Big Sur Land Trust

Help care for the lands you LOVE: February 26
2025-02-26 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Marks Ranch, 117th Drive, Salinas, CA, 93908, United States
Big Sur Land Trust is providing regular monthly opportunities for community members to actively help us steward our preserves in Monterey County. No prior experience or green thumb required—just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to roll up your sleeves.
These fun events are a great way to meet like-minded individuals and connect with the lands you love. Join us!
When: Wednesday, February 26 | 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Where: Meet outside the gate at Marks Ranch.
What: During this event we will be working together to remove a common invasive species called Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus). Read more about why we need to remove this tricky species, HERE.
Snacks and tools will be provided but bring plenty of water! Close-toed shoes, hats, and layers are strongly encouraged!
This is a family-friendly event. All participants must sign a waiver to participate. These events can count towards High School Community Service Hour requirements.
Additional instructions/directions provided via email once registration is complete.
Register >>

Let’s Go Outdoors! San Jose Creek 2-mile Hike | March 8
2025-03-08 09:00 - 14:00 | Palo Corona Regional Park, 4860 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel, CA, 93923, United States
Distance: 2 miles
Elevation: 150′ total ascent
Difficulty: Easy
Pace: Easy
Every step of this hike was made possible through our partnership with the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, California State Parks, and Point Lobos Foundation as collaborative members of the Lobos Corona Parklands project — along with generous donors and funders. Shuttles will transport hikers from Palo Corona Regional Park (Rancho Cañada) to the Ishxenta State Park San Jose Creek trailhead, which is only accessible through guided hikes. From there, we will meander up the gentle incline along San Jose Creek, looking for early wildflowers along the way. After crossing over San Jose Creek’s three magnificent redwood bridges, we will arrive at the meadow that will be our turnaround point. This hike is a beautiful reminder that collaboration can bring beautiful change and that our actions are stronger when taken together. We are grateful to our partners and to our donors for each step forward that we take together.
Bring: Snacks to enjoy along the hike, plus everything you need for a half-day of backcountry hiking. Sturdy closed-toe hiking shoes are required, and layers are recommended.
Please note: While the trails we will be on are well-tended, this area is known to have extremely high tick densities. Please take extra precautions when preparing for this hike (wear light-colored clothes, wear pants that can be tucked into socks, bring and use tick repellent, etc.) and be sure to do a thorough tick-check following your day with us.
Please note that each participant must be individually registered (including kids, who need to be accompanied by an adult).
Register >>

Help care for the lands you LOVE: March 8
2025-03-08 09:30 - 13:30 | Crossroads Park & Ride, 3650 Rio Road, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA, 93923, United States
Big Sur Land Trust is providing regular monthly opportunities for community members to actively help us steward our preserves in Monterey County. No prior experience or green thumb required—just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to roll up your sleeves.
These fun events are a great way to meet like-minded individuals and connect with the lands you love. Join us!
When: Saturday, March 8 | 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
Where: Meet at the Park and Ride at the Crossroads in Carmel. We will organize carpools and caravan together to Glen Deven Ranch.
What: During this event we will be working together to remove a common invasive species called French broom (Genista monspessulana). Read more about why we need to remove this tricky species, HERE.
Snacks and tools will be provided but bring plenty of water! Close-toed shoes, hats, and layers are strongly encouraged!
This is a family-friendly event. All participants must sign a waiver to participate. These events can count towards High School Community Service Hour requirements.
Additional instructions/directions provided via email once registration is complete.
Register >>

Big Sur Land Trust Volunteer Orientation | March 13
2025-03-13 12:00 - 13:00 | CA
A virtual orientation to learn more about Big Sur Land Trust and our volunteer opportunities.

