Both Earth Day / Week AND California Trails Day are right on the horizon, which means there are plenty of opportunities to get dirty and help out this weekend.
On Saturday, April 16th, the Sierra Club is kicking off its Spring Trail Restoration events on the Gabrielino Trail near the Red Box Ranger station on the north face of Mount Wilson. Participants can meet at Red Box at 8AM or at the Park and Ride lot at the Lowell Ave exit of the 210 in La Crescenta (3931 Lowell Ave) at 6:45AM. Participants should bring your own work gloves, shoes, and clothes, along with the ten essentials, water, and snacks. Trail work will end at 3:30 and stop at 1PM for a short ceremony. You must register with the Forest Service and sign a Sierra Club waiver before you can help.
For more information, contact Bob Thompson at [email protected] or call him at 818-249-1237.
Additionally, the California State Parks Foundation is hosting 36 cleanup and restoration events all across the state. In Southern California, they’ll be hosting projects at everything from Baldwin Hills and Malibu Lagoon to Torrey Pines and many State Beaches, as well.
If you are interested in helping, you can call 1-888-98-PARKS, register online at Calparks.org, or contact any of the project leaders listed below:
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
Grant provided by Southern California Gas Company
Park contact: Martha Balkan, L.A. Audubon Society, (323) 876-0202, [email protected]
Projects: 1. Entry Circle at Hetzler Road planting project: Plant native plants such as ceonothus, hummingbird sage, white sage, and California fuchsia, to surround a new, large Oak tree.
2. Removal of invasive non-native plants at park entry location from hillside slopes, and re-vegetate with prostrate native plants that will help stabilize the soil and help prevent erosion and slope failure during heavy rains.
Check-in time: 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Project time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 6300 Hetzler Road, Culver City, CA 90230
Volunteers: 150
Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, garden gloves
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Grant provided by Edison International and The Home Depot Foundation
Park contact: Darrell Readyhoff, (805) 488-1827, [email protected]
Projects: 1. Waste removal from terminus of Malibu Creek at State Beach, including the beach, sloughs, creek, lagoon, and trails.
2. Graffiti removal from large cement overpass pilings and from trail signs, wooden posts, trees, and picnic tables.
3. Trail maintenance of overgrown shrubbery around parking lot islands and trails.
4. Reinstallation of water-conserving shower.
Check-in time: 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Project time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 23400 West Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
Volunteers: 305
Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, garden gloves
ORANGE COUNTY
Crystal Cove State Park
Park contact: Winter Bonnin, office: (949) 497-7647, [email protected]
Projects: 1. Removal of ½ mile of old rusty ranch fencing on the coastal bluff
2. Replacing the removed fencing with “symbolic” fencing (thimble eye posts and cable.)
3. Planting coastal bluff plants
4. Painting gates and curbs
Check-in time: 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Project time: 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach. Check-in at Los Trancos parking lot (Pacific Coast Highway, turn inland at stoplight at Los Trancos).
Volunteers: 225
Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, garden gloves
Doheny State Beach
Grant provided by The Home Depot Foundation
Park contact: Vicki Wiker, office: (949) 496-2704, [email protected]
Projects: 1. Removal of general weeds and diseased non-native shrubs/plants in the campground and campfire center;
2. Planting of large native trees in the campground as follow-up to last year’s project;
3. Removal of debris (trash) in watershed (San Juan Creek), shoreline, jetty, and general park grounds.
Check-in time: 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Project time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629. Check-in @ the Campfire Center.
Volunteers: 135-175
Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, garden gloves, shovel
Huntington State Beach
Grant provided by Coca-Cola Refreshments, Stater Bros., and The Home Depot Foundation
Park contact: Lon Graham, office (714) 374-0607, [email protected]
Projects: Volunteers will work in organized groups to complete initial phase of habitat restoration along approximately 2.5 miles of the park boundary adjacent to Pacific Coast Highway . Work groups will be bussed to/from the areas furthest from the event check-in area. The work will entail using hand tools to remove all non-native vegetation (primarily invasive iceplant), debris and trash. The iceplant and trash will be bagged and hauled to dumpsters in the park.
Check-in time: 8:30 a.m.
Project time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Lot #3, Enter at Magnolia Street from Pacific Coast Highway .
Volunteers: 1,000
Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, garden gloves
San Clemente State Beach
Park contact: Cryssie Brommer, office (949) 366-8594, [email protected]
Projects: 1. Pollinator Habitat Restoration: Continue to plant native plants in the butterfly trail; clear weeds; add mulch/compost.
2. Nature Trail: remove non-native iceplant; restore trail markers
3. Painting; graffiti removal; trash pick-up
Check-in time: 8:30 a.m.
Project time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 225 West Calafia, San Clemente, CA 92672
Volunteers: 350
Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, garden gloves
San Onofre State Beach
Grant provided by Edison International
Park contact: Cryssie Brommer, office (949) 366-8594, [email protected]
Projects: 1. Native Plant Restoration: continue to plant native plants in same area as last year; clear weeds; add mulch/compost.
2. Graffiti removal; sign maintenance; general park clean-up.
Check-in time: 8:30 a.m.
Project time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: From I-5 freeway, exit Basilone Road. Turn right. Follow signs for Surf Beach Access. Meet at Surf Beach upper parking lot.
Volunteers: 300
Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, garden gloves
INLAND EMPIRE
Chino Hills State Park
Park contact: John Clagett, office: (951) 780-6222, [email protected]
Projects: There are several “islands” of bare dirt that were disturbed during the construction of the new Discovery Center. A combination of rocks and plants will be used to landscape and beautify several areas in the parking area for the Discovery Center. This includes:
Rock work landscaping at the new Discovery Center site.
