Volunteer with Chicken Ranch Beach Wetland Enhancement Project
The Tomales Bay Foundation and SPAWN are seeking volunteers to help plant and maintain 7500 nursery-grown native plants at the newly excavated wetland at Chicken Ranch Beach.
Here’s the schedule through the end of 2026, and an update on the restoration activities at Chicken Ranch Beach:
Chicken Ranch Beach Wetland Enhancement Project
So far with the help of many wonderful volunteers, interns, and the West Coast Wild Restoration Crew, SPAWN and the Tomales Bay Foundation have installed 4,400 locally native plants in the upland areas. We also now have a temporary irrigation system (so no more hauling water!).
This almost one year old wetland restoration project has been created to filter and clean the water running through it. The plants intended for the lower wet areas in the channel are key in slowing and cleaning the water. Now that the water levels are going down, we have a chance to get a key element of the biogeochemical filtration process going by planting in newly exposed wet areas.
Come join us as we resume planting and continue to care for the site.
The remaining 3,200 wetland plants are to be installed as conditions permit between now and when the rains return. Once the planting is complete, we as a community will have installed 7,600 native plants!
Experience is helpful but not required. We will assist you in identifying target weeds (always happy to share plant knowledge) and planting techniques.
We have gloves and tools, but you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer. Feel free to email with questions.
SEPTEMBER
Saturday 9/26 planting 9:00 AM - NOON
Wednesday 9/30 planting 9:00 AM - NOON
OCTOBER
Saturday 10/10 planting 9:00 AM - NOON
Wednesday 10/14 planting 9:00 AM - NOON
Saturday 10/24 planting 9:00 AM - NOON
Wednesday 10/28 planting 9:00 AM - NOON
NOVEMBER
Saturday 11/7 planting 9:00 AM - NOON
Wednesday 11/11 planting 9:00 AM - NOON
Saturday 11/21 planting 9:00 AM - NOON
DECEMBER
Saturday 12/5 planting 9:00 AM - NOON
Wednesday 12/9 planting 9:00 AM - NOON
Saturday 12/19 planting 9:00 AM - NOON
Volunteer days are being coordinated by the SPAWN nursery. If you would like to volunteer please sign up email khopper below. For questions or to share your specific interest and/or experience please email steward@tomalesbayfoundatiion.org or khopper@tirn.net (Kristen Hopper, SPAWN Nursery Manager)
Hope to see you out at Chicken Ranch Beach in Inverness!