Your dedication to your community is what makes it a vibrant place! You have chosen to become a volunteer with Big Sur Land Trust, and we want us to get better acquainted. Whether you are a new or current volunteer, please join us for this online volunteer orientation.
Through this orientation, you will become more familiar with Big Sur Land Trust’s mission, history, programs, organizational structure, and volunteer opportunities so that you are more fully informed about the organization you hope to so generously support through volunteering. This will also be your chance to interact with staff members and ask questions.
There is nothing you need to do to prepare for this orientation – just join us! However, if you’d like to learn more about who you will hear from, and some of the things you will hear about, here are a few links to peruse:

Our Get involved! page has links to all the ways you can get involved with Big Sur Land Trust, from making a hike request to submitting a photo. You can also review our volunteer roles and click each to learn more about them.
Check out our upcoming events, including upcoming public volunteer workdays. You can also review past events to get a feel for what we’ve been up to.
Your orientation will be given by Jenny Jacox, Organizational Engagement Lead for Big Sur Land Trust. Until you meet personally, you can learn more about Jenny, and all Big Sur Land Trust’s staff members, on our staff page.
Finally, you can learn about our work and where we (and often, volunteers) are most active by visiting our Where We Work page.

Our work would not be possible without the generosity of our donors and volunteers. Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Big Sur Land Trust. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Register >>

Invasive Plant Removal at Marks Ranch | March 26
2025-03-26 14:00 - 17:00 | Marks Ranch, 117th Drive, Salinas, CA, 93908, United States
Join us at Mars Ranch to remove the invasive Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus) and more.
Big Sur Land Trust is providing regular monthly opportunities for community members to actively help us steward our preserves in Monterey County. No prior experience or green thumb required—just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to roll up your sleeves.
These fun events are a great way to meet like-minded individuals and connect with the lands you love. Join us!
When: Wednesday, March 26 | 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Where: Meet outside the gate at Marks Ranch.
What: During this event we will be working together to remove a common invasive species called Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus). Read more about why we need to remove this tricky species, HERE.
Snacks and tools will be provided but bring plenty of water! Close-toed shoes, hats, and layers are strongly encouraged!
This is a family-friendly event. All participants must sign a waiver to participate. These events can count towards High School Community Service Hour requirements.
Additional instructions/directions provided via email once registration is complete.
Register >>

Let's Go Outdoors! San Jose Creek 2-mile Hike | April 5
2025-04-05 09:00 - 14:00 | Palo Corona Regional Park, 4860 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel, CA, 93923, United States
Join Big Sur Land Trust for a gentle 2-mile guided hike along the San Jose Creek Trail.
Every step of this hike was made possible through our partnership with the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, California State Parks, and Point Lobos Foundation as collaborative members of the Lobos Corona Parklands project — along with generous donors and funders. Shuttles will transport hikers from Palo Corona Regional Park (Rancho Cañada) to the Ishxenta State Park San Jose Creek trailhead, which is only accessible through guided hikes. From there, we will meander up the gentle incline along San Jose Creek, looking for early wildflowers along the way. After crossing over San Jose Creek’s three magnificent redwood bridges, we will arrive at the meadow that will be our turnaround point. This hike is a beautiful reminder that collaboration can bring beautiful change and that our actions are stronger when taken together. We are grateful to our partners and to our donors for each step forward that we take together.
Register >>

Volunteer French Broom Pull | April 12
2025-04-12 09:30 - 13:30 | Crossroads Park & Ride, 3650 Rio Road, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA, 93923, United States
Big Sur Land Trust is providing regular monthly opportunities for community members to actively help us steward our preserves in Monterey County. No prior experience or green thumb required—just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to roll up your sleeves.
These fun events are a great way to meet like-minded individuals and connect with the lands you love. Join us!
When: Saturday, April 12 | 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
Where: Meet at the Park and Ride at the Crossroads in Carmel. We will organize carpools and caravan together to Glen Deven Ranch.
What: During this event we will be working together to remove a common invasive species called French broom (Genista monspessulana). Read more about why we need to remove this tricky species, HERE.
Register >>

