Volunteer with us
The Land Conservancy depends on many dedicated individuals who contribute their time, talents and expertise to improve our communities and preserve our landscapes.
Whether they are planting native trees and shrubs, working on a trail at the Pismo Preserve, maintaining our restored Octagon Barn, leading a hike, serving on a committee, or helping with our outreach events, our volunteers make a big impact.
Volunteers are invited to Land Conservancy private events and special activities, and have the opportunity to earn rewards.
To get involved, review our volunteer opportunities below and explore the links to the right. You may also support our volunteers with a donation of snacks, tools or refreshments from our Amazon Wish List!
Program Links
Trail Status
Closed
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
Explore our ongoing, year-round volunteer opportunity descriptions below! Email Christa for more details at christas@lcslo.org.
Educational Hike Volunteers
What: Support educational hikes with our Learning Among the Oaks program. Assist youth Oak Ambassador hike leaders and attend K to 6th grade students. Carry supplies and ensure attendee safety. Share your knowledge about local plants, animals, geology, etc.
When: Hikes are 1-3 hours long, generally during the school day. Occasional weekend and afternoon/evening hike opportunities.
Where: Regular hike locations include Templeton, Santa Margarita, Pismo Preserve, and Nipomo. Occasional hike opportunities at LCSLO preserves and other oak woodland–dominated natural spaces throughout the county.
Prerequisites: Hike leader training and background check. For the highest level of volunteer responsibility, fingerprinting and CPR/First aid training is also required.
Monarch Waystation and Pollinator Garden Crew
What: Care for the Gateway to Nature gardens in Santa Margarita. Pull weeds, plant native plants, water as needed, and perform general garden and pathway maintenance year-round.
When: On your own schedule or at a regular group worktime; weekly, biweekly, monthly.
Where: H street @ Highway 58 in Santa Margarita
Prerequisites: Garden orientation with project manager. A love of native plants and habitat gardening experience is suggested!
Sewing Volunteer
What: Support the Learning Among the Oaks education program by sewing classroom materials, youth vests for Oak Ambassadors, and other materials. These handmade items make our program so special. Materials will be provided.
When: Project based and on your own schedule.
Where: Wherever you like to sew.
Octagon Barn Historical Tour Docents
We are looking for volunteers to become Octagon Barn tour docents to help us share this historical landmark of San Luis Obispo!
After 20+ years of restoration, The Land Conservancy wants to honor and share the Octagon Barn’s history with locals and visitors alike. Built in 1906, the Octagon Barn is the only one of its kind still standing in California that is open to the public. Tours discuss its construction, use, and how the dairy industry helped turn San Luis Obispo into what it is today.
Just interested in taking a tour? History tours are on a break for the holidays and winter weather. Tours will return spring 2025.
Community Outreach
Who: People who enjoy getting out in the community, meeting new friends and doing a variety of activities.
What: Help set up, staff and/or clean up at outreach events.
When: As needed for occasional events; monthly for downtown SLO Farmers Market and Pismo Preserve and REI outreach events.
Why: Expand Land Conservancy reach to new audiences, make new friends and build support.
Commitment level: Varies; you can sign up to help when you’re available.
Where: County-wide.
General Stewardship
What: Get your hands dirty caring for our native plant landscaping and our conserved properties.
When: Typically weekly for each location, more frequent for the Octagon Barn Center.
Where: Octagon Barn Center, Pismo Preserve, Kathleen’s Canyon Overlook, and more!
Commitment level: A regular commitment is not required, any help is appreciated!
Invasive Plant Removal
What: Invasive plant removal. Our staff will assist by helping you identify invasive species and will teach best practices on removal.
When: The second Wednesday of each month at 9 AM.
Where: The Pismo Preserve.
Commitment level: A regular commitment is not required, any help is appreciated!
Specialized Experts
Do you have expertise in something applicable to our mission? Birds? Fish? Water quality? Bats? Native or invasive plants? We’re open to anything and love working with experts with intimate knowledge on a topic!
Pismo Preserve Trail Crew
What: Hands-on fun with the trail crew to keep our trails and wildlife Preserve accessible and beautiful!
When: 8:30-11:00 AM every Thursday.
Where: Pismo Preserve
Commitment level: A weekly commitment is not required, any help is appreciated!
Pismo Preserve Kiosk Keeper
What: Advise visitors at the kiosk on the ideal hike for their needs. Maintain a clean, welcoming kiosk area.
When: Any time during Preserve open hours.
Where: Pismo Preserve
Commitment level: A regular commitment is not required, any help is appreciated!
Pismo Preserve Gate Crew
What: Open the gates to the Pismo Preserve at dawn or close the gates after dusk.
When: Either at dawn or an hour after dusk.
Where: Pismo Preserve
Commitment level: A consistent weekly commitment is encouraged.
Bird Box Monitoring: Positions Currently Full; Annual Recruitment in January
What: Check bird boxes on a regular schedule to document use and chick success rates. Data collected is shared with statewide community science project collaborators.
When: Sign up for monitoring shifts during annual training. Weekly monitoring March to August with nest box maintenance November and December.
Where: Santa Margarita
Wildlife Camera Project: Positions Currently Full; Annual Recruitment in January
What: Hike to and service wildlife cameras. Download images, change batteries, and update time, date, and type of images being captured. Manage upload of data and images after each camera visit.
When: Sign up for shifts during annual training. Regular monitoring occurs year-round and is weather and access dependent.
Where: Santa Rita Ranch, Santa Margarita Ranch, and the Pismo Preserve. Data management from your own home or office.
Thank you to our volunteer project partners and sponsors!
