We work year round on numerous sites including coastal dunes, public lands, and urban parks. Some sites offer beautiful ocean views, others a sense of wide-open wilderness, and others offer a clear connection between nature and urban communities.

The service activities that we coordinate are dependent upon the time of year as it correlates to our seasonal rainfall and native plants’ life cycles:

December to March – Restoration Planting – Transplanting plants from our greenhouses out to our various restoration sites.
April to November – Seeds and Weeds – Collecting native seeds in the field and removing invasive weeds from restoration sites.
August to November – Greenhouse Propagation – Sowing seeds in our greenhouse area at the Watershed Institute of CSU Monterey Bay.
Year round – Watershed Cleanup – Cleaning up trash and debris alongside water bodies in Salinas’ urban parks.

Impact: Provide food and shelter for native wildlife to thrive and protect endangered species Prevent erosion in fragile areas Filter pollutants and sediments out of storm water and agricultural runoff to improve water quality in creeks, rivers, lakes, and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Beautify urban parks and natural areas

Project Availability:

Volunteer Responsibilities: Provide transportation to the chosen site for your group(may not be at the Watershed Institute!), a refillable water bottle (we will bring additional water), a tax refundable donation to Return of the Natives

Attire: Dress appropriately for the work & weather - closed-toed shoes, long pants, sunscreen, layered clothing you won't mind getting dirty

Option to Move Project to a Different Location: Yes