Let's Go Outdoors! BSLT Earth Day Guided Hike: Lunch Bench/Corona Cabin | April 22
2025-04-22 08:00 - 17:00 | Palo Corona Regional Park, 4860 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel, CA, 93923, United States
Join Big Sur Land Trust for a loop hike featuring highlights of the Lobos Corona Parklands, part of BSLT’s legacy of land conservation.
Celebrate Earth Day 2025 on a hike with Big Sur Land Trust from the Williams Canyon parking meadow through Mitteldorf Preserve and the Palo Corona Regional Park backcountry. We will traverse 8 miles and climb over 2200 feet. We will spend much of the day on lands not open to the public that are part of Big Sur Land Trust’s 46-year and 45,000-acre legacy of land conservation, so it will be our special pleasure to enable managed access to these conserved lands in support of our continuing land conservation efforts.
Register >>

Invasive Plant Pull | April 23
2025-04-23 14:00 - 17:00 | Marks Ranch, 117th Drive, Salinas, CA, 93908, United States
Big Sur Land Trust is providing regular monthly opportunities for community members to actively help us steward our preserves in Monterey County. No prior experience or green thumb required—just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to roll up your sleeves.
These fun events are a great way to meet like-minded individuals and connect with the lands you love. Join us!
When: Wednesday, April 23 | 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Where: Meet outside the gate at Marks Ranch.
What: During this event we will be working together to remove a common invasive species called Italian thistle (Carduus pycnocephalus). Read more about why we need to remove this tricky species, HERE.
Snacks and tools will be provided but bring plenty of water! Close-toed shoes, hats, and layers are strongly encouraged!
Register >>

Big Sur International Marathon - Green Team | April 27
2025-04-27 11:00 - 16:00 | CA
Sign up to volunteer at the BSIM on behalf of Big Sur Land Trust! BSIM is an iconic and more sustainable event thanks to volunteers, and Big Sur Land Trust volunteers support BSIM sustainability as part of Big Sur Land Trust’s work to support healthy lands, healthy people, and healthy communities.
Volunteers should give themselves plenty of time to drive to the finish area, park, and walk to the meet-up location. Please plan to arrive 15-20 minutes before your shift begins.
Beginning at 11:00 AM, volunteers will help to keep the Big Sur International Marathon (BSIM) finish area clean and litter-free. Your help to capture any litter left behind by tired runners and their enthusiastic fans will help to ensure none of it ends up on nearby conserved lands or in rivers, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary waters, and neighborhoods.
In addition to litter picking, volunteers will help with the breakdown of the finish line infrastructure that helped to keep the marathon clean and green.
Your volunteer shift will end no later than 4:00 PM. You’ll receive more instructions over email the week before the event.
We look forward to a day of service with you!
Here is how to sign up for this truly ‘epic’ volunteer opportunity:

To be directed to sign in on the Volunteer Local site click here
Enter your password “BSLT” and the available shifts for your team will appear.
Then simply check your shift and fill in all your pertinent information.

PHOTO CREDITS: William Brown, Luis Escobar, Karen Fenstermaker, Harrison Page, Andrew Tronick, Don Wilcoxon, Steve Zalan

Race for Open Space | May 10
2025-05-10 | Palo Corona Regional Park, 4860 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel, CA, 93923, United States
Each spring people of all ages and fitness levels join Big Sur Land Trust’s Race for Open Space – our largest annual fundraising event – to support healthy lands, healthy people, and healthy communities.
Thanks to our partners at Monterey Peninsula Regional Parks District, California State Parks, Santa Lucia Conservancy, Santa Lucia Preserve every year participants have several options to experience conserved lands that are not usually open to the public. Whether you want to go fast, slow, solo, with a group, or just cheer on your friends, the Race for Open Space has something for everyone!

