Eco-Friendly Events Calendar

Join the EV each month on the last Saturday from 10-11:30am for a hands-on exploration of nature and science. For children ages 7-9.

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Hike one of the peninsula’s iconic peaks while appreciating the twilight on an evening excursion with Docent Naturalists Dave Kocsis, Lindsay Joye, and Mari Aldridge. You’ll ramble the Canyon Trail and climb the scenic Bella Vista Trail, observing late winter flora and fauna along the way. Then watch the sun set and the full moon rise from Black Mountain’s summit while enjoying the food you brought for dinner or snack. You’ll earn extraordinary views of the Santa Clara Valley and Santa Cruz Mountains. This excursion has a 1,000-foot elevation gain but is moderately-paced. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after February 17 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close March 2 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:Meet at the Monte Bello Parking Area on Page Mill Road (across from Los Trancos Preserve), 7 miles west of I-280 or 1.5 miles east of Skyline Boulevard. Those traveling from I-280 on Page Mill Rd. should allow approximately 35 minutes travel time.

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Enjoy a leisurely-paced walk with Docent Naturalists Olga and Tony Bright to explore the cultural and natural history of the Hawthorns Area, a limited access location that is not contiguous to the rest of Windy Hill Preserve. You’ll be guided through grasslands, oak-dotted hills, and an olive orchard. Your route will travel along a stream and past structures built in the late 1880’s, inviting you draw on your imagination to examine the life and times of the Estate and its original owners. Your outing will also provide sweeping views of the Santa Cruz Mountains, East Bay hills, and San Francisco Bay (weather permitting). (Note: Directions will be sent after reservations close. A docent will meet you at the gate and direct you to parking area. Some sections of the walk are on unimproved trails.) Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after February 21 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close March 6 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:Directions will be sent after registration closes.

Help restore important marshland habitat by removing invasive species!Join Environmental Volunteers at the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve and spend your morning restoring important wildlife habitat. Help us keep this special landscape beautiful and habitable for the incredible diversity of wildlife in the Baylands by removing invasive plants like fennel and black mustard.Activities will involve bending, digging, lifting, and walking over uneven terrain. Gloves, hand picks, and other tools will be provided.Prepare for Working Outdoors:Participants should dress appropriately for gardening outdoors. The Baylands can be windy and cool, so dressing in layers is recommended. Please bring a water bottle and a snack.Meeting Point/Parking:We will meet at the EV EcoCenter. Restrooms and water are available in the building. There is free parking in the North and South parking lots of the preserve, as well as the Duck Pond.Participant Waiver:ALL volunteers attending the workday must be registered individually and have approved the online waiver through this Eventbrite page. Youth under 18 must have their legal guardian approve the waiver on their behalf. Participation is limited to individuals age 12 and older.Questions:Please contact viadj@environmentalvolunteers.org for any accessibility concerns and questions.About the Baylands Nature PreserveThe 1,940-acre Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve includes some of the last remaining undisturbed marshlands in the San Francisco Bay. Considered one of the best bird watching areas on the West Coast, the Baylands provide essential habitat for migratory shorebirds and endangered species such as the Ridgway's Rail and the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse.About Environmental VolunteersEnvironmental Volunteers has inspired people of all ages for over 50 years to learn about the wonders of the natural world. We train volunteers to bring immersive science and nature-based experiences to over 20,000 students each year. Through field trips and programs in the classroom, in the community, and at the EcoCenter, we grow students’ […]

