At Grassroots Ecology, we help people find joy, purpose, and power in local environmental action. Join us as a volunteer to get your hands dirty, breathe fresh air, and make a difference in your local green spaces to help create a healthy planet!

Perhaps you’ve already joined us as a volunteer at your local park, or maybe you’re ready to sign up for an upcoming event for the first time. We’re here to help you prepare for your next adventure with Grassroots Ecology with a little help from Project Lead, Tyler Feld. Watch his one minute video for how to have a successful day of volunteering with Grassroots Ecology. What to bring? What to wear? You’ll get all the answers:

Need a little more info on how to prepare to volunteer? Here are our 8 tips on how to have a great volunteer day with Grassroots Ecology:

1. Save Your Spot!

We have several volunteer events each week at different parks and preserves throughout San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. Sign up ahead of time through our event calendar and get all of the important information needed to have a successful volunteer day!

Event calendar

2. Getting to the Volunteer Site

Nature can be near or far. Some of our volunteer sites are…far. They can be in remote places that are tricky to find, and do not have cell service. Be sure to look up directions to your volunteer location before heading out and save an offline google map for when you run out of service.

3. Show Off Your Best Outdoor Fashion

Restoring biodiversity requires being prepared for anything out in the field! Make sure you are well prepared for working in remote areas which can mean walking through tall grass, or walking long distances on dirt trails. No matter how hot it is, we recommend wearing long pants, long socks, and closed toed shoes (don’t worry, you can leave your hard hats at home!). Covering up will help prevent plant scrapes or pokes, and will give you better protection from ticks.

4. Prepare for Fun in the Sun!

Many of our volunteer sites require physical work in sunny areas, so make sure you come well protected from sun exposure. You’ll want to wear a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses, and bring your sunscreen along with you to reapply throughout the day. The sun can still cause damage to your skin even if it's not a particularly sunny day, and weather can change quickly. Be sure to come prepared even if it looks cloudy at the start of your volunteer day!

5. Staying Hydrated is Key

Habitat restoration is hard work! Bring a full water bottle for continual access to water throughout the day. Many of our volunteer sites have water refill stations, but not all of them do!

6. Be Aware

There are some inevitable dangers to being out in nature. Many of our volunteer sites have ticks, rattle snakes, and uneven surfaces. Be sure to do regular tick checks throughout the day and when you get home. We'll be sure to let you know if we are entering an area with other hazards.

7. Stay Informed

Weather conditions are subject to change at short notice. Check your email before your volunteer day for any additional event information or cancellation announcements. You can also keep up with everything going on at Grassroots Ecology through our email list.

Sign up for our emails!

8. Make Volunteering Memories

Our volunteer sites are some of the most beautiful natural places in our region! Be sure to bring your smartphone or other camera to capture the beautiful landscapes and remember your experience. If you share any photos online, be sure to tag us @grassrootsecology on Instagram and @grassrootsecologypage on Facebook!

With all of that, you should be set to go to have a great volunteer day. We’ll have everything else you’ll need to volunteer including tools, gloves, and snacks! Sign up at our volunteer calendar for upcoming events around Silicon Valley!

From the Field

8 Tips for a Successful Volunteer Day!