Palo Corona to Southbank Trail – Fun Run (1mi)
Palo Corona Front-ranch – Lollipop (5k)
Palo Corona to Whisler Wilson Overlook – Out & Back (12k)
Palo Corona to Williams Canyon – Out & Back (25k)
The Lunch Bench Lollipop (35k+)

Learn more >>

Iceplant Removal | May 28
2025-05-28 14:00 - 17:00 | Martin Dunes, Marina, CA, United States
Join BSLT to remove invasive iceplant in an effort to restore and care for Martin Dunes!

Located within the Monterey Bay dune complex, Martin Dunes protects critical habitat for several special status species, including the Monterey spineflower, Smith’s blue butterfly, and Western snowy plover. However, introduced invasive species such as ice plant and annual grasses are prime threats to this native coastal dune system.

Join BSLT staff and volunteers in removing these invasive species to restore and care for the lands we love at Martin Dunes on May 28 (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM). Water, snacks, gloves, and hand tools will be provided. Volunteers will work to manually remove as many satellite populations of iceplant as possible.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS:

There is no shade cover where we pull invasives, so please bring sun protection.
There are ticks, so come prepared with pants and closed-toed shoes. We’ll bring tick repellent for you to use.
You will be hiking strenuously for half a mile on sand.

PLEASE NOTE OUR MEET-UP LOCATION: We will convene in the parking area of the Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge at the end of Neposent Rd. which is a dirt road.
RSVP >>

World Ocean Day 2025 | June 6
2025-06-06 08:00 - 17:00 | Glen Deven Ranch
Join us for expert-led birding on a Monterey Audubon Society field trip at Big Sur Land Trust’s Glen Deven Ranch.
Friday, June 6
8:00am – 5:00pm
Glen Deven Ranch, Carmel
This World Ocean Day, Big Sur Land Trust and the Monterey Audubon Society will come together in the beauty of Glen Deven Ranch for a day of birding and spectacular views made possible by our ocean and the conservation of coastal lands. This event is appropriate for beginning birders and all those interested in learning how to better identify our local breeding birds. The day will begin with an easy, 2.5-mile out-and-back walk along the Ridge Trail and then continue after lunch with a moderate, 4.5 mile out-and-back hike along the Canyon Trail.

Register >>

Big Sur Land Trust Volunteer Orientation | June 12
2025-06-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
A virtual orientation to learn more about Big Sur Land Trust and our volunteer opportunities.

Your dedication to your community is what makes it a vibrant place! You have chosen to become a volunteer with Big Sur Land Trust, and we want us to get better acquainted. Whether you are a new or current volunteer, please join us for this online volunteer orientation.
Through this orientation, you will become more familiar with Big Sur Land Trust’s mission, history, programs, organizational structure, and volunteer opportunities so that you are more fully informed about the organization you hope to so generously support through volunteering. This will also be your chance to interact with staff members and ask questions.
There is nothing you need to do to prepare for this orientation – just join us! However, if you’d like to learn more about who you will hear from, and some of the things you will hear about, here are a few links to peruse:

Our Get Involved! page has links to all the ways you can get involved with Big Sur Land Trust, from making a hike request to submitting a photo. You can also review our volunteer roles and click each to learn more about them.
Check out our upcoming events, including upcoming public volunteer workdays. You can also review past events to get a feel for what we’ve been up to.
Your orientation will be given by Jenny Jacox, Engagement Lead for Big Sur Land Trust. Until you meet personally, you can learn more about Jenny, and all Big Sur Land Trust’s staff members, on our Staff page.
Finally, you can learn about our work and where we (and often, volunteers) are most active by visiting our Where We Work page.

