School and Group Programs
Service Learning Opportunities
There are many opportunities for students to volunteer in Northern California. Tools and training are provided for the programs listed below. No experience is necessary to participate in these programs. Select region for volunteer opportunities in your area:
View Northern California volunteer opportunities as a printable PDF.
View sources for service learning opportunities.
North Bay—San Rafael, Santa Rosa, Marin County
View North Bay volunteer opportunities as a printable PDF.
Wild Care: Students age 12 - 17 are welcome.
- Wildlife rehabilitation and nature education
- Winter season commitment
- Work side by side with an adult
Contact: Alison Hermance, Volunteer Manager
(415) 453-1000 x 21
volunteer@wildcarebayarea.org
76 Albert Park Lane, San Rafael, CA 94901
Marin Municipal Water District—Mt. Tamalpais Watershed Habitat Restoration: Students age 8 and up are welcome if accompanied by an adult.
- Watershed stewards restore habitat while taking out invasive weeds along Mt. Tamalpais lakeshores
- Schools are equally encouraged to schedule special habitat restoration events with MMWD
Contact: Volunteer Coordinator
(415) 945-1128
volunteerprogram@marinwater.org
Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD)
220 Nellen Avenue, Corte Madera, CA 94925
Point Reyes National Seashore: Students welcome when accompanied by an adult.
- Help protect endangered species (Snowy Plovers and several native plant species) by taking out invasive plant species
Contact: Volunteer Coordinator/Habitat Restoration Program
(415) 464-5145
POREEcovolunteers@nps.gov
Bear Valley Road, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
Marin Headlands Native Plant Nursery: Students welcome when accompanied by an adult.
- Help grow plants, collect seeds, and maintain the nursery facilities
- Outside, fun, hands-on
- Snacks provided
Contact: Nursery Manager
(415) 332-5193
Marin Headlands
Bldg. 1301, Sausalito, CA 94965
San Francisco
View San Francisco volunteer opportunities as a printable PDF.
Golden Gate Audubon: Students welcome when accompanied by an adult.
- Quail habitat restoration
- Weeding and planting in the Presidio
Contact: Nursery Manager
(415) 332-5193
Marin Headlands
Bldg. 1301, Sausalito, CA 94965
San Francisco Friends of the Urban Forest: Students welcome when accompanied by an adult.
- Tree planting and tree care
- Through "Tree planter" and "Tree care team player" programs
Contact: Ellyn Shea, Volunteer Assistant
(415) 561-6890 x 103
Presidio of San Francisco, Bldg. 1007
Parks Conservancy—Mission Blue Butterfly Habitat Restoration: Students welcome when accompanied by an adult.
- Remove non-native invasive plants
- Cleanup beach
- Learn about wildlife/vegetation monitoring
Contact: Denise Shea, Mission Blue Butterfly Team
(415) 561-4451
fortbakervolunteeres@yahoo.com
Fort Baker, CA
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy—Site Stewardship Project: Students welcome when accompanied by an adult.
- Learn more about California's native plants and how to restore our public lands
- Volunteer in National Park sites throughout the bay area
Contact: Ryan Jones
(415)561-3073
volunteer@parksconservancy.org
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
Bldg. 201, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA 94123
East Bay—Berkeley, Oakland, Walnut Creek
View East Bay volunteer opportunities as a printable PDF.
Golden Gate Audubon Society—Education Office: Students welcome when accompanied by an adult.
- Habitat restoration at Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline Park and the Alameda Wildlife Refuge
Contact: Amiko Mayeno, Education Director
(510) 635-5533
7770 Pardee Lane, Suite 241, Oakland, CA 94621
Youth Action Council—Walnut Creek: Students age 13 - 17 are welcome.
- Student run council which selects, plans, promotes, and participates in volunteer projects
- Ability to support over 30 agencies
- Projects include cleaning creeks, helping sort goods at local food bank, and painting vases for cancer patients
Contact: Joan Tomasini, Program Director
(925) 472-5773
jtomasini@helpnow.org
2401 Shadelands Drive, Ste. 112, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
Save the Bay: Students welcome when accompanied by an adult.
- Wetland restoration projects—collect native plant seeds, grow plants in their nursery, check water quality, and monitor the health of wildlife populations
- Hands-on restoration of San Francisco Bay wetlands near you
Contact: Jocelyn Grety, Community Programs Coordinator
(510) 452-9261 x 109
jgretz@savesfbay.org
350 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Ste. 900, Oakland, CA 94612
South Bay—San Jose, Cupertino, Palo Alto
View South Bay volunteer opportunities as a printable PDF.
Our City Forest: Students welcome when accompanied by an adult.
- Tree planting and care
- Understand, plant, care, and appreciate the urban forest, educate others by doing community outreach
Contact: Ruben Solorio
(408) 998-733
7595 Park Avenue, Ste. 100, San Jose, CA 95110
Magic—Planting for the Second Hundred Years: Students welcome when accompanied by an adult.
- Help plant, protect, and study oaks and other native plants on lands around Stanford
- Learn about local ecology
- Enjoy working outdoors
Contact: Hillary Hug
(650) 323-7333
PO Box 15894, Stanford, CA 94309
Great Central Valley—Sacramento
View Great Central Valley volunteer opportunities as a printable PDF.
Great American River Parkway Foundation: Students under 18 welcome with parental consent and when accompanied by an adult.
- Invasive plant removal
- Tree planting
- Litter cleanup
Contact: Volunteer Coordinator
(916) 456-7423
PO Box 188437, Sacramento, CA 95818
City of Sacramento—Department of Parks and Recreation: Students welcome when accompanied by an adult.
- Plant trees and mulch planter beds
- Enjoy seasonal gardening projects
Contact: Julie Mier
(916) 433-2285
jmier@cityofsacramento.org
915 I Street, 5th Floor, Sacramento, Ca 95814
City of Sacramento Stormwater Management Program: Students welcome when accompanied by an adult.
- Stencil storm drains to protect water quality and aquatic habitat, city wide
Contact: Stormwater Information Line
(916) 433-6369
City of Sacramento, Department of Utilities
1395 35th Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95822
Sources for Service-Learning Opportunities
- www.idealist.org
- www.volunteermatch.org
- www.eelink.net
- Individual non-profits
- The Kid's Guide to Service Projects by Barbara A. Lewis Free Spirit