Help restore important marshland habitat by removing invasive species!Join Environmental Volunteers at the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve and spend your morning restoring important wildlife habitat. Help us keep this special landscape beautiful and habitable for the incredible diversity of wildlife in the Baylands by removing invasive plants like fennel and black mustard.Activities will involve bending, digging, lifting, and walking over uneven terrain. Gloves, hand picks, and other tools will be provided.Prepare for Working Outdoors:Participants should dress appropriately for gardening outdoors. The Baylands can be windy and cool, so dressing in layers is recommended. Please bring a water bottle and a snack.Meeting Point/Parking:We will meet at the EV EcoCenter. Restrooms and water are available in the building. There is free parking in the North and South parking lots of the preserve, as well as the Duck Pond.Participant Waiver:ALL volunteers attending the workday must be registered individually and have approved the online waiver through this Eventbrite page. Youth under 18 must have their legal guardian approve the waiver on their behalf. Participants age 12 and under require an accompanying adult.Questions:Please contact viadj@environmentalvolunteers.org for any accessibility concerns and questions.About the Baylands Nature PreserveThe 1,940-acre Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve includes some of the last remaining undisturbed marshlands in the San Francisco Bay. Considered one of the best bird watching areas on the West Coast, the Baylands provide essential habitat for migratory shorebirds and endangered species such as the Ridgway's Rail and the Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse.About Environmental VolunteersEnvironmental Volunteers has inspired people of all ages for over 50 years to learn about the wonders of the natural world. We train volunteers to bring immersive science and nature-based experiences programs to over 20,000 students each year. Through field trips and programs in the classroom, in the community, and at the EcoCenter, we grow […]

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Join Docent Naturalists Ani Agahian, Mary Ann Frank, and Minh Pham for a serene sunset adventure at Hunters Point, a 900-foot-high hilltop with breathtaking views of the Santa Clara Valley. You and your dog (or just you!) will travel the Seven Springs Loop Trail on this moderately‐paced hike with a 550-foot elevation gain. Along the way you’ll dive into the rich history of the land, explore stories of the Fremont Older Historic House, and visit the pet cemetery. Dogs are welcome but not required—just your sense of curiosity and love for nature. Remember to bring a flashlight. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after February 21 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close March 6 at 2:00 p.m.Where to Meet:Meet at the Prospect Parking Area on Prospect Road in Cupertino.  Exit Highway 85 at De Anza Boulevard.  (From northbound 85 turn left on De Anza Blvd. and from southbound 85 turn right on De Anza Blvd.)  Travel on De Anza Blvd. (toward the mountains) for about 0.5 miles.  Turn right on Prospect Rd.  At the first stop sign, turn left and cross the railroad tracks to remain on Prospect Rd. Follow Prospect Rd. for 1.3 miles, turning left after the Saratoga Country Club, until you reach the preserve parking lot. 

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.This activity has been cancelled. Please note that future "Wonders of Cherry Springs" hikes will be offered on April 1 and May 3. Join Docent Naturalists Greg Azevedo and Casey Litton for a leisurely-paced hike at a limited-access area. You’ll travel in a single loop, traversing grassland meadows, mixed evergreen forest, and chaparral. It includes one uphill section with a 500-foot elevation gain. You’ll discuss local history, learn about the pond environment and flora of the area, and enjoy views of Santa Clara Valley while exploring habitats that few humans have recently visited. Bring a snack for a short break. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after February 22 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close March 6 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:Meet at the VTA Park & Ride lot at Camden Avenue @ Highway 85. Docents will lead a carpool to the access area and have a group permit and parking passes for participants. Please arrive on time; the group will depart promptly. All participants must stay for the duration of the activity (no early departures in a closed area). Please note: there are no restrooms in VTA lot, nor the Preserve, so please plan accordingly. Thank you. 

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.What prompts the flip from one season to another—flowers to bloom, birds to nest, and insects to pollinate? Nearly all plants and animals follow meteorological cues of daylight, temperature, and rainfall for their survival; phenology is the term given to the study of life cycle events in the natural world. Join Docent Naturalists Renée Fitzsimons and Dave Kocsis and guest ecologist Diane West-Bourke to hone your budding phenologist skills. This leisurely-paced exploration along the Waterwheel Creek Trail and Montebello Road will reveal many delights and prompt discussion, plus provide a beautiful 360 ° ridgetop view. Please bring a snack or lunch. (Note: You’ll meet at the Picchetti Ranch Parking Area and carpool to the Waterwheel Creek trailhead.) Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after February 26 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close March 11 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:For this activity at Monte Bello Preserve, meet at the Picchetti Ranch Preserve parking lot. From the intersection of I-280 and Foothill Expressway, go 3.5 miles southwest (toward the mountains) on Foothill Boulevard/Stevens Canyon Road.  Turn right on Montebello Road.  The preserve is 0.5 miles up Montebello Rd. on the left. Participants will carpool to the trailhead for this activity.