Our work would not be possible without the generosity of our donors and volunteers. Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Big Sur Land Trust. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Register >>

Iceplant Removal | June 14
2025-06-14 10:00 - 13:00 | Martin Dunes, Marina, CA, United States
Located within the Monterey Bay dune complex, Martin Dunes protects critical habitat for several special status species, including the Monterey spineflower, Smith’s blue butterfly, and Western snowy plover. However, introduced invasive species such as ice plant and annual grasses are prime threats to this native coastal dune system.
Join BSLT staff and volunteers in removing these invasive species to restore and care for the lands we love at Martin Dunes on June 14 (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM). Water, snacks, gloves, and hand tools will be provided. Volunteers will work to manually remove as many satellite populations of iceplant as possible.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS:

There is no shade cover where we pull invasives, so please bring sun protection.
There are ticks, so come prepared with pants and closed-toed shoes. We’ll bring tick repellent for you to use.
You will be hiking strenuously for half a mile on sand.

PLEASE NOTE OUR MEET-UP LOCATION: We will convene in the parking area of the Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge at the end of Neposent Rd. which is a dirt road.
Register >>

Iceplant Removal | June 25
2025-06-25 14:00 - 17:00 | River Loop Trail, River Loop Trail, Marina, 93908, United States
In the Monterey Bay dune complex, Martin Dunes protects critical habitat for several special status species, including the Monterey spineflower, Smith’s blue butterfly, and Western snowy plover. However, introduced invasive species such as ice plant and annual grasses are prime threats to this native coastal dune system.
Join BSLT staff and volunteers in removing these invasive species to restore and care for the lands we love at Martin Dunes on June 25 (2:00 PM- 5:00 PM). Water, snacks, gloves, and hand tools will be provided. Volunteers will work to manually remove as many satellite populations of iceplant as possible.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS:

There is no shade cover where we pull invasives, so please bring sun protection.
There are ticks, so come prepared with pants and closed-toed shoes. We’ll bring tick repellent for you to use.
You will be hiking strenuously for half a mile on sand.

PLEASE NOTE OUR MEET-UP LOCATION: We will convene in the parking area of the Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge at the end of Neposent Rd, which is a dirt road.
Register >>

Iceplant Removal | July 12
2025-07-12 10:00 - 13:00 | Martin Dunes, Marina, CA, United States
Join BSLT to remove invasive iceplant in an effort to restore and care for Martin Dunes
Located within the Monterey Bay dune complex, Martin Dunes protects critical habitat for several special status species, including the Monterey spineflower, Smith’s blue butterfly, and Western snowy plover. However, introduced invasive species such as ice plant and annual grasses are prime threats to this native coastal dune system.
Join BSLT staff and volunteers in removing these invasive species to restore and care for the lands we love at Martin Dunes on July 12 (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM). Water, snacks, gloves, and hand tools will be provided. Volunteers will work to manually remove as many satellite populations of iceplant as possible.
Register >>

Iceplant Removal | July 23
2025-07-23 14:00 - 17:00 | Martin Dunes, Marina, CA, United States
Join BSLT to remove invasive iceplant in an effort to restore and care for Martin Dunes
Located within the Monterey Bay dune complex, Martin Dunes protects critical habitat for several special status species, including the Monterey spineflower, Smith’s blue butterfly, and Western snowy plover. However, introduced invasive species such as ice plant and annual grasses are prime threats to this native coastal dune system.
Join BSLT staff and volunteers in removing these invasive species to restore and care for the lands we love at Martin Dunes on July 23 (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM). Water, snacks, gloves, and hand tools will be provided. Volunteers will work to manually remove as many satellite populations of iceplant as possible.
Register >>

Conservation Field Day | July 27
2025-07-27 09:00 - 13:30 | Marks Ranch, 117th Drive, Salinas, CA, 93908, United States
Adventure Scientists is an incredible organization that recently reached out to Big Sur Land Trust when they needed a Central Coast sampling location in support of their California Biodiversity Project. Adventure Scientists specifically engages backcountry backpackers, mountain bikers, trail runners, and hikers in citizen science projects to collect critical data from hard-to-reach places.
Adventure Scientists will be conducting a volunteer day to sample insects at Marks Ranch on Sunday, July 27. BSLT Natural Resources Program Manager Nicole Chrislock will be there to answer any burning ecology questions.
Sign up to join them for a fun day that benefits science >>

