Local Sustainability Summer Workshops, Volunteering & Regional Events

Published on June 06, 2024

Dive into Summer Sustainably

Dive into summer with a sustainable twist! Enjoy a calendar filled with eco-friendly workshops and events to inspire your path to live sustainably. Engage with local experts, meet community members who share a common interest in planetary health, and expand your knowledge of sustainable resources. Join Palo Alto in growing a greener community, one sustainable step at a time. Discover these events and more on the City Calendar.

Upcoming Opportunities

Climate Protection Working Group Meeting | Wednesday, June 19 | 3:30 p.m. – 05:00 p.m. | Hybrid

Please join us for the next Climate Protection Working Group meeting of the Climate Protection Ad Hoc Committee to discuss the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Funding Study and the Reliability and Resiliency Strategic Plan. This will be a hybrid meeting, with an in-person opportunity in the Community Meeting Room on the Palo Alto City Hall ground floor, and a Zoom option. Learn more.

Fifth Palo Alto Airport Long-Range Facilities & Sustainability Meeting | Thursday, June 20 | 6:00 p.m. – 08:00 p.m. | Baylands Café @ Baylands Golf Links

The City will be hosting its fifth public meeting for the Long-Range Facilities and Sustainability Plan (LRFSP) for the Palo Alto Airport. The LRFSP aims to determine the extent, type, and schedule of improvements needed for the next 20 years at the Airport. Learn more.

Compost Workshop | Saturday, June 22 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Lucie Stern Community Center, Community Room

Bring out your garden's inner jungle! Learn how easy it is to make your own compost at one of our free compost workshops. Palo Alto residents can receive a free compost bin or worm bin (one per household) by attending a compost workshop. Compost bins are available while supplies last. Learn more and register.

Palo Alto Wildfire Preparedness Community Webinar | Tuesday, June 25 | 05:00 p.m. to 06:00 p.m. | Zoom

Join us at this Wildfire Preparedness Meeting to improve the safety of our community! Learn vital tips and strategies to protect your home and loved ones from the threat of wildfires. Your participation can make a significant difference—together, we can be ready and resilient. Don't miss this opportunity to stay informed and prepared. Mark your calendar and join us for this crucial event! Zoom link on website. Learn more.

Young Tree Care Survey Training and Kick-Off | Saturday, June 29 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Palo Alto, CA

Every summer Canopy volunteers and partners explore Palo Alto’s neighborhoods to survey the health of hundreds of young street trees. Young trees require extra care, especially regular watering, to ensure their survival in the urban environment. Contact volunteer@canopy.org to learn how you can get involved with the Young Tree Care Survey, a citizen science project. Learn more.

Household Hazardous Waste Station | Saturday, July 6, 13, 20 and 27 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | 2501 Embarcadero Way

The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Station provides Palo Alto residents with an environmentally safe, convenient way to dispose of unwanted hazardous household products such as used or expired medication, paints, solvents, fuels, cleaners, pesticides, etc., which contain hazardous substances. The HHW Station is open rain or shine. Learn more.

BIPOC Native Plant Nursery Event | Thursday, July 11 | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Palo Alto Baylands Nursery

This volunteer program is an affinity space for folks that identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color) and is led by staff that identify as BIPOC. Save the Bay is a Bay Area environmental non-profit working to protect and restore the San Francisco Bay for people and wildlife. One of the ways we strive to meet our mission is through community-based stewardship led by our Habitat Restoration Team. Our Native Plant Nursery at the Palo Alto Baylands Preserve grows up to 20,000 plants per year that will eventually be planted out to one of our several restoration sites along the shoreline of the Bay. In volunteering with our Native Plant Nursery you’ll have the opportunity to connect with the diversity of plants and people that make the Bay Area so special. Learn more and register.

Tree Walk: Edible Urban Forest | Saturday, July 13 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Palo Alto, CA

Join Canopy for an Edible Urban Forest Tree Walk in Palo Alto to learn about a variety of trees with edible flowers, leaves, and fruits! Learn more and RSVP here.

