What we’re about
We are a group dedicated to the spirit of volunteerism in our beautiful San Luis Obispo County.
If you are a volunteer for an organization, we want to post your events here. If you do not have much time to donate in general, but you do have the desire, then help at these events! If there are fun things to do around the county, we will meet for those as well - don't hesitate to post a suggestion!
We have a shared passion... we can hike, experience a grunion run, go out for dinner, clean a beach, meet and shop for local vegetables at the Farmer's Market, go bird watching, and enjoy the natural ecological diversity of the Central Coast. As the organizer of this group, my dream is that you schedule hikes so other members can join you. Did you want a few people to join you at the Farmer's Market? Post it and ask!
All people with the desire to donate their time and energy to the environment and wildlife deserve to meet, hang out, and do what they are passionate about doing: helping the environment and all those living in it.
Here are some wonderful volunteer groups you may consider joining:
* pacificwildlifecare.org – If you find an injured or orphaned animal, call (805) 543-WILD (543-9453). The mission of Pacific Wildlife Care (PWC) is "to rehabilitate and return to the wild, injured and orphaned wildlife, and to educate our community to value and respect wildlife and the environment we share with them."
* marinemammalcenter.org - If you find an injured or orphaned marine mammal or sea turtle, call (805) 771-8300 or (415) 289-SEAL.
* morrocoastaudubon.org - If you are interested in birding and the environment, check out MCAS.
* elfin-forest.org - Join SWAP (Small Wilderness Area Protection) to help keep the Elfin Forest magical.
* lcslo.org - The Land Conservancy of SLO does amazing work, check out their work at the Pismo Preserve.
* cccmb.org - The mission of Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers (CCCMB) is to expand the network of sustainable and enjoyable trails in SLO County and to maintain the trails currently in use. Since 1987, we have worked with California State Parks, the National Forest Service, San Luis Obispo City, and San Luis Obispo County in designing and building new trails and maintaining existing ones.
**There is information about other volunteer agencies in our message board and files. If you have anything you'd like to share, please go ahead and post the message or send over the file!
***How to post a suggested event -- click on the SUGGEST A NEW MEETUP link. You will need a date, time, and place for it to become official. Once 3 people say "yes" to attending, it will be announced to the group. If the event does not fit within the bounds of this group's purpose, it will be deleted.
***How to limit the number of automatic emails you get. <-- click
As of November 2021, this group is sponsored (monthly dues paid) by JoyDiscovers.com. <-- This is my new side hustle and I would love your feedback on how I can improve it.
Upcoming events (3)
See all- CCSPA Presents: Mind Walks: Ichthyology: Fish and Fish Bones with Dr. AzevedoOak and Otter Brewing Co., San Luis Obispo, CA
CCSPA Presents: Mind Walks: Ichthyology: Fish and Fish Bones with Dr. Terry Joslin Azevedo
https://centralcoastparks.org/ichthyology-fish-and-fish-bones/
Thursday, July 24th, 6:00 PM
Description: Join us at Oak and Otter Brewing Company to learn more about ichthyology: the study of fish! Dr. Terry Joslin Azevedo is going to chat with us about fish, fish bones, and archaeological happenings around the Central Coast. We would love to have you for a night of drinks, fun, and fish!
About the Presenter: Dr. Terry Joslin Azevedo is a principal at Central Coast Archaeological Research Consultants who studies fish bone taxonomic identification and analysis. Her research interests are hunter-gatherer ecology and long-term human-coastal interactions on the central California coast and California’s Channel Islands. Terry received her Bachelor’s of Science in Anthropology and Geography from Cal Poly, before getting a Master’s and PhD in Anthropology from UC Santa Barbara.
Location: Oak & Otter Brewing Company 181 Tank Farm Rd #110, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Time: The presentation begins promptly at 6:00 pm.
Mind Walks: https://centralcoastparks.org/mind-walks/
"Welcome to the Mind Walks Lecture Series! The Mind Walks program, founded by Ray Easton, has been hosted in person for several years in Morro Bay from January to March in collaboration with California State Parks. During COVID, CCSPA and CA State Parks continued these programs virtually as Virtual Mind Walks. COVID gave us the opportunity to expand our topics, audience and speakers as we offered free, online programming opportunities all year long from 2020 to 2022. In 2025, we will host quarterly lectures both in-person and virtually. In-person presentations will take place in San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, and South County locations and virtual presentations will be hosted via Zoom.
Mind Walks feature a variety of subjects from experts covering topics aimed at stretching the mind of the avid lifelong learner. This lecture series offers monthly educational opportunities devoted to recreational, natural, and cultural history topics as they relate to the Central Coast. The Mind Walks Program is underwritten by the Thomas E. and Mary Kathryn Eltzroth fund and supported by the Central Coast State Parks Association.
Speakers are being secured for 2025 presentations! Subscribe to our e-newsletter to be the first to know when presentations are available!"
- CCSPA Presents: Adventures with Nature: Coon Creek Native Plant WalkCoon Creek parking lot, Los Osos, CA
CCSPA Presents: Adventures with Nature: Coon Creek Native Plant Walk
https://centralcoastparks.org/awn/Friday, July 25th, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Join California State Park Volunteer Sally to learn how plant communities thrive along the central coast and maritime environments. Enjoy a 1.5 mile walk along the lush Coon Creek riparian corridor, located at the far south end of Montaña de Oro State Park. Learn how to identify diverse plant species and a bit about the history of this beautiful canyon.
Meeting site: Meet at the farthest south parking lot in Montaña de Oro State Park, located 1 mile south of Spooner’s Cove. Arrive early as parking is limited and may fill up.
Materials: Wear closed toed sturdy shoes with good traction and dress in layers for the coast. Hiking poles are recommended for anyone needing extra stability on the initial steep decline down into the canyon from the parking lot; the rest of the trail this program will cover is relatively flat and considered easy to moderately strenuous. Bring water, camera, and binoculars.
1.5 miles, 2 hours.
*There is limited cell phone service coverage in this area of the park.
# Adventures with Nature
Adventures with Nature Programs are guided walks and talks facilitated by California State Park Staff and Volunteers. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend. These fun, free programs are exploratory in nature, revolving around cultural and natural resources in the coastal California State Parks in San Luis Obispo County. No dogs, please. Rain and/or inclement weather will cancel all outdoor events. For a full list of upcoming events, please check our event calendar.
