Volunteer in the parks in July to remove invasive weeds and create more habitat for native plants. If you haven’t volunteered with an organization before, we strongly suggest you contact the organizer to verify the date, time, meeting place, and other information as well as to let them know you’re coming. We always recommend wearing long pants and closed-toe shoes with good tread for slopes. Water and sun protection are always good ideas.
Hillside Natural Area (El Cerrito)
When
Wednesdays, July 1, 15, and 29, 5–7 pm
Saturday, July 11, 10 am–12 pm
Sunday, July 26, 10 am–12 pm
Where
We’ll be doing restoration work on Motorcycle Hill in the Hillside Natural Area this summer.
Meet at the bottom of Motorcycle Hill, near the Snowdon Ave entrance to the Hillside Natural Area: 6900 Snowdon Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530.
Sign Up
Please let us know if you’d like to join a stewardship work party, even at the last minute: friendsofthehillside@gmail.com.
What to Bring
If you have not already done so, please print, sign, and bring the City of El Cerrito’s Volunteer Registration and Release of Liability form.
Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, and sturdy closed-toe shoes. This is tick season, so light-colored clothing is recommended. Pants that can be tucked into socks are best, insect repellent can be helpful, and please be sure to check yourself for ticks afterward.
Please bring water and sun protection.
We provide tools. Bring your own gloves if possible; we will have extras available.
Contact Us
friendsofthehillside@gmail.com
More Information
Friends of the Hillside Events
Website: echillsidefriends.org
Facebook: Friends of the Hillside
Instagram: @Hillside_Friends
Join Friends of the Hillside for our biweekly stewardship work parties in this remarkable biodiversity hotspot of coastal oak woodland and grassland in El Cerrito. Together we remove invasive species like French broom, restore native grassland, support native plant regeneration, and build a more fire-resilient and biodiverse landscape. All are welcome, no prior experience needed.
Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve (Oakland)
When
Saturday, July 11, 9 am–12 pm
Where
Meet at the trailhead for the Bay Area Ridge Trail/East Bay Skyline National Recreation Trail, just west of the Old Tunnel Road Staging Area. This meeting place is on the east side of the park. Old Tunnel Road is off Fish Ranch Road east of the Caldecott Tunnel.
What to Bring
Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, and sturdy closed-toe shoes.
If possible, bring your favorite work gloves, but we can loan tools and gloves as needed.
Bring water and sun protection.
Contact Us
If you have questions, email restoration@ebcnps.org.
Join us to weed out French broom (Genista monspessulana) and other invasive exotics on the northeast (Orinda) side of the park. We’ll start our weeding heading south on the Bay Area Ridge Trail to stay in the shade.
Garber Park (Oakland)
When
Saturdays, July 11 and 18, 9 am–12 pm
If your group would like to volunteer at a different date/time, email gpstewards@gmail.com.
Where
Meet at Fireplace Plaza (below the Evergreen Lane entrance to the park), as noted on this map and directions.
Sign Up
Sign up here to volunteer or contact the stewards at gpstewards@gmail.com to let us know you want to attend.
Minors need to bring a completed Volunteer Waiver and Release of Liability signed by their parent or guardian.
What to Bring
Wear a long-sleeve shirt, long pants, and sturdy shoes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Bring water and sun protection.
Volunteers will be walking on uneven and sometimes steep hills and trails.
We provide tools, gloves, and snacks, but you’re welcome to bring snacks or lunch to enjoy in the park after the volnteer event.
Contact Us
gpstewards@gmail.com
Join the Garber Park Stewards twice a month and help restore Garber Park! This 13-acre, City of Oakland park is home to a healthy native oak habitat. Learn how to identify native and non-native plants and how to restore an oak habitat, all while getting to know your community. All skill levels are welcome. Groups are also welcome, so invite your neighbors, friends, and family for a fun day of restoration.
In July, we will focus on lowering fire fuels in the park by removing eucalyptus debris and non-native and invasive plants. Volunteers will also help restore a few sections of the trails to ensure they are accessible for park visitors.
Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve (Oakland)
When
Sunday, July 19, 9:30 am–12 pm
Where
Meet at the main parking lot for Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve on Skyline Blvd just south of Elverton Drive in the Oakland Hills.
When we meet, we’ll decide where to work depending on soil conditions and weeds in flower. We may need to carpool to the worksite, depending on the parking situation.
What to Bring
Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, and sturdy closed-toe shoes.
Bring water and sun protection, and bring your own gloves if you wish. Park staff can provide loaner gloves and tools as needed.
Contact Us
If you have questions, email restoration@ebcnps.org.
The native plant community at Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve is found nowhere else in the East Bay. Join us to enjoy this beautiful botanic preserve on the crest of the Oakland Hills while removing invasive plants.
Albany Hill (Albany)
When
Saturday, July 25, 9–11 am
Where
Email tashorehill@gmail.com for the meeting location.
Sign Up
Email tashorehill@gmail.com to sign up and learn the meeting location.
What to Bring
Wear long pants, socks, and sturdy closed-toe shoes.
Bring water. Also bring gloves and your favorite tools, or ask for loaner gloves and/or tools when you email for this date.
Contact Us
tashorehill@gmail.com
More Information
Learn about nature on Albany Hill at tendancienthill.org.
Enjoy nature in the urban oasis of this little hill in Albany. We have weeding work parties the last Saturday of each month. This month we’ll work on removing ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and other weeds to uncover the diversity of native plants growing here.
—Restoration Committee, CNPS East Bay Chapter
July 2026