Master Gardeners: Top Ten Habits of Happy and Successful Gardeners | Sunday, July 14 | 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Rinconada Library

Are the weeds winning the battle in your garden? Do you struggle to keep everything watered? Gardening should be relaxing and enjoyable, yet sometimes it can feel like a battle against the elements. Join Master Gardener Sharon Erickson to learn some of the habits common to happy and successful home gardeners. Learn more.

Queer Native Plant Nursery Event | Thursday, July 18 | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Palo Alto Baylands Nursery

This volunteer program is an affinity space for folks that identify as LGBTQ+ and is led by staff that identify as Queer. Save the Bay is a Bay Area environmental non-profit working to protect and restore the San Francisco Bay for people and wildlife. One of the ways we strive to meet our mission is through community-based stewardship led by our Habitat Restoration Team. Our Native Plant Nursery at the Palo Alto Baylands Preserve grows up to 20,000 plants per year that will eventually be planted out to one of our several restoration sites along the shoreline of the Bay. In volunteering with our Native Plant Nursery you’ll have the opportunity to connect with the diversity of plants and people that make the Bay Area so special. Learn more and register.

Municipal Service Center (MSC) Open House | Saturday, July 27 | 10:00 a.m. to 02:00 p.m. | City of Palo Alto Municipal Service Center

The City is hosting an Open House at the Municipal Service Center (MSC) to showcase some of the “behind the scenes” work that we do for the community. Enjoy demonstrations and displays, delicious food from attending food trucks (Old Greenwood BBQ and Camila's Tacos), free ice cream from Mister Softee, an electric vehicle expo, music, and other activities. Don’t forget to bring your reusable water containers and consider biking, walking, carpooling, or taking transit for your health and the environment. Learn more.

Compost Workshop | Saturday, July 27 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Lucie Stern Community Center, Community Room

Native Plant Nursery Event | Thursday, August 1 | 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Palo Alto Baylands Nursery

Save the Bay is a Bay Area environmental non-profit working to protect and restore the San Francisco Bay for people and wildlife. One of the ways we strive to meet our mission is through community-based stewardship led by our Habitat Restoration Team. Our Native Plant Nursery at the Palo Alto Baylands Preserve grows up to 20,000 plants per year that will eventually be planted out to one of our several restoration sites along the shoreline of the Bay. In volunteering with our Native Plant Nursery you’ll have the opportunity to connect with the diversity of plants and people that make the Bay Area so special. Learn more and register.

Household Hazardous Waste Station | Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 | 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Friday and 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Saturdays | 2501 Embarcadero Way

Regional Opportunities

Habitat Restoration Internship Info Session | Thursday, June 13 | 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Zoom

Grassroots Ecology’s 10-month paid habitat restoration internship allows emerging professionals to explore the environmental conservation career path through hands-on fieldwork, community engagement, and in-depth training. Learn more about the Habitat Restoration Internship by attending this virtual informational session. Learn more and register.

Plant-Based Dairy Tasting | Saturday, June 15 | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Los Altos Community Center

Looking for ways to incorporate plant-based ingredients in your diet? Join Clorofil and Acterra for a Plant Based Dairy workshop and tasting. You are invited to the Los Altos Community Center Birch room on June 15 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. where you will learn the best substitutions for plant-based milk, butter, cheese, yogurt and ice cream for your favorite recipes! Learn more and register.

Volunteer at Shoreline at Mountain View | Saturday, June 15 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Mountain View Shoreline

Volunteer with Grassroots Ecology to restore upland marsh transition zone habitat for local wildlife. Expect to learn about the ecology of our local baylands and participate in various ways of taking care of our public lands. During the workday, we will be removing invasive plants and sheet mulching! Learn more and register.

Dads & Dogs 2024 – Father's Day Family Ride | Sunday, June 16 | 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Red Rock Coffee, Mountain View

This Father's Day, make new memories with Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition and Independent Therapy Dogs, Inc. Grab your wheels, let's rock and roll out! We'll hop on our bikes and r ide from Red Rock Coffee in downtown Mountain View to Cuesta Park, where we'll have frisbee, hacky sack, soccer, bubbles, and adorable, certified therapy dogs (thanks to Independent Therapy Dogs, Ltd.). Learn more.

