join the Crew at
RESTORATION AND CREEK CLEANUPS

Roll up your sleeves and join us at a community restoration or creek cleanup event. Your hands-on participation helps revive this rare coastal habitat and keep our coastal waters safe and clean.

You Can Help Bring Back Ballona!

FACT: Something as simple as moving a plant from one area of the planet to another can result in big problems.

Native plants are the structural and functional backbone of the Ballona Wetlands ecosystem because they provide food, water, and habitat. Unfortunately, fast-growing non-native vegetation can outcompete, outgrow, and crowd out our slow-growing native species, thereby reducing wildlife population. This is because invasive plants produce more seeds, have fewer predators, and require fewer resources to survive than native plants, often without providing any benefits to wildlife.

FACT: 80% of the debris on our beaches start out as urban trash and street litter.

Nearly 130 square miles of Los Angeles’ storm drains run into Ballona Creek, which means gutter trash from as far away as North Hollywood can end up right here in the wetlands. This is hazardous to sensitive wildlife, decreases water quality, and mars the beauty of the natural landscape. Every year, staff and volunteers remove tons of debris that would otherwise end up in the wetlands, on our beaches, and in the ocean.

Brownie Troop participates in Community Restoration at the Saltwater Marsh

EXPLORE AND INSPIRE AS AN INTERPRETIVE DOCENT

Are you looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity? If you love learning, love plants & animals, and love sharing what you know with others, the Friends of Ballona Wetlands docent program could be just for you! Read more about it HERE.

be a friend at EVENTS

Community Events Volunteer with Staff

Community Events - Fridays and Saturdays

Love our volunteer events and want to help even more? Work alongside staff to set up supplies, then greet, sign in, and supervise volunteers during community restoration and creek cleanups.

Migration Celebration Volunteer

Special Events - Various Dates

Volunteers help with all stages of planning, fundraising, setup, and execution for awesome events year-round.

Volunteer Event Photographer

Eco Paparazzi - Any and All Events

Take awesome pictures at our events so we can share the great work our volunteers do on our website, newsletters, and social media.

 
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All volunteers need to sign our waiver. Please sign before attending any volunteer events. Minors under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign for them.

Upcoming Volunteer Events:

Featured
Friday Habitat Restoration
Dec 6
Friday Habitat Restoration
Make Your Own Holiday Card!
Dec 7
Make Your Own Holiday Card!
Grow Native! Gardening Club
Dec 10
Grow Native! Gardening Club
Ballona Creek Cleanup
Dec 14
Ballona Creek Cleanup

Volunteer FAQs

  • Restoration and cleanup projects focus on improving the wetlands habitat and its ecosystem.

    Tasks include:
    - Removing non-native vegetation
    - Planting native trees and shrubs
    - Picking up trash along Ballona Creek

  • Yes. Registration links can be found on each event page. You can register yourself and up to four others at a time.

  • Nope! Staff and volunteer leaders will teach you everything you need to know, including tool safety, wetlands health, and the importance of specific tasks you will be doing.

  • For your safety and comfort, please bring:
    - Sturdy close-toed shoes (required)
    - Clothing that you don’t mind getting a bit dirty
    - Long pants and long sleeves to help protect against prickly plants
    - Warm layers and a hat
    - Full reusable water bottle to stay hydrated

    We will provide all necessary restoration and cleanup supplies, but you can bring your own gloves if desired.

  • Volunteers of all ages are welcome! The work is typically geared towards adults and kids 10 and up, but kids 13 and under are welcome to participate with adult supervision.

  • Yes! Check with your school, class, or program to verify that volunteering the The Friends will satisfy your service hour requirements. If so, please bring any paperwork you need and we will be happy to sign off at the end of the event. Due to the volume of volunteers that pass through every week, we can only verify hours on the day of the event.

  • For safety, restoration and creek cleanups are cancelled if it is raining. Please keep an eye on the weather and if you’re not sure, call our office or check our social media for announcements.

  • Yes! We welcome groups at our public events. All members of your group must register and sign our digital waiver. Links to registration forms and waivers can be found on each event page.

    If you’d like to request a private volunteer event for your group, please email us.

  • Ask the Volunteer Team!

    volunteer@ballonafriends.org