildlife: 
 

Candlestick Point State Recreation Area 

Volunteers will help restore shoreline habitat at Jackrabbit Cove by planting native species grown by Literacy for Environmental Justice and removing invasive plants. These efforts help stabilize dunes, support local wildlife, and strengthen the shoreline’s resilience to sea level rise and erosion. 

Dos Rios

Join us at California's newest state park, Dos Rios! Volunteers will help reduce wildfire risk and improve habitat conditions and plant native species that support healthier ecosystems along the river corridor.

Invasive Species Removal in California State Parks 

Many Earth Day volunteer projects focus on removing invasive plants that threaten native ecosystems and wildlife habitat. 

Silver Strand State Beach 

Volunteers will remove invasive ice plant that threatens sensitive coastal dune habitats. Removing this fast-spreading plant improves habitat quality for native wildlife and rare dune plant species while strengthening resilience to climate impacts such as sea level rise.  

China Camp State Park 

Volunteers will remove invasive Scotch and French broom near Back Ranch Meadows. These aggressive shrubs crowd out native plants, alter soil chemistry, and increase wildfire risk due to their high flammability. 

Park Maintenance for Visitors and Wildlife 

Earth Day volunteer workdays also support important gathering spaces and educational areas within California state parks. 
 

Crystal Cove State Park 

Volunteers will help restore the amphitheater and picnic area at Pelican Point, an outdoor space used for field trips, summer programs, and community events. Volunteers will install fencing, refresh seating, remove overgrown vegetation, and spread mulch for weed control and water conservation. These improvements will help revitalize an outdoor classroom space while improving habitat and reducing wildfire risk. 

Keep Parks Thriving Beyond Earth Day 

Many of these events take place at parks where we worked alongside volunteers last year, and we also host volunteer workdays throughout the year. Consistent stewardship is key to keeping California’s state parks thriving. By returning to these landscapes again and again, volunteers help create lasting impact and provide the long-term care our parks need.  

These ongoing efforts strengthen ecosystems, improve visitor spaces, and help parks adapt to the growing challenges of climate change. Learn more about our year-long volunteer program at calparks.org/volunteer.  

Join Us for Earth Day Volunteer Workdays  

California State Parks Foundation has hosted Earth Day volunteer events for nearly 30 years, bringing thousands of volunteers together to care for California’s state parks.  

This April, hundreds of volunteers are expected to participate in Earth Day volunteer workdays across the state. Whether you are joining for the first time or returning to a park you have helped care for before, your participation helps protect these landscapes for future generations.  

Thank you to Niagara Cares, the philanthropic division of Niagara Bottling, our 2026 Earth Day presenting sponsor, for making this month of impact possible. 

For full details and registration information, visit calparks.org/earthday.