Stevens Creek Trail Trash Cleanup | Saturday, June 22 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | McClellan Ranch Preserve, Cupertino

Volunteer to restore upland marsh transition zone habitat for local wildlife with Grassroots Ecology. Expect to learn about the ecology of our local baylands and participate in various ways of taking care of our public lands. During the workday, we will be removing invasive plants and sheet mulching! Learn more and register.

Electrify Your Home... It’s Easier Than You Think | Thursday, June 27 | 6:00 p.m. | San Bruno Public Library

Join 350 Silicon Valley, featuring new full service electric installation services, latest rebates, how to avoid panel upgrades and other pricey pitfalls that can zap your budget. Learn more.

Volunteer Outdoors at Ravenswood Open Space Preserve | Saturday, June 29 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Cooley Landing Education Center, East Palo Alto

Join Grassroots Ecology Saturday morning at Ravenswood Open Space Preserve for a time of community and restoration. No prior experience required! We'll spend our time together walking on the Bay Trail and weeding along the marshland. Volunteers can expect to move and work in a flat area. We will be kneeling and bending over while weeding, and we will each carry gardening tools and buckets of weeds. Learn more and register.

Belle Haven Neighborhood Canvassing for Home Preservation and Free Trees | Saturday, June 29 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Menlo Park Community Center

Canopy and Habitat GSF are joining forces to promote Canopy's Branching Out program and Habitat GSF's Home Preservation program for Belle Haven residents. In this historically red-lined and culturally diverse Menlo Park enclave, volunteers will walk door to door to hand out information about these services available to low-income homeowners. Join us for a leisurely Saturday stroll through this family neighborhood while supporting greening initiatives and affordable homeownership in San Mateo County. Find more information and sign up to volunteer here.

Past Opportunities

Native Plant Nursery Event | Thursday, June 6 | 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Palo Alto Baylands Nursery

Save the Bay is a Bay Area environmental non-profit working to protect and restore the San Francisco Bay for people and wildlife. One of the ways we strive to meet our mission is through community-based stewardship led by their Habitat Restoration Team. Their Native Plant Nursery at the Palo Alto Baylands Preserve grows up to 20,000 plants per year that will eventually be planted out to one of our several restoration sites along the shoreline of the Bay. In volunteering with their Native Plant Nursery you’ll have the opportunity to connect with the diversity of plants and people that make the Bay Area so special. Learn more and register.

Household Hazardous Waste Station | Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8, 15, 22 and 29 | 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday and 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Saturdays | 2501 Embarcadero Way

Invasive Species Action Week at the Palo Alto Baylands | Saturday, June 8 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Palo Alto Baylands

Join Save the Bay for Invasive Species Action Week at Palo Alto Baylands to help us clear invasive plants to make room for natives. Native plants are the backbone holding the earth at the Palo Alto Baylands together and the invasive species we will be pulling threaten to crowd them out and deprive all of the species (including humans!) that benefit from healthy salt marshes. Learn more and register.

Volunteer at Pearson-Arastradero Preserve |Saturday, June 8 | 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Pearson-Arastradero Preserve

Join Grassroots Ecology to work in habitat restoration areas to care for native plants and prepare new areas to plant next year. Activities will be sheet mulching, bucket watering, and weeding. These activities support biodiversity at the preserve! Learn more and register.

Volunteer at Southgate in Palo Alto | Saturday, June 8 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Southgate Neighborhood

Join Grassroots Ecology to volunteer at the bioretention area - an innovative type of green infrastructure that naturally filters stormwater runoff and improves water quality - located in the Southgate neighborhood of Palo Alto. Learn more and register.

Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) Basic Bike Repair | Thursday, June 6 | 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition

SVBC will teach you all the basics of fixing your bike so it is safe to ride! This hands-on, in-person, skill-building workshop empowers you to repair and maintain your own bike. The 2.5 hour class is open to ages 14 and up. You are encouraged to bring your own bike to learn and work on! Learn more and register.

Habitat Restoration Internship Info Session | Friday, June 7 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Zoom