Planting trees and bushes, in various disturbed sites and islands around the parking lot.
Check-in time: 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Project time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Discovery Center, 4500 Carbon Canyon Drive, Brea, CA 92823
Volunteers: 100
Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, garden gloves
Wildwood Canyon State Park
Park contact: Sam Cordaro, office (951) 443-2412, [email protected]
Projects: 1. Install approximately 500 feet of split-rail fence
2. Install two interpretive panels
3. Plant native trees
Check-in time: 8:30 a.m.
Project time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 12900 Canyon Drive, Yucaipa, CA
Volunteers: 80
Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, garden gloves
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Park contact: Bob Hillis, office (760) 765-0655, [email protected]
Projects: 1. Brushing Azalea Springs Trail
2. Brushing Stonewall Peak Trail
3. Replace stake and rider fencing on Stonewall Mine Rd.
4. Litter cleanup Paso Picacho Meadow
Check-in time: 8:30 a.m.
Project time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 13652 Highway 79, Julian, CA 92036. Check in @ the Paso Picacho Day Use area.
Volunteers: 120
Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, garden gloves
Park contact: Jessica Murany, office (760) 742-3462, [email protected]
Projects: 1. Apple Orchard: install drip line, tear down deer fencing, pruning, and mulching.
2. Removal of tree protection tubes that were used around newly planted trees after the Poomacha Fire located on Boucher Hill and along Nate Harrison Grade.
3. Removal of Ceanothus along Silvercrest Trail and along Nate Harrison grade that is crowding out Bracken Fern and new tree growth.
Check-in time: 8:30 a.m.
Project time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 19952 State Park Road, Palomar Mountain, CA 92060. Lunch will be provided.
Volunteers: 90-130
Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, garden gloves, closed-toe shoes
San Elijo State Beach
Park contact: Brian Ketterer, office (760) 720-7001, [email protected]
Projects: 1. Habitat restoration- Removal of exotic and non-native plant species and replanting of native plants including lemonade berry, coyote brush, toyon, and coastal sage.
2. Beach Cleanup – Removal of debris from beach and coastal bluff areas. Separating refuse and recycling.
3. Park beautification projects including picnic table repair, light painting, weed removal, maintenance of campfire center area.
Check-in time: 8:30 a.m.
Project time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 2050 Highway 101, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007. Check-in will be at the Ranger Office.
Volunteers: 215
Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, garden gloves
South Carlsbad State Beach
Park contact: Brian Ketterer, office (760) 720-7001, [email protected]
Projects: 1. Habitat restoration- Removal of exotic and non-native plant species and replanting of native plants including lemonade berry, coyote brush, toyon, and coastal sage.
2. Beach Cleanup – Removal of debris from beach and coastal bluff areas. Separating refuse and recycling.3. Park beautification projects including picnic table repair, light painting, weed removal, maintenance of campfire center area.
Check-in time: 8:30 a.m.
Project time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 7201 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad, CA 92008. Parking available at north end of campground, and check-in will be at Pelican Point.
Volunteers: 215
Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, garden gloves
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
Park contact: Dylan Hardenbrook, office (858) 755-2063 [email protected]
Projects: 1. Trail delineation and maintenance to protect habitat, prevent erosion.
2. Invasive species removal from Carmel Valley Rd
3. Beach and Parking Lot clean up
Check-in: 8:30 a.m.
Project time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 1800 McGonigle Road, Del Mar, CA 92014. Check in at North Beach parking area, off of Carmel Valley Road.
Volunteers: 100
Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, garden gloves
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
El Capitan State Beach
Grant provided by Southern California Gas Company and The Home Depot Foundation
Park contact: Susan Kosek-Kelly, office (805) 968-2943, [email protected]
Projects: 1. Install drip irrigation system at newer restroom #5. Plant native plants at same location.
2. Plant seven Oak trees along bluff area in Group camp.
3. Repaint screen and benches at outdoor campfire program center.
Check-in time: 8:30 a.m.
Project time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Exit #117 off of Hwy. 101 in Goleta, CA 93117
Volunteers: 115
Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, garden gloves
La Purisima Mission State Historic Park
Park contact: Theresa Armas, office (805) 733-7776, [email protected]
Projects: There is an historic aqueduct that runs from a spring fed pond to the mission buildings (about ¾ mile). It was built to bring water for use with agriculture, laundry and various other uses by the mission people. It needs annual maintenance to cut back grasses and plants encroaching on it. A cleaned out aqueduct will allow it to be readily seen, move water as intended, and maintain an important cultural element in this park. We are holding a Clean the Aqueduct Day in honor of the important role water played in mission times and the value of water on this planet.
Check-in time: 8:30 a.m.
Project time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 2295 Purisima Road, Lompoc, CA 93436. Check-in at the main visitor center parking lot.
Volunteers: 100
Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, garden gloves
VENTURA COUNTY
San Buenaventura State Beach
Grant provided by Southern California Gas Company
Park contact: Brent Brody, office 805-968-1033, [email protected]
Projects: Planting 40 California native trees and 15 native plants; weed abatement; plant and tree pruning near the pier lot area.
Check-in time: 8:30 a.m.
Project time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 911 San Pedro Street, Ventura, CA 93001
Volunteers: 100
Bring: Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, garden gloves
Tags: california state parks foundation, earth day, Los Angeles, Sierra Club, southern california, volunteering
