Volunteer Opportunities on the Watershed

Volunteers play a critical role in maintaining the scenic beauty and biological richness of the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed. From improving trails to restoring habitat, MMWD has a variety of volunteer opportunities available to match your skills, interests, and available time.

Please pre-register for each event so we will be prepared with ample tools, staff and snacks!

Dress for changing weather and bring a hat, sunscreen, work shoes, your lunch, a water bottle and lots of friends! Long pants and long sleeves help protect against natural hazards. We provide tools, gloves, snacks, water, instruction and inspiration.

For further information about our volunteer events, to pre-register for an event or to schedule a special event, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at (415) 945-1128 or e-mail volunteerprogram@marinwater.org.

If you would like to receive e-mail updates of volunteer events, please click here to join our volunteer list or any of our other e-mail lists.

September Events

Trail Crew / Project Restore
Azalea Meadow Trail
Satuday, September 11, 2010, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Please join us as we improve and re-route sections of Azalea Meadow Trail. Explicit trail connections and signage help mark official trails and minimize the likelihood of people getting lost. A district vehicle will shuttle volunteers to the work site. We will meet at 9 a.m. at the Lagunitas Picnic Area parking lot, located at the end of Sky Oaks Road, off Bolinas Road in Fairfax.

Please note: There will not be a Habitat Restoration event in September.

October Events

Trail Crew
Pumpkin Ridge Trail
Saturday, October 9, 2010, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In addition to providing recreation, trails foster an appreciation and respect of nature. Please help us maintain trail integrity by improving the tread and erosion control measures on Pumpkin Ridge Trail. We will meet at 9 a.m. at the Lagunitas Picnic Area parking lot, located at the end of Sky Oaks Road, off Bolinas Road in Fairfax.

Habitat Restoration / Gateway Project
Lagunitas Creek
Saturday, October 16, 2010, 9 a.m. to Noon

Help us improve habitat for salmon by planting native vegetation along Lagunitas Creek, home to many local birds and animals including kingfishers, merganser ducks and giant pacific salamanders. This event is part of the "Gateway" project, which is funded by the State Coastal Conservancy and the California Resources Agency's River Parkways program.

We will meet at the Leo T. Cronin Fish Viewing area parking lot located at Shafter Bridge on Sir Francis Drake Blvd., near the confluence of San Geronimo Creek and Lagunitas Creek in West Marin, just before Samuel P. Taylor State Park.

To pre-register or for more information, call 415-945-1128 or e-mail volunteerprogram@marinwater.org.

Below is a brief description of some of the regular volunteer opportunites held on the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed.

Mt. Tamalpais Trail Crew
Generally the 1st Saturday of each month, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (by reservation)
Join our most skilled volunteers and staff as they maintain and repair our trail system: building bridges, installing fencing, cutting back brush, repairing stairs and installing erosion control structures. Trail events are generally suitable for ages 13 and up. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. All volunteers under 18 must bring a signed permission form.

Mt. Tamalpais Habitat Restoration
Generally the 3rd Saturday of each month, 9:00 a.m. – Noon (Drop-ins and families encouraged) 
Make new friends while battling invasive weeds to restore habitat along Mt. Tamalpais’ lakeshores. Increase your knowledge of Mt. Tamalpais’ unique plant and animal life while contributing to their continued survival. This program focuses on invasive species control with a special emphasis on French broom. Sites are chosen to be scenic and accessible. Children between the ages of 8 and 16 are welcome if accompanied by an adult. All volunteers under 18 must bring a signed permission form.

Water Education Programs 
Available at no cost weekdays from October through June (by reservation)
MMWD is pleased to offer FREE, fun-filled and informative environmental education programs for schools in our service area during the 2009-10 school year. Our programs include watershed field trips for grades 3-5, field science trips for grades 9-12, service learning opportunities and more. All programs are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are designed to support California education standards while fostering water conservation and environmental stewardship. Click here to learn more about our school programs.)

Special Events
Schools, clubs, businesses and community groups are encouraged to schedule special habitat restoration events with MMWD.  Sites and activities are matched with the interests and abilities of the visiting party.  Past participants have included College of Marin, the Girl Scouts of America, the California Native Plant Society, REI, UC Berkeley Circle-K, and the Stanford University Graduate Association.