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.It's 3/14, and just as the number pi is infinite, so are the wonders of nature. Join Docent Naturalists Emma Finter, Greg Azevedo, Inga Buyse, Gordy Ferguson, and Joyce Tang for an engaging extension of the popular guided activity, “Wonders of Cherry Springs.” This leisurely-paced hike at a limited-access area will travel in a figure eight, traversing grassland meadows, mixed evergreen forest, and chaparral. It includes two uphill sections, one with a 500-foot elevation gain. You’ll discuss local history, learn about the pond environment and flora of the area, and enjoy views of Santa Clara Valley while exploring habitats that few humans have recently visited. Bring a snack or lunch for a short break. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after February 28 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close March 13 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:Meet at the VTA Park & Ride lot at Camden Avenue @ Highway 85. Docents will lead a carpool to the access area and have a group permit and parking passes for participants. Please arrive on time; the group will depart promptly. All participants must stay for the duration of the activity (no early departures in a closed area). Please note: there are no restrooms in VTA lot, nor the Preserve, so please plan accordingly. Thank you. 

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Join Docent Naturalists Peter Maxwell, Roger Wigenstam, and Steve Crawford for an exhilarating and aerobic mountain bike ride through towering redwoods and a rugged landscape. This adventure is designed for experienced mountain bikers looking to explore some great trails in the open space while learning about the history and ecology of the area. You’ll ride the Oljon, Blue Blossom, Gordon Mill, and other trails beneath the conifer canopy. Participants must be able to ride narrow and at times rough single-track trails with an elevation gain of 1,600+ feet. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after February 28 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close March 13 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:Meet at the El Corte de Madera Parking Area located on the west side of Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard), about one mile south of the Caltrans Skeggs Point parking area and 2.7 miles north of the intersection of Highway 35 and Highway 84.

Join us for a series of fun, engaging art workshops to empower children and families to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic.

Join expert EV docents for an exploration of the science and nature of the Palo Alto Baylands.

Join us for a fun weekday hike where seniors lead the way in great company and fresh air!Hike with the Friends: Weekday HikeJoin us for a fun and friendly in-person hiking adventure! It's a perfect chance to stay active, meet new friends, and enjoy the great outdoors together. Hike designed for active participants. 4-5 miles with approximately 1,000 elevation gain on beautiful trails. Meet at 9:00 AM sharp in the picnic area at Wunderlich Park 4040 Woodside Road! Lace up your shoes, bring water, layers, and sun protection and come explore nature with fellow seniors leading the way! Hike hosted by the Friends of Huddart & Wunderlich Parks and guided by volunteer naturalist Dennis Ruby.

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Ready for the next sunrise hike? Join Docent Naturalists Catherine Xun, Stephen Buckhout, Mari Aldridge, and Greg Azevedo for an equinox dawn at Mount Umunhum—Part III of a three-season sunrise series. In August, you welcomed summer’s pastels; in December, winter’s stillness. Now witness the vibrant renewal of spring. From Bald Mountain you’ll watch the sun rise, then you’ll drive to the summit for an unforgettable view. Expect a moderately-paced hike with short stops to enjoy the morning light, observe the awakening of fauna and flowers, and share in this peak’s restoration story. (Note: The core program ends around 8:30 a.m. at the Mt. Umunhum summit. This is followed by an optional extension: a one-way, 3.7-mile descent along the Mt. Umunhum Trail down to Bald Mountain on well-graded switchbacks to return to the cars staged at Bald Mountain Parking Area.) Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after March 6 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close March 19 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:Meet at the Jacques Ridge Parking Area near the intersection of Hicks Road and Mt. Umunhum Road in San Jose. Exit Highway 85 at Camden Avenue. (From northbound Hwy. 85 turn left on Branham Avenue and then turn left on Camden Ave. and from southbound Hwy. 85 turn left on Camden Ave.) Travel on Camden Ave. about 1.6 miles. Turn right on Hicks Rd. and travel for about 6.3 miles. Turn right on Mt. Umunhum Rd. The preserve parking lot will be on the right.