Garden Stewardship & Park Prep at Ensen Community Park | August 16
2025-08-16 10:00 - 13:00 | Ensen Community Park, 99 La Posada Drive, Salinas, CA, 93906
Join us for a couple of hours Saturday, August 16 at 10:00 AM to beautify the native plant garden at the brand new Ensen Community Park in Salinas.
This is a great opportunity to get a sneak peek of the park before it officially opens to the public. In addition to light garden stewardship, we’ll also be helping with general site preparation for the Grand Opening celebration happening the next day.
You can carpool with Big Sur Land Trust staff from Monterey.
Located in what we used to refer to as the Carr Lake Project, the Ensen Community Park does not yet have an address. Please use this Google Maps link to navigate to the new parking lot at the corner of La Posada Way and La Posada Drive.
Register >>

Grand Opening of the Neighborhood Park at Ensen Community Park | August 17
2025-08-17 11:00 - 15:00 | Ensen Community Park, 99 La Posada Drive, Salinas, CA, 93906
Join Big Sur Land Trust, the City of Salinas, and the Center for Community Advocacy for the Grand Opening of the Neighborhood Park at Ensen Community Park!When:
Sunday, August 17
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM Where:
99 La Posada Drive
Salinas, CA 93906 Event Parking:
Mount Toro High School
10 Sherwood Place
Salinas, CA 93906 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Download in English | Descargar en español
11:00 AM
- ZUMBA with Martha Grimes (Amphitheater)
- Bird Watching with Monterey Audubon (Meet at Ensen Arch)
11:30 AM
- Overview of 67-Acre Habitat Restoration Project with Rachel Saunders, VP of Conservation (Meet at Ensen Arch)
- Ballet Folklorico Performance by Alisal Center for Fine Arts (Amphitheater)
12:00 PM
- Indigenous Land Blessing with Ohlone/Costanoan Esselen Nation Tribal Chairwoman Louise Ramirez (Amphitheater)
- Bird Watching with the Bird School Project (Meet at Ensen Arch)
- Blue Zones Project Monterey County Fitness Walk/Walking Moai (Meet at Ensen Arch)
12:30 PM
- Formal Speaking Program (Amphitheater)
- Invited Speakers: Jeannette Tuitele-Lewis (CEO/President – BSLT), Joel Hernandez (Executive Director – CCA), Dennis Donohue (Mayor – City of Salinas), Robert Rivas (Speaker of the California State Assembly - pending), John Laird (California State Senator), Gloria Sandoval (Deputy Secretary for Access - California Natural Resources Agency), Armando Quintero (Director - California Department of Parks and Recreation), Amy Hutzel (Executive Officer - California Coastal Conservancy), Dr. Jen Norris (Executive Director- The Wildlife Conservation Board), Colleen Bailey (President/CEO – Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce)
- Emcee: Esmerelda Owen | DJ: Hanif Wondir
1:00 PM
- Formal Speaking Program – Continued (Amphitheater)
- Skate Park Demo with Krown Skate Shop (Skate Spot)
1:30 PM
- Ribbon Cutting with Salinas Valley Chamber (Ensen Arch)
- Skate Park Demo with Krown Skate Shop – Continued (Skate Spot)
- Native Plant Activity with Habitat Stewardship Project (meet near Ensen Arch)
2:00 PM
- Alfred Diaz-Infante Trail Dedication (meet at Ensen Arch)
- Skate Park Demo with Krown Skate Shop – Continued (Skate Spot)
2:30 PM
- Native Plant Activity with Habitat Stewardship Project (meet near Ensen Arch)
- Skate Park Demo with Krown Skate Shop – Continued (Skate Spot) ONGOING ACTIVITIES:
Food & Beverage Trucks (North Parking Lot) — Gorditos Tacos, Tacos el Jerry, Cal Water
Community Resources (North Parking Lot) — Salinas Valley Health Mobile Clinic, Pacific Grove Natural History Museum ‘Wonder on Wheels’, City of Salinas Library Van
Exhibitors: AMOR Salinas, Bird School Project, Blue Zones Project Monterey County, California Conservation Core, Center for Community Advocacy / “Friends of Ensen Community Park” Group, City of Salinas Recreation and Community Services, USFWS – Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge, Habitat Stewardship Project, Hijos del Sol, Hitchcock Animal Services, KAZU, Monterey Audubon Society, Monterey County Health Department, Monterey County Solidarity Network, SPCA, SPCA – Wildlife Center, Urban Arts Collaborative
Basketball and Pickleball Demos with the City of Salinas Recreation Department (Sport Courts)
Facepainting (Lawn near playground)
Playground & Dog Park Open! QUESTIONS?
Please contact Burke Boynton at bboynton@bigsurlandtrust.org.
For more information on the history and funding of the Ensen Community Park project, please click here and review our FAQ document.
EVENT PARTNERS: THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS
Neighborhood Stewards Park Supporters Media & Event Supporters

