Iceplant Removal at Martin Dunes | October 11
2025-10-11 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.
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
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 >>

Monthly Park Clean-up | November 15
2025-11-15 10:30 - 11:30 | Ensen Community Park, 99 La Posada Drive, Salinas, CA, 93906
Let’s come together once a month to clean up our local park and make our community a better place for everyone!

Monthly Park Clean-up
Join Big Sur Land Trust and Friends of Ensen Community Park Volunteers for our Monthly Park Clean-up at Ensen Community Park!
Let’s work together to keep our local green space beautiful and clean. This is a great opportunity to meet your neighbors, get some fresh air, and hear updates on the restoration project. We will provide gloves and tools. Let’s make a difference together!
Register >>

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 >>

Monarch Butterfly Habitat Restoration | January 9
2026-01-09 10:00 - 15:00 | Marks Ranch, 117th Drive, Salinas, CA, 93908, United States
Join us to plant milkweed plants and install fencing to benefit Monarch butterflies and improve habitat for native pollinators!

With the guidance and oversight from BSLT staff, help us enhance our monarch butterfly habitat restoration project at Marks Ranch! We will be planting milkweed plants and installing fencing to protect the plants.
RSVP >>

Monarch Butterfly Habitat Restoration | January 10
2026-01-10 10:00 - 15:00 | Marks Ranch, 117th Drive, Salinas, CA, 93908, United States

Trail Work at Mitteldorf Preserve | January 28
2026-01-28 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 at Mitteldorf Preserve.

1,100 acre Mitteldorf Preserve is always in need of a little love! We will walk the lower sections of the preserve, clearing the trails of debris and pulling any invasive species that we can identify. This work will keep the trails clear for hikers, provide safe vehicle access, and act as fire mitigation.
RSVP >>

Floodplain Habitat Stewardship Day/Cuidado de la Llanura de Inundación | February 7
2026-02-07 09:30 - 14:00 | Ensen Community Park, 99 La Posada Drive, Salinas, CA, 93906
Help restore Ensen Community Park!
Join us for a hands-on volunteer effort at Big Sur Land Trust’s Floodplain Restoration Project site in Ensen Community Park! Volunteers will have a unique opportunity to enter the restoration area — currently closed due to construction — to learn about ongoing habitat improvements and help with essential weeding and clean‑up efforts.
Register >>

FULL! Sticky Eupatorium Pull at Mitteldorf Preserve | February 14
2026-02-14 10:00 - 14:00 | Mitteldorf Preserve
Enjoy the day at the beautiful Mitteldorf Preserve! Come explore, hike, and help Big Sur Land Trust staff eradicate sticky eupatorium within the nature loop area, around the lodge, and off Williams Canyon Road.
Sticky eupatorium (Ageratina adenophora) is a federally-listed noxious weed that is invasive within Monterey County. It invades coastal and mountain habitats, especially within riparian areas. This plant can out-compete native vegetation and form dense thickets, altering the natural habitat and crowding out waterways.
Register >>

Great Backyard Bird Count with Monterey Audubon Society | February 16
2026-02-16 09:00 - 11:00 | Ensen Community Park, 99 La Posada Drive, Salinas, CA, 93906
Join us for this Monterey Audubon–Friends of Ensen collaboration! We’ll have the opportunity to scan the skies for raptors, check on the new landscaping plants, and explore the wild, native plant area. This trip will introduce participants to various resources that are available to learn about birds, commonly seen local birds and tips and tricks to identify them, plus guidance on how to locate and observe birds no matter where you are! Register >>

Monthly Park Clean-Up | February 21
2026-02-21 10:30 - 11:30 | Ensen Community Park, 99 La Posada Drive, Salinas, CA, 93906
Join Big Sur Land Trust and Friends of Ensen Community Park Volunteers for our Monthly Park Clean-up at Ensen Community Park! Let’s work together to keep our local green space beautiful and clean. This is a great opportunity to meet your neighbors, get some fresh air, and hear updates on the restoration project. Register >>

Trail Work at Mitteldorf Preserve | February 25
2026-02-25 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 at Mitteldorf Preserve.

1,100 acre Mitteldorf Preserve is always in need of a little love! We will walk the lower sections of the preserve, clearing the trails of debris and pulling any invasive species that we can identify. This work will keep the trails clear for hikers, 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 carpool to Williams Canyon Parking Lot and then work our way up the canyon, clearing the trail and pulling invasive species along the way
The hike will be no more than 4 miles with minimal elevation change
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 >>

Big Sur Land Trust Volunteer Orientation | March 5
2026-03-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Through this virtual 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.
Register >>

Trail Work at Mitteldorf Preserve | March 14
2026-03-14 10:00 - 13:00 | Palo Corona Regional Park, 4860 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel, CA, 93923, United States
Join BSLT to clear trails and remove invasive plants at Mitteldorf Preserve.

1,100 acre Mitteldorf Preserve is always in need of a little love! We will walk the lower sections of the preserve, clearing the trails of debris and pulling any invasive species that we can identify. This work will keep the trails clear for hikers, provide safe vehicle access, and act as fire mitigation.
What to expect:

Meet at 10am at Palo Corona Regional Park near the flagpole
We will carpool to Williams Canyon Parking Lot and then work our way up the canyon, clearing the trail and pulling invasive species along the way
The hike will be no more than 4 miles with minimal elevation change
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 1:30, arriving back at Palo Corona at 1pm

Register >>

JOIN WAITLIST! 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 >>

Williams Canyon to Rancho Cañada Earth Day Hike | April 22
2026-04-22 08:00 - 17:00 | Palo Corona Regional Park, 4860 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel, CA, 93923, United States
Join Big Sur Land Trust for a 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.

Register >>

SOLD OUT! Race for Open Space 2026 | May 9
2026-05-09 | Palo Corona Regional Park, 4860 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel, CA, 93923, United States
SOLD OUT! While the race itself is sold out, you can still spend a meaningful day at Palo Corona Regional Park by volunteering at this year’s Race for Open Space. Volunteer opportunities >>

Each spring, people of all ages and fitness levels join Big Sur Land Trust’s Race for Open Space—our largest annual community event. In 2025, over 300 runners, hikers, and walkers joined us to raise funds for the lands we all love in Monterey County.
This year, the event will continue to offer multiple courses to experience conserved lands that are not usually open to the public. Whether you want to go deep into the backcountry, take it easier along shorter courses, run solo, walk with a group, or just cheer on your family and friends, the Race for Open Space has something for you!

SOLD OUT! Palo Corona to South Bank Trail 1-mile Fun Run
SOLD OUT! Palo Corona Front Ranch Lollipop 5K
SOLD OUT! Palo Corona to Whisler Wilson Out-and-Back 12K
SOLD OUT! Palo Corona to Williams Canyon Out-and-Back 25K
SOLD OUT! Lunch Bench Lollipop 35K+

Thanks to our continued partners at Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District, Inside Trail, and Alvarado Street Brewery.
Learn more >>

San Jose Creek 2-mile Hike | May 23
2026-05-23 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

Register >>

Big Sur Land Trust Volunteer Orientation | June 4
2026-06-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
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.
Register >>

Carmel River FREE Tour | September 25
2026-09-23 09:00 - 12:00 | Palo Corona Regional Park, 4860 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel, CA, 93923, United States
