Acterra Stewardship provides many volunteer opportunities to restore natural lands and learn about local ecosystems. Volunteering builds muscles, friendships, and biodiversity! There are many ways you can get involved with our Stewardship program:
Interpretive Hikes and Ecology Workshops
Habitat Restoration
NEW! Disney "Give a Day. Get a Disney Day" Program
Habitat Restoration Days at the Pearson-Arastradero Preserve
Wednesday Weed Warriors
San Francisquito Workdays
Redwood Grove Project
"3rd Tuesday" Habitat Restoration Day
Group Workdays
Acterra Stewardship offers a number of hikes and workshops throughout the year. These are a great opportunity to learn about local ecology and explore nature in the Bay Area. Space is limited, so please register in advance.
"Rainwater Harvesting and Rain Barrel Building" Hands-On Workshop
Join us for a fun and informative hands-on rainwater harvesting workshop. We will design and construct a multi-barrel system for collecting rainwater from the roof of a creekside private residence. This rainwater can be used for a number of purposes around the house such as watering plants, washing cars or even flushing toilets. Topics will include but not necessarily be limited to:
- building a raised platform for the barrels for convenience and/or increased water pressure
- assembling multiple barrels in a series
- modifying a downspout
- setting up the overflow pipe
- mosquito abatement
- earthquake safety
Participants will learn about the simple parts and tools needed to build a single or multiple barrel system and will leave with a "how-to" guide, a list of parts and new friends interested in setting up rainbarrel systems. All parts and tools will be provided; wear clothes that can get dirty.
When: Saturday, March 13, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Where: Private residence in Menlo Park (Address will be given to registered attendees prior to the event.)
Cost: $20 for Acterra members, $30 for non-members (Not a member? Join now!) [REGISTER NOW]
Earthshine Night Hike at Arastradero Preserve
Enjoy Arastradero Preserve after dark, and learn about earthshine and other cool astronomical happenings from Astronomer Joe Jordan.
Meet at the Arastradero Preserve Gateway Building for dessert and mingling, and then head out for a moderate climb to a knoll to enjoy the night sky. (NOTE: Cloudy weather will postpone the event until Friday, April 16; call 962-9876 ext. 347 the day of the event if the weather is “iffy.”)
When: Friday, March 19, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm.
Where: Pearson-Arastradero Preserve, Gateway facility [MAP] 
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children [REGISTER NOW]
Please dress warmly and wear comfortable walking shoes. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Claire Elliott, Stewardship Director, at 650-962-9876 x311 or clairee*acterra.org
Enjoy the outdoors while planting natives, weeding non-native species, helping with watering, and taking general care of plants.
The Acterra Stewardship Program welcomes volunteer participants of all ages. Due to staffing limitations, however, we require that one adult volunteer be present at all times for each eight (8) youth volunteers under the age of 18. Acterra Stewardship will not be able to allow the participation of any unaccompanied minors in any of our volunteer activities. Thank you for your understanding and help in keeping our programs safe and organized.
Parents of minors (youth under 18 years of age) must print and sign a waiver. Minors must bring the signed waiver with them. [DOWNLOAD WAIVER] 
We provide tools, gloves, and healthy snacks. Please bring gloves (if you have them), sunscreen, hat, long pants, sturdy shoes (no open-toed shoes, please), a refillable water bottle, and lots of friends!
Acterra Stewardship is a part of the "Disney Give a Day. Get a Disney Day" program, which gives volunteers a 1-day, 1-theme park ticket to the Disneyland® Resort or Walt Disney World® Resort, free. To register for this program and sign up for participating Acterra Stewardship event days, please visit Disney's "Give a Day. Get a Disney Day" Program website.
Restore habitat, enjoy yourself and breathe the fresh air at the lovely Pearson-Arastradero Preserve! 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month (2nd and 3rd in Nov and Dec) from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm unless otherwise noted. No experience is necessary.
We will meet at the Gateway Facility, down the trail from the Pearson-Arastradero Preserve parking lot on Arastradero Road, just north of Page Mill Road. We start promptly at 9:00 am. [MAP]
Restoration workdays are currently being scheduled. Please check back later for an updated schedule of events.
Restore habitat and make new friends on Wednesday afternoons. No registration necessary. For more information, please email stewardship*acterra.org
Every Wednesday from 2:30 pm - Sunset
Saturdays and Tuesdays in fall, winter and spring (Sept. - May); by arrangement during the summer (June - Aug.). Restoration projects will vary according to need but include habitat restoration in creeks, trash cleanup, and erosion control. Workday hours are from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm on Saturdays and 10:00 am - 1:00 pm on Tuesdays unless otherwise noted. Group size is limited to 15. Groups can contact Arnie Thompson at arniet*acterra.org for their own special program dates/hours.
Saturday, March 6
Pope Drive and Woodland Avenue, Menlo Park[MAP]
[REGISTER NOW]
Saturday, April 17
El Palo Alto Park, Palo Alto[MAP]
[REGISTER NOW]
This season's restoration activities will focus on invasive plant removal and installation of native plants. Regular workdays will be held the 2nd and last Saturday of each month from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm unless otherwise noted. Groups can contact Junko Bryant at junkob@acterra.org for their own special program dates/hours.
We will meet in front of the caretaker house at the end of the entry driveway in Redwood Grove. Please carpool (park on Lincoln Avenue, all parking spots are public access), bike, or walk if possible. [PARKING MAP]
March 13, 27, April 10, 20
April 24 - Earth Day celebration
Redwood Grove, 482 University Avenue, Los Altos [MAP]
[REGISTER NOW]
Join us for a morning of habitat restoration activities! "3rd Tuesday" events will be at different locations with different starting times, so please check the following event information carefully. For more information, please email stewardship*acterra.org
Tuesday, March 16
Waverley site (Palo Alto Avenue by bike bridge to Menlo Park), Palo Alto[MAP]
[REGISTER NOW]
We can schedule a workday during the week for your community group, company, school, church, or club. (5+ people). We can accommodate groups of up to 30 people. Activities vary according to need but may include planting, weeding, watering or spreading mulch. This is a great opportunity for team building and community service. Please download the field trip contact form and submit to stewardship*acterra.org [DOWNLOAD FORM]
Volunteer tasks at the Nursery include watering, transplanting seedlings, cleaning seeds and, generally, doing whatever is required to care for and maintain the plants. It's a potential learning experience if you are interested in native plants. Or just use it as an excuse to get outdoors on a week day.
Our volunteer days are Mondays and Thursdays from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. At times, we have a waiting list of prospective volunteers so it is best to call in advance before visiting the Nursery.
The Nursery is located in the Palo Alto foothills. If this sounds like something you might like to do, contact Deanna Giuliano at nursery*acterra.org for directions and further information.
Teen Volunteers: We would like to develop an after-school program for teen volunteers interested in restoring habitat.
Adult Volunteers: If you are looking for volunteering opportunities, and like working with youth and outdoors, we are looking for adult help with our field programs.
Teachers: We are currently seeking funding to work with additional schools. If you are a teacher interested in starting a restoration project at a local park, or planting a pollinator garden, or native habitat at your school, please contact us to discuss possibilities.
If you would be interested in joining any of these programs when they are available, please contact Claire Elliott at clairee*acterra.org