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- Elings Park Transformation ProjectELINGS PARK & DOG RUNS, Santa Barbara, CA
## Santa Barbara Botanic Garden & Channel Islands RestorationElings Park Transformation Project
## Thursday, October 17th, 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.Registration Required:
Sign Up For A ShiftWhen 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 volunteer@cirweb.org 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.
- Lake Piru Volunteer DayLake Piru Recreation Area, Piru, CA
Help Us Restore Lake Piru This October!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 26th!
Join CIR as we host a family-friendly volunteer day at Lake Piru. Our mission? To clear invasive weeds along Piru Canyon Road, the main public access route to Piru Creek and the Los Padres National Forest.Why It Matters
Public roads often serve as entry points for invasive plants, threatening local biodiversity and harming wildlife. By removing these weeds, we can help restore the natural beauty and ecological health of our forest.What’s Happening
- Volunteer Work: Team up with fellow environmental advocates to tackle invasive weeds.
- Educational Talks: Hear from experts about the native ecology of the Piru Creek Watershed.
- Food and Refreshments: Enjoy lunch and snacks on us!
This is your chance to make a tangible difference in preserving our local environment. Bring your enthusiasm and commitment; we’ll provide everything else.
Join us in our effort to protect and nurture a healthy forest!
Directions: From Interstate 5 or Highway 101, take Scenic Highway 126 to Piru and go 6 miles north on Piru Canyon Road.
REGISTER TO JOIN US AT LAKE PIRU!
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 volunteer@cirweb.org for a feature.
