What we’re about
Welcome! We're a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit based in Santa Barbara that hosts volunteer events and trips on both the Channel Islands and the adjacent mainland. If you're looking to help restore the local environment and volunteer in nature, then you're in the right place!
We host a variety of volunteer and educational activities throughout the year including native plant restoration, overnight backpacking trips, bird watching excursions, and opportunities to help educate the public about the importance of our native ecosystems.
From the Los Padres National Forest to the Channel Islands of California, explore and restore with us alongside the company of like-minded friends and our local environmental community!
Be the first to know about upcoming volunteer events when you sign up for our volunteer list at www.cirweb.org/volunteer
We hope to see you out there soon!
Channel Islands Restoration
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Discover The Art of Native Plant Propagation and Nursery ManagementGreenwell Avenue, Summerland, CA
Spend the morning or afternoon with our Restoration Foreman & Nursery Manager, Wyatt McLean, in the lush beauty of Greenwell Preserve, where we'll be nurturing the next generation of native plants. We are also looking for help cleaning up the preserve. Please help support our nursery’s growth and contribute to the active restoration of local ecosystems on our current projects. Our greenhouse nursery is opening its doors to volunteers of all ages and skill levels, offering a unique opportunity to learn and grow with us.
Discover the art of nursery management and gain hands-on experience in:
- Native Plant Propagation
- Soil Composition
- Irrigation
REGISTER TODAY!
You have to register and sign the waiver to attend!
https://cirweb.org/calendar/nursery-day-at-greenwell-preserve-october-3n257Directions
From Santa Barbara, drive southbound on Highway 101 to Summerland and exit north on Padaro Lane. Cross over the freeway and turn left on Via Real. Follow this 0.5 miles to Greenwell Road. Turn right and continue .4 miles north to the Greenwell Preserve parking lot.When You Volunteer With Us Please Remember:
- Wear long, sturdy pants for comfort and safety
- Wear a long sleeve shirt for protection
- Bring sunscreen and a sunhat
- Wear hiking shoes or boots for safety. No flip-flops or sandals allowed
- Bring plenty of water and snacks for the day
- Make sure to sign all required waivers before arrival
Have Photos From Your Volunteer Day?
- Tag @channelislandsrestoration on Instagram.
- Or send your photos to [email protected] for a feature.
- Elings Park Transformation ProjectElings Park, Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden & Channel Islands RestorationElings Park Transformation Project
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Channel Islands Restoration and Santa Barbara Botanic Garden are working together to transform a one-acre plot in Elings Park into a native plant habitat, and we need your help!
Join us for a morning or afternoon shift:
Morning Shift: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Afternoon Shift: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pmDetails: Beginning in the fall of 2023 and running for three years, this restoration project concentrates on California-native plants within a one-acre plot and compares the abundance, diversity, and composition of plant and animal life before and after the transformation. To achieve this work, we’re seeking volunteers to help clear invasive plant species, prepare the site for plantings, plant our projected 1,400 plants, and monitor the progress along the way through varied scientific methods.
Working in partnership with Elings Park and Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, volunteer opportunities will evolve as the project continues.REGISTER TODAY!
You must register and sign the waiver to attend!
https://cirweb.org/calendar/elings-park-november-21When You Volunteer With Us Please Remember:
- Wear long, sturdy pants for comfort and safety
- Wear a long sleeve shirt for protection
- Bring sunscreen and a sunhat
- Wear hiking shoes or boots for safety. No flip-flops or sandals allowed
- Bring plenty of water and snacks for the day
- Make sure to sign all required waivers before arrival
Have Photos From Your Volunteer Day?
- Tag @channelislandsrestoration on Instagram.
- Or send your photos to [email protected] for a feature.
Directions: When you get to the entrance gate, let the attendant know that you're there for the Elings Park Restoration with the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Continue straight up the driveway to the last parking lot where the Elings Park office is located. The far end of this parking lot has a trail head that will take you to the restoration area at the top of the hill.
- Volunteer Day at Hedrick Ranch Nature AreaHedrick Ranch Nature Area, Santa Paula, CA
Join Us for a Volunteer Day at Hedrick Ranch Nature Area!
We're excited to invite you to a special volunteer day at Hedrick Ranch Nature Area (HRNA) hosted by our partner, Friends of the Santa Clara River. Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 1st, 2024, at 9:00 am and join us for a day of community and conservation. Along with supporting the restoration of the Santa Clara River, you can learn more about native riparian wildlife in this area. Our lead for restoration, Holly Wright, will guide the day's activities. These events are held on the first Sunday of every month, offering regular opportunities to get involved.
What to Expect
You'll have the opportunity to participate in enjoyable activities like:- Simple trail maintenance
- Welcome area upkeep
- Invasive plant weeding
We are also seeking a skilled carpenter to assist with important tasks such as repairing the kiosk. Please reach out to us if you are interested to help.
Where to Meet
The entrance is through an open farm gate at 20395 S Mountain Rd, Santa Paula, CA 93060. Please follow the ‘River Event’ signs to the meeting area. Please use caution when driving down South Mountain Road and turning onto the field road. This is an active agricultural area with large trucks and tractors.REGISTER
You have to register and sign the waiver to attend.
https://cirweb.org/calendar/hedrick-ranch-nature-area-novemberAbout Friends of the Santa Clara River
Since its founding, Friends of the Santa Clara River has been dedicated to protecting the entire river across Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. Their efforts include:- Opposing large urban development projects that encroach on the river’s floodplain
- Preventing the channelization of the river
- Conducting detailed analyses and providing testimony during environmental review processes
- Riparian restoration partnerships
- Education and stewardship programs
When You Volunteer With Us Please Remember:
- Wear long, sturdy pants for comfort and safety
- Wear a long sleeve shirt for protection
- Bring sunscreen and a sunhat
- Wear hiking shoes or boots for safety. No flip-flops or sandals allowed
- Bring plenty of water and snacks for the day
- Make sure to sign all required waivers before arrival
Have Photos From Your Volunteer Day?
- Tag @channelislandsrestoration on Instagram.
- Or send your photos to [email protected] for a fea
