Santa Barbara Volunteers: Channel Islands Restoration

To attend, please register here: https://cirweb.org/calendar/ethnobotany-garden-feb-13-2026

9:00 am - 12:00 pm or 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Join us to help plant native plants and remove invasive plants at the San Marcos Foothills Preserve and bring ‘al-tipašumawiš—meaning “one at peace”—to life. Conceived by Chumash elder Ernestine Ignacio De Soto, this ethnobotanical garden will be a living tribute that teaches visitors about the plants the Chumash people have used for generations for food, medicine, and fiber.

All ages welcome; great for families, students, and service groups. No experience needed—training and leadership provided.
This collaborative effort supports our local environment, and we encourage everyone to participate. No prior experience is necessary, and all ages are welcome. We will provide all the necessary tools and equipment, but we recommend bringing water, sunscreen, and a hat.
We look forward to seeing you at the San Marcos Foothills Preserve for this exciting and meaningful event.

Encompassing 301 acres, the San Marcos Foothills Preserve offers extraordinary views of the Santa Ynez Mountains, Pacific Ocean, and the Channel Islands. The Foothills is the feeding ground for hawks, kestrels, kites, roadrunners, coyotes, bobcats, and hundreds of other animal species. It offers nesting locations for dozens of native bird species, and it provides connecting corridors for wildlife to the Los Padres National Forest and the Goleta Slough. The San Marcos Foothills Preserve offers extraordinary views of the Santa Ynez Mountains, Pacific Ocean, and the Channel Islands. The Foothills is the feeding ground for hawks, kestrels, kites, roadrunners, coyotes, bobcats, and hundreds of other animal species. It offers nesting locations for dozens of native bird species, and it provides connecting corridors for wildlife to the Los Padres National Forest and the Goleta Slough.

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

To attend, please register here: https://cirweb.org/calendar/ethnobotany-garden-feb-13-2026

Join our Great Backyard Bird Count at San Marcos Foothills West Mesa.

You must register to attend: https://cirweb.org/calendar/san-marcos-bird-count-2026

The Audubon Society encourages citizen science by supporting bird counts throughout the year. In past years, CIR, in order to expand our parallel effort, uses this opportune time to provide a guided bird walk that starts at the main gate, past Coyote Creek, up to the highest part of the preserve, and then back down to the main gate, tallying bird species as we go.

This year's spring bird walk is on the President's Day weekend. Although it is typically done on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, we will be hosting the CIR GBBC on Saturday only from 9:00 until Noon. Bring your binoculars, water, and snacks, along with any bird ID materials. We often spy over 20 species in a short amount of time. You don't have to be an expert to have some fun.

Where: San Marcos Foothills, West Mesa (1099 Via Gaitero, Santa Barbara, CA 93110)

When: Saturday, February 14th, 2026, from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Why The Bird Count?: Not only is the bird count a fun way to spend a few hours, but it will help serve the greater good for community research. Bird populations are constantly changing, so to better understand how to protect birds and their habitats, we continuously collect data.

You must register to attend: https://cirweb.org/calendar/san-marcos-bird-count-2026

You must register to attend: https://cirweb.org/calendar/elings-park-feb-14-2026

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!

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Details: Running for the past 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 progress along the way using a variety of scientific methods.
Working in partnership with Elings Park and Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, volunteer opportunities will evolve as the project continues.

Sign Up To Volunteer

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.

Directions: When you reach the entrance gate, let the attendant know 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 trailhead that will take you to the restoration area at the top of the hill.

You must register to attend: https://cirweb.org/calendar/santa-clara-river-preserve-volunteer-day

The Santa Clara River Preserve spans almost two miles of this amazing waterway and encompasses nearly 1,000 acres of upland habitat and riverbed.

Only a few locations along the Santa Clara River are accessible to the public. Now that this preserve is open, TNC has provided a beautiful space for outdoor education, community gatherings, wildlife viewing, and hiking. On the preserve, we want to give everyone a chance to connect with the dynamic Santa Clara River.

Channel Island Restoration is helping to take care of the Preserve with TNC. Come volunteer with us to be part of the solution!
All ages and skill sets are welcome, and the site is ADA-friendly. Restrooms are available on site.

To find more information about bird watching and guided hikes on their website at Santa Clara River Preserve: Visitor information I TNC

VOLUNTEER

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.

You must register to attend: https://cirweb.org/calendar/santa-clara-river-preserve-volunteer-day