Join the Rubio Canyon Preserve Habitat Restoration & Trail Maintenance at Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy
Join AFC and the Friends of Rubio Canyon at the Rubio Canyon Preserve in Altadena! Help maintain the trails at Rubio Canyon to preserve public access, restore impacted areas, and care for this unique and ecologically important landscape. Please bring water, sunscreen, and work gloves. They recommend wearing pants, long sleeves, and sturdy shoes. If available, feel free to bring any of the following tools: McLeod, shovel, bow rake, pick mattock, folding saw, and loppers. Other tools and equipment will be available. Volunteers meet at Rubio Canyon Trailhead at the corner of Pleasantridge Drive and Rubio Vista Road. Street parking is available. Please plan to arrive on time, as the crew will depart shortly after the scheduled start time and may be difficult to locate once on the trail. Cell phone service in the area is limited. Trail maintenance is led by Sean Green. If you have any questions, please email their Program Director, Kyle Cavazos, at kylecavazos@arroyosfoothills.org Registration is required for this event.
Visit the Rosemont Preserve Open Gate at Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy
Join AFC at Rosemont Preserve in La Crescenta! Every month they gather to maintain this special resource for the community and wildlife. Restoration tasks can range from planting new native plants, maintaining the trails and bioswale, and more. Please bring water, sunscreen, and work gloves. They recommend wearing pants, long sleeves, and sturdy shoes. If available, feel free to bring any of the following tools: shovels, spades, loppers, hatchets, clippers. Other tools and equipment will be available. The Preserve is located in La Crescenta at the north end of Rosemont Avenue, just past the chain link fence. Parking is available at Two Strike Park, 5107 Rosemont Ave, where bathrooms are located. Restoration is led by Frank Colcord. If you have any questions, please email Program Director, Kyle Cavazos, at kylecavazos@arroyosfoothills.org
Join the Sycamore Canyon Restoration at Arroyos and Foothils Conservancy
Join AFC at Sycamore Canyon in Glendale! They're working to make this corridor more inviting and healthy for wildlife. Restoration tasks can range from removing invasive species, mulching, and more. Please bring water, sunscreen, and work gloves. They recommend wearing pants, long sleeves, and sturdy shoes. If available, feel free to bring any of the following tools: shovel, loppers, or trowel. Other tools and equipment will be available. The entrance to the Preserve is near 2833 E Chevy Chase Drive. Street parking available. Restoration is led by Tim Martinez. If you have any questions, please email Program Director, Kyle Cavazos, at kylecavazos@arroyosfoothills.org
Join the Sunshine Preserve Habitat Restoration at Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy
Join AFC and the Friends of Sunshine at the Sunshine Preserve in Glendale! Help maintain Sunshine as a sanctuary for biodiversity. Restoration tasks can range from removing invasive species, planting native ones, watering, sheet mulching, and more. Please bring water, sunscreen, and work gloves. They recommend wearing pants, long sleeves, and sturdy shoes. If available, feel free to bring any of the following tools: shovel, hand pruner, or trowel. Other tools and equipment will be available. Volunteers meet at Sunshine Preserve, near 1370 Sunshine Drive. Street parking is available on Sunshine Drive before Sandringham. Restoration is led by Christopher Smee. If you have any questions, please email Program Director, Kyle Cavazos, at kylecavazos@arroyosfoothills.org
Visit the Rosemont Preserve Open Gate at Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy
Spend your Sunday afternoon at the Rosemont Preserve! Enjoy the serene environment of Rosemont Preserve – wander through trails lined with native plants or spend some quiet contemplative time under the beautiful Oak and Sycamore trees. Friends of the Rosemont Preserve Committee members will be available to answer questions and show you this community resource we have worked so hard to protect. Please wear sturdy shoes to walk the trail and bring water. The Preserve is located in La Crescenta at the north end of Rosemont Avenue, just past the chain link fence. Parking is available at Two Strike Park, 5107 Rosemont Ave, where bathrooms are located. No RSVP required to attend.
Join the Cottonwood Canyon Restoration at Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy
Join AFC at Cottonwood Canyon in Pasadena! They're working to keep this critical corridor thriving for wildlife. Restoration tasks can range from removing invasive species, planting native ones, sheet mulching, and more. Please bring water, sunscreen, and work gloves. They recommend wearing pants, long sleeves, and sturdy shoes. If available, feel free to bring any of the following tools: shovel, loppers, or trowel. Other tools and equipment will be available. Volunteers meet at 1966 Linda Vista Avenue, Pasadena. Street parking available – please use caution when crossing Linda Vista as cars drive by quickly around the bend. Restoration is led by Tim Martinez. If you have any questions, please email Program Director, Kyle Cavazos, at kylecavazos@arroyosfoothills.org
Become a Bird Banding Volunteer with Audubon California/ Starr Ranch Sanctuary
Dedicated birders who would like banding experience are invited to apply to become volunteer banders for a MAPS (Mapping Avian Productivity and Survivorship) station at the Starr Ranch Bird Observatory. MAPS is a growing network of hundreds of songbird banding stations in North America run by the Institute for Bird Populations (IBP). Long term banding data from MAPS stations help track changes in populations and migration patterns. In 2005, the organization became part of an international monitoring network that tracks birds in their wintering grounds, MoSI (Monitoreo de Sobrevivencia Invernal) with stations from Mexico to Columbia (and Starr Ranch!). Starr Ranch ornithologists offer beginning and advanced bird banding workshops every several years to train citizen scientists in songbird banding, ageing, and sexing. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Sandy DeSimone (sdesimone@audubon.org) at 949-858-0309.