Iceplant Removal | August 27
2025-08-27 14:00 - 17:00 | Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge Salinas, CA 93908, Salinas, CA, 93908, United States
Join BSLT to remove invasive iceplant in an effort to restore and care for Martin Dunes.
Located within the Monterey Bay dune complex, Martin Dunes protects critical habitat for several special status species, including the Monterey spineflower, Smith’s blue butterfly, and Western snowy plover. However, introduced invasive species such as ice plant and annual grasses are prime threats to this native coastal dune system.
Join BSLT staff and volunteers in removing these invasive species to restore and care for the lands we love at Martin Dunes on August 27 (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM). Water, snacks, gloves, and hand tools will be provided. Volunteers will work to manually remove as many satellite populations of iceplant as possible.
Register >>

Volunteer Orientation | September 4
2025-09-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
A virtual orientation to learn more about Big Sur Land Trust and our volunteer opportunities.
Your dedication to your community is what makes it a vibrant place! You have chosen to become a volunteer with Big Sur Land Trust, and we want us to get better acquainted. Whether you are a new or current volunteer, please join us for this online volunteer orientation.
Through this orientation, you will become more familiar with Big Sur Land Trust’s mission, history, programs, organizational structure, and volunteer opportunities so that you are more fully informed about the organization you hope to so generously support through volunteering. This will also be your chance to interact with staff members and ask questions.
Learn more and register >>

California Biodiversity Day bioblitz | September 6
2025-09-06 09:00 - 12:00 | Marks Ranch, 117th Drive, Salinas, CA, 93908, United States
Big Sur Land Trust will be celebrating California Biodiversity Day 2025 on September 6th at Marks Ranch!
Join our bioblitz volunteers for a morning of ‘iNatting’, collecting iNaturalist observations of the biodiversity found on and under the beautiful Coastal Live Oaks at Marks Ranch. Our observations will contribute to (1) the California Biodiversity Day 2025 project, (2) the “Find 30 Species for CA Biodiversity Day 2025” project, (3) the Big Sur Land Trust iNat project, and (4) the wonderful diversity of life on Coast Live Oak project. Join these projects to make sure your observations support them during the week of California Biodiversity Day (Sept 6-14) and beyond!
Register >>

Iceplant Removal | September 13
2025-09-13 10:00 - 13:00 | Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge Salinas, CA 93908, Salinas, CA, 93908, United States
Join BSLT to remove invasive iceplant in an effort to restore and care for Martin Dunes.
Located within the Monterey Bay dune complex, Martin Dunes protects critical habitat for several special status species, including the Monterey spineflower, Smith’s blue butterfly, and Western snowy plover. However, introduced invasive species such as ice plant and annual grasses are prime threats to this native coastal dune system.
Join BSLT staff and volunteers in removing these invasive species to restore and care for the lands we love at Martin Dunes on September 13 (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM). Water, snacks, gloves, and hand tools will be provided. Volunteers will work to manually remove as many satellite populations of iceplant as possible.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS:

There is no shade cover where we pull invasives, so please bring sun protection.
There are ticks, so come prepared with pants and closed-toed shoes. We’ll bring tick repellent for you to use.
You will be hiking strenuously for half a mile on sand.

