Volunteer Events in California State Parks Celebrate Earth Day
Published:
March 2, 2026
San Francisco, CA — California State Parks Foundation today invited members of the public to celebrate Earth Day by participating in climate action volunteer events throughout April. These volunteer workdays will focus on impactful climate-related projects like wildfire resilience efforts, native species planting, and invasive plant removal. This year, they will host a volunteer workday in California’s newest state park, Dos Rios, for the first time.
“Working within your local community to create change has always been a core part of the environmental movement,” said Rachel Norton, Executive Director of California State Parks Foundation. “We are proud to continue our tradition of hosting Earth Day volunteer workdays, bringing people together to protect and preserve California’s state parks.”
California State Parks Foundation’s annual Earth Day celebrations have taken place for almost 30 years. Cumulatively, these events have raised nearly $9.5 million, attracted 39,438 volunteers, and resulted in 136,702 volunteer hours. This year, hundreds of volunteers are expected to attend a dozen events, ready to get to work.
Below is a list of the volunteer events across the state, made possible with the generous support of our presenting sponsor, Niagara Cares, the philanthropic division of Niagara Bottling. For full details and to register for an Earth Day Climate Action volunteer workday, visit calparks.org/earthday.
Featured workdays include:
Chino Hills State Park | Orange, Riverside, & San Bernardino Counties
Saturday, April 4 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Support a key climate resilience project by helping clear an abandoned lemon grove to prepare the land for future native oak and walnut plantings. By removing dead lemon trees, stumps, and invasive grasses and weeds, volunteers will help reduce fire fuel loads, open space for native species to return, and set the stage for planting seedlings now growing in the park’s nursery. Register here.
Silver Strand State Beach | San Diego County
Saturday, April 11 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Restore coastal strand and dune habitats by removing invasive ice plant. Volunteers will use hand picks and loppers to pull the ice plant and take it to nearby dumpsters using burlap tarps. Removing this invasive weed helps improve habitat quality for sensitive native plant and wildlife populations, and enhances resilience to climate threats such as sea level rise. This work supports threatened bird species like the horned lark and killdeer plover, as well as rare dune plants like Brand’s phacelia and Nuttall’s lotus. Register here.
Dos Rios | Stanislaus County
Saturday, April 18 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Reduce wildfire risk, create native habitat, and improve conditions for both terrestrial and aquatic species in California’s newest state park. Activities may include removing dead or hazardous tree limbs, clearing brush and leaf litter along roads and trails, planting native species to strengthen ecosystem health, and removing debris and litter from riverside areas. Together, these efforts help maintain safer, healthier habitats that are better able to withstand the challenges of a changing climate. Register here.
Angel Island State Park | Marin County
Saturday, April 18 | 9:30 AM–3:20 PM
Build wildfire resilience by removing invasive species and dead and downed wood that contribute to fuel loads. Volunteers will remove invasives such as pride of Madeira, broom, and forget-me-nots to support native plant recovery, split wood and move it to designated locations for use in historic programming, and remove Monterey pine seedlings that impact native species. These efforts support climate resilience by strengthening habitat health and reducing wildfire risk. Register here.
Other Earth Day Climate Action volunteer workdays include:
Candlestick Point State Recreation Area | San Francisco County
Saturday, April 4 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Care for the park’s cherished shoreline habitat and strengthen its resilience to a changing climate. Register here.
Half Moon Bay State Beach | Santa Cruz County
Saturday, April 11 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Support ongoing habitat restoration efforts and strengthen the park’s resilience to climate change. Register here.
Montaña de Oro | San Luis Obispo County
Saturday, April 11 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Strengthen the climate resilience of the park’s coastal ecosystem. Register here.
China Camp State Park | Marin County
Saturday, April 11 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Support two meaningful restoration projects: helping repair historic structures in China Camp Village and removing invasive Scotch and French broom near Back Ranch Meadows. Register here.
Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park | Sacramento County
Saturday, April 11 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Restore the park’s grassland meadow, which includes a nature trail and provides important habitat for local wildlife. Register here.
Crystal Cove State Park | Orange County
Saturday, April 18 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Restore the amphitheater and picnic area at Pelican Point Lot #4, an important gathering space for field trips, summer programs, and community events. Register here.
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook State Park | Los Angeles County
Saturday, April 11 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Support a meaningful climate resilience project by helping restore native habitat in the heart of Los Angeles. Register here.
Los Angeles State Historic Park | Los Angeles County
Saturday, April 18 | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Care for "A Monument to Sharing," a permanent artwork featuring 32 orange trees encircled by phrases from the local community that together form a collective poem and urban food forest. Register here.
# # #
ABOUT CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS FOUNDATION
California State Parks Foundation, an independent, member-supported nonprofit with over 50 years of history, is dedicated to protecting and preserving the California state park system for the benefit of all. We work in parks and in Sacramento with partners, park staff, and policymakers to address the challenges parks face. To make real and lasting change, we are working to build a movement of people who enjoy and advocate for their parks now, and for future generations. Learn more at www.calparks.org, or find California State Parks Foundation @calparks on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X, and @californiaparks on Bluesky.