Iceplant Removal | September 13
2025-09-13 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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

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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.

Trail Work at Mitteldorf | October 22
2025-10-22 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 Williams Canyon at Mitteldorf Preserve.
Williams Canyon at Mitteldorf Preserve is becoming 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.
Register >>

Let's Go Outdoors! San Jose Creek 2-mile hike | October 24 (9am - 2pm)
2025-10-24 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.
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.

Distance: 2 miles
Elevation: 150′ total ascent
Difficulty: Easy
Pace: Easy

Please note:

Each participant must be individually registered (including kids, who need to be accompanied by an adult).
Transport from the meet-up location to the trailhead (approx. 10 min drive) will be by facilitated carpool.

CAUTION: 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.
Register >>

Iceplant Removal | November 8
2025-11-08 10:00 - 13:00 | Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge Salinas, CA 93908, Salinas, CA, 93908, United States
Join BSLT staff and volunteers in removing these invasive species to restore and care for the lands we love at Martin Dunes on November 8th (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.

Monterey Bay Half Marathon BSLT Green Team | November 9
2025-11-09 09:30 - 14:30 | CA
Big Sur Land Trust is proud to be among the over 50 community groups that volunteer to make the Monterey Bay Half Marathon a sustainable and eco-friendly event each fall. This partnership is a joyful part of our work for healthy lands, healthy people, and healthy communities.
On Sunday, November 9 volunteer on the Monterey Bay Half Marathon’s ‘Green Team’ on behalf of Big Sur Land Trust, as we help the event ‘leave no trace’ by sweeping the start/finish and entire course of litter. Please sign up here using the password BSLT.
Kids are welcome (they do not need an RSVP) but must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteers should bring snacks, lunch, water, and sun protection.
Register here >>

Let's Go Outdoors! Williams Canyon to Rancho Cañada | November 17 (8am - 5pm)
2025-11-17 08:00 - 17:00 | Palo Corona Regional Park, 4860 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel, CA, 93923, United States
Join Big Sur Land Trust for a guided hike from the Williams Canyon parking meadow to Palo Corona Regional Park’s Rancho Cañada Unit.
Join Big Sur Land Trust on a guided hike from the Williams Canyon parking meadow to Palo Corona Regional Park’s Rancho Cañada Unit. We will traverse 8.5 miles (including three creek crossings) and climb over 1500 feet through Santa Lucia Conservancy land and Palo Corona Regional Park’s backcountry and front ranch. We will spend much of the day on lands not open to the public that are part of Big Sur Land Trust’s 45-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.
Bring: A picnic lunch and plenty of water, plus everything you need for a day of strenuous backcountry hiking. There will be creek crossings, so be prepared to get your feet wet! Sturdy closed-toe hiking shoes are required, and layers are recommended.

Distance: 8.5 miles
Elevation: 1500 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous. Hikers should expect creek crossings and plenty of climbing and descent along this beautiful backcountry route.

Please note:

Each participant must be individually registered (including kids, who need to be accompanied by an adult).
Hikers must be 15+ years of age.
Transport from the meet-up location to the trailhead (approx. 20 min drive) will be by facilitated carpool.
Please leave 4-legged friends at home (dogs are not permitted on BSLT guided hikes).

CAUTION: 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.
Register >>

Big Sur Land Trust Volunteer Orientation | December 4
2025-12-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
A virtual orientation to learn more about Big Sur Land Trust and our volunteer opportunities.
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 >>

Let's Go Outdoors! Carmel River FREE tour | March 20 (9am-11:30am)
2026-03-20 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 of the CR FREE project site, led by Big Sur Land Trust’s Vice President of Conservation, Rachel Saunders.
Big Sur Land Trust’s Carmel River Floodplain Restoration and Environmental Enhancement (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.
Please note that minors will need to be accompanied by an adult. Please leave four-legged friends at home. Thank you!
Bring: Everything you will need for a gentle walk. Closed-toed hiking shoes and layers are strongly recommended.
Walk details:

Distance: 3.5 miles
Total ascent: 130 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Dirt trail (non-technical)

Register >>

Let's Go Outdoors! Carmel River FREE tour | March 20 (10am-12:30pm)
2026-03-20 10:00 - 12:30 | Palo Corona Regional Park, 4860 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel, CA, 93923, United States