PLEASE NOTE OUR MEET-UP LOCATION: We will convene in the parking area of the Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge at the end of Neposent Rd. which is a dirt road.
Register >>

Let's Go Outdoors! Carmel River FREE tour | September 19 (9am-11:30am)
2025-09-19 09:00 - 11:30 | Palo Corona Regional Park, 4860 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel, CA, 93923, United States
Enjoy a 3.5-mile round-trip hike/tour of the Carmel River Floodplain Restoration and Environmental Enhancement (CR FREE) project site, led by Big Sur Land Trust’s Vice President of Conservation, Rachel Saunders.
Big Sur Land Trust’s CR FREE project is one of the most extensive and important multi-benefit flood protection and riparian habitat restoration efforts on the Central Coast. Using a nature-based green infrastructure approach, it will reclaim the southern floodplain to direct water away from developed areas north of the river.
Our hike will be a slow-paced, staff-led tour of this project site.
Register >>

Salinas River Day Celebration | September 20
2025-09-20 09:00 - 16:00 | CA
Saturday, September 20
9:00am – 4:00pm
Nob Hill Foods, Salinas
In honor of Latino Conservation Week, join us on Saturday, September 20 for a field trip to celebrate the Salinas River, which is the backbone of the Salinas Valley.
During the field trip, enjoy a day of recreation, art, exploration and reflection on our public lands. We will also hear from experts about the history, hydrology, ecology, conservation of the Salinas River, and ways to care for the river through nature-based solutions, climate adaptation, and environmental justice.
Register >>

Trail Work at Mitteldorf | September 24
2025-09-24 14:00 - 17:00 | Palo Corona Regional Park, 4860 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel, CA, 93923, United States
Join BSLT to clear trails and remove invasive plants along Headwaters Road at Mitteldorf Preserve.

Headwaters Road at Mitteldorf Preserve is becoming quite overgrown and we would very much appreciate assistance trimming and clearing the trail. This work will keep the trail clear for hikers, remove invasive species, provide safe vehicle access, and act as fire mitigation.

What to expect:

Meet at 2pm at Palo Corona Regional Park near the flagpole
We will hop in a BSLT van and drive together into Mitteldorf and up to the bottom of Headwaters Rd, arriving at approximately 2:30pm
A member of the BSLT Stewardship department will meet us there with gloves, tools, and instructions
We will preform trail brushing for approximately 2 hours before departing Mitteldorf at 4:30, arriving back at Palo Corona at 5pm

Register >>

Iceplant Removal at Martin Dunes | October 11
2025-10-11 10:00 - 13:00 | Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge Salinas, CA 93908, Salinas, CA, 93908, United States
Join BSLT to remove invasive iceplant in an effort to restore and care for Martin Dunes.
Join BSLT staff and volunteers in removing these invasive species to restore and care for the lands we love at Martin Dunes on October 11th (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM). Water, snacks, gloves, and hand tools will be provided. Volunteers will work to manually remove as many satellite populations of iceplant as possible.
Register >>

Native Pollinator Garden Planting at Ferrini Ranch | October 15
2025-10-15 09:00 - 13:00 | The Patch, 2 River Road, Salinas, CA, 93908
Join Big Sur Land Trust and Regenerative CA to plant a half-acre native pollinator garden at Ferrini Ranch.