Become a Songbird Monitor Volunteer with Audubon California/ Starr Ranch Sanctuary
Starr Ranch manages other songbird monitoring projects that utilize volunteer citizen scientists who are trained by ornithologists. Monitoring usually targets rare species and habitats such as coastal sage scrub but we also use songbirds as indicators of restoration success and climate change. New monitoring projects help them make decisions on which invasive plant species they will work to control. Below are some current songbird monitoring projects that utilize citizen science volunteers. Songbirds of Starr Ranch Coastal Sage Scrub, Effects of Coastal Sage Scrub Restoration on Songbirds, Effects of the Streambank Weed, Periwinkle, on Songbirds, Songbird Phenology in Coastal Sage Scrub and Riparian Woodlands. If you would like to volunteer or would like to learn more about Starr Ranch songbird monitoring projects, please contact Sandy DeSimone (sdesimone@audubon.org) at 949-858-0309.
Featured Projects
Assist Animal Nonprofits with Big Sunday at AW@10 (Accessible Wednesday at 10am)
Big Sunday,
passion@bigsunday.org,
(323)549-9944
Big Sunday invites volunteers of all abilities to join our weekly Accessible Wednesday morning program, AW@10, to support local animal rescue efforts. During this session, participants will work together to assemble "Kitty Kits" for feline residents in need at local nonprofit organizations. These activities are specifically designed to be inclusive and accessible, ensuring that everyone—including volunteers with developmental challenges—can participate in the joy of giving back. It is a wonderful opportunity to build community while providing essential supplies to help rescued cats thrive. Metered street parking is available, and a public parking garage is directly across from our building. Participants are encouraged to arrive ready to work as part of a helpful and diverse community. All ages are welcome; volunteers under 12 must be accompanied by a guardian.
Assist Animal Nonprofits with Big Sunday at AW@10 (Accessible Wednesday at 10am)
Big Sunday,
passion@bigsunday.org,
(323)549-9944
Big Sunday invites volunteers of all abilities to join our weekly Accessible Wednesday morning program, AW@10, to support local animal rescue efforts. Volunteers will gather at the Big Sunday headquarters to assemble "Doggie Bags" filled with helpful items for local animal-related nonprofits. This program emphasizes that absolutely everyone has something to give, providing a structured yet fun environment where guests of honor with developmental challenges and the general public can volunteer side-by-side. By preparing these supplies, the community helps ensure that local animal shelters and advocacy groups have the resources they need to care for their resident dogs. Metered street parking is available, and a public parking garage is directly across from our building. Participants are encouraged to arrive ready to work as part of a helpful and diverse community. All ages are welcome; volunteers under 12 must be accompanied by a guardian.
Support Animal Nonprofits with Big Sunday at TM@10 (Thursday Morning at 10am)
Big Sunday,
nicolo@bigsunday.org,
(323)549-9944
TM@10 (Thursday Morning @ 10) is not only one of our favorite programs, but it’s one of our most popular, too! We meet every Thursday morning, from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM. And we host hands-on projects to help local nonprofits. This week, participants will work together to assemble handmade dog toys for animals residing in local shelters. This event offers a social, lighthearted environment where people can meet new neighbors, enjoy some laughs, and create tangible items that improve the quality of life for rescued dogs. It is a perfect way to support animal welfare while being part of a helpful, diverse community. Metered street parking is available, and a public parking garage is directly across from our building. Participants are encouraged to arrive ready to work as part of a helpful and diverse community. All ages are welcome; volunteers under 12 must be accompanied by a guardian. No fee is required to participate, but slots are limited.
Support Animal Nonprofits with Big Sunday at TM@10 (Thursday Morning at 10am)
Big Sunday,
nicolo@bigsunday.org,
(323)549-9944
TM@10 (Thursday Morning @ 10) is not only one of our favorite programs, but it’s one of our most popular, too! We meet every Thursday morning, from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM. And we host hands-on projects to help local nonprofits. This week, volunteers will gather to put together "Dog Care Kits" filled with supplies that support local animal-related nonprofits. This event offers a social, lighthearted environment where people can meet new neighbors, enjoy some laughs, and create tangible items that improve the quality of life for rescued dogs. It is a perfect way to support animal welfare while being part of a helpful, diverse community. Metered street parking is available, and a public parking garage is directly across from our building. Participants are encouraged to arrive ready to work as part of a helpful and diverse community. All ages are welcome; volunteers under 12 must be accompanied by a guardian. No fee is required to participate, but slots are limited.
Support Animal Nonprofits with Big Sunday at TM@10 (Thursday Morning at 10am)
Big Sunday,
nicolo@bigsunday.org,
(323)549-9944
TM@10 (Thursday Morning @ 10) is not only one of our favorite programs, but it’s one of our most popular, too! We meet every Thursday morning, from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM. And we host hands-on projects to help local nonprofits. This week, volunteers are invited to assemble "Cat Care Kits," which are distributed to nonprofits specializing in cat rescue, fostering, and adoption. This event offers a social, lighthearted environment where people can meet new neighbors, enjoy some laughs, and create tangible items that improve the quality of life for rescued cats. It is a perfect way to support animal welfare while being part of a helpful, diverse community. Metered street parking is available, and a public parking garage is directly across from our building. Participants are encouraged to arrive ready to work as part of a helpful and diverse community. All ages are welcome; volunteers under 12 must be accompanied by a guardian. No fee is required to participate, but slots are limited.