Volunteer Outdoors in Los Gatos at Bear Creek Redwoods

Join us at Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve, a Midpeninsula Regional Open Space Preserve, to help eradicate invasive plants and to restore habitat! Participants can expect to walk through an exposed and hilly terrain for up to 1/2 mile with tools to remove a weedy shrub known as French broom. Volunteers will additionally get an exclusive look at a part of the preserve that is not yet open to the public.

Visit this page to learn more about the ecosystem and accessibility considerations at Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve.

Waivers/Registration: All participants must register & approve the online waiver through this Eventbrite page. Youth under 18 must have their legal guardian approve the waiver on their behalf.

Meeting Space: There are no bathrooms or water fountains at the work site but there are facilities in the main parking lot a mile up the road. Please use the bathroom and fill up water bottles before arriving.

Parking: Take Hwy. 17 to Bear Creek Road, opposite the Lexington Reservoir.

Going south (toward the ocean): go under the overpass, the road curves right onto Bear Creek Road. Turn left at the stop sign.

Going north (toward Los Gatos): take the overpass.

From the stop sign, drive ¼ mile and keep an eye for the Grassroots Ecology sign. The parking lot is on the left. We will be meeting in this part of the preserve which is currently closed to the public rather than the main parking lot. We will walk to the work area from there. The gate to enter this parking location will be opened at 9:00. If arriving early please wait in the main parking lot of the preserve until the gate is opened. There are facilities at the main parking area but none at the actual work site.

Alternate Transportation: The preserve is only accessible by car.

Prepare for Working Outdoors:

• Long sleeves and long pants are strongly encouraged for this event. This area is shaded and additional layers are recommended.
• Water bottle filled with water
• Sturdy close-toed shoes that can get dirty
• Hat/sunscreen or rain gear/boots
• Plan for potential exposure to sun, poison oak, ticks
• Prepare for limited to no cell reception, limited bathroom access, and no available drinking water

Meeting Space: There are no bathrooms or water fountains where we'll be meeting, but there are facilities in the main parking lot. Please use the bathroom before arriving.

Event Cancellations:

We are committed to the safety of our staff and volunteers. In the event that we must cancel a workday due to extreme weather conditions or poor air quality, a Grassroots Ecology staff person will reach out via email no later than 5:00 PM the day prior to this event.

Join Us!

Grassroots Ecology encourages people from all identities and backgrounds to participate in our programs. Many of our programs are outdoors and involve moving and working in a variety of landscapes. If you have accessibility concerns (i.e., allergies, limited mobility, learning differences), our projects are flexible and we are happy to work with you. Please reach out to the workday facilitator so we can best prepare for your participation.

Accessibility concerns? Questions? Cancellations? Email [email protected]

Host or Publisher Grassroots Ecology