Volunteering in Open Space

Volunteering is a wonderful way to get to know your preserves better. Your help is always needed, whether as a group, a family, or an individual. We can usually find something to suit the abilities and interests of you or your group. Projects range from habitat restoration to building small structures to trail maintenance to trash pickup.

Each preserve has a stewardship partner that organizes volunteer activities. Contact them directly to sign up.

Impact of Volunteering

The City of Palo Alto contracts with Grassroots Ecology and Save the Bay as stewardship partners. Based on this analysis by Grassroots Ecology, the city gets a return of 2.5 times its investment in the contract. That is thanks to our partner organizations and to you, the volunteer. We can't do it without you.

Baylands

  • Save the Bay organizes habitat restoration activities in the Baylands. Visit Save The Bay's website to see their calendar of events.

Foothills Nature Preserve

  •  Grassroots Ecology is the stewardship partner for Foothills Nature Preserve. They oversee restoration of the wildlands and control non-native invasive species. Individuals, families and groups are welcome to join in. Group workdays made by special arrangement, such as corporate team building, are also available. Visit Grassroots Ecology's website for more information and to RSVP. 

Pearson - Arastradero

  • Grassroots Ecology's Arastradero Preserve Stewardship Project conducts habitat restoration activities to restore degraded habitat and to control non-native weeds. Regular workdays are on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (may vary near holidays). Visit Grassroots Ecology's website for more information and to RSVP.

Other

  • If you have ideas for some other project, give us a call and let's talk about it. Call the Baylands Ranger Station at 650-617-3156 or Foothills Nature Preserve at 650-329-2423.