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Celebrate the vernal equinox on a moderately-paced hike with Docent Naturalists Bobbie Riedel, Nancy Weintraub, and Marie Faust Evitt. You’ll follow the Hickory Oaks and Long Ridge Road trails, gaining expansive views while traveling through grasslands and oak woodlands to emerge at each of the preserve's three hilltop benches. Pack a snack to enjoy as the sun starts to descend on Turtle Rock before heading back. (Note: there is limited roadside parking at the Hickory Oaks entrance; please carpool if possible.) Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after March 6 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close March 19 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:Meet at Hickory Oaks Roadside Parking; 5.1 miles south of Page Mill Road or 1.3 miles north of Highway 9 on the west side of Skyline Boulevard.

Join the EV each month on the last Saturday from 10-11:30am for a hands-on exploration of nature and science. For children ages 7-9.

Join the EV for a fun exploration of local open space, led by our environmental educators. Intended for all ages 6 and up.

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Calling all children between the ages of four and eight along with their parents/guardians to join Docent Naturalists Sabra Abraham, John Seyfarth, and Ann McCarty on a leisurely-paced hike to observe and engage with nature. You’ll walk around Sausal Pond on the Betsy Crowder and Spring Ridge trails and play a game called "Go Find It" in which you search for something in nature to match the description on the cards. There will not be a stop for a snack along the trail but there are picnic tables available at the nearby Portola Valley Town Center for lunch after if you choose. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after March 16 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close March 27 at 2:00 p.m. Please register both adults and children with separate reservations. Where to Meet:The Lower Windy Hill Parking Area at the lower portion of the preserve is located on Portola Road. Please note: This parking lot fills quickly. Please do not park on Portola Road: parking is strictly enforced.

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Join Docent Naturalists Greg Azevedo, Jessica Kolla, and Ann McCarty for a leisurely-paced hike at a limited-access area. You’ll travel in a single loop, traversing grassland meadows, mixed evergreen forest, and chaparral. It includes one uphill section with a 500-foot elevation gain. You’ll discuss local history, learn about the pond environment and flora of the area, and enjoy views of Santa Clara Valley while exploring habitats that few humans have recently visited. Bring a snack for a short break. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after March 18 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close March 31 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:Meet at the VTA Park & Ride lot at Camden Avenue @ Highway 85. Docents will lead a carpool to the access area and have a group permit and parking passes for participants. Please arrive on time; the group will depart promptly. All participants must stay for the duration of the activity (no early departures in a closed area). Please note: there are no restrooms in VTA lot, nor the Preserve, so please plan accordingly. Thank you. 

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.Search for beautiful spring wildflowers while on an exciting and aerobic mountain bike ride with Docent Naturalists An Scharlaken, Steve Crawford, Roger Wigenstam, and Jianfei Hu. This adventure is designed for experienced mountain bikers looking to explore the region's dynamic trails while learning about the different habitats and what flowers grow there. You’ll start with a climb up the Ridge Trail, then ride down the Ancient Oaks Trail, gain elevation again on the Alder Spring Trail, and loop back to the Ridge Trail. This is an advanced-level ride: Participants must be experienced and able to ride steep, narrow trails with an elevation gain of over 1,000 feet. Bring a lunch (you can leave it in your car) if you want to eat together after the ride. (Note: This preserve fills quickly on spring weekends; carpooling encouraged.) Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after March 21 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close April 3 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:Meet at the Russian Ridge Parking Area on the northwest corner of the Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) and Page Mill/Alpine Road intersection (across Skyline Blvd. on the right). Those traveling from I-280 on Page Mill Rd. should allow approximately 40 minutes travel time.

Midpen guided activities are led by trained volunteer docent naturalists. All are welcome.This activity has been cancelled. Another "Infinite Wonders" is scheduled for May 17; sign-ups will open May 3.  Join Docent Naturalists Greg Azevedo and Naureen Moon for an engaging extension of the popular guided activity, “Wonders of Cherry Springs.” This leisurely-paced hike at a limited-access area will travel in a figure eight, traversing grassland meadows, mixed evergreen forest, and chaparral. It includes two uphill sections, one with a 500-foot elevation gain. You’ll discuss local history, learn about the pond environment and flora of the area, and enjoy views of Santa Clara Valley while exploring habitats that few humans have recently visited. Bring a snack or lunch for a short break. Reservations are required and will be accepted on or after March 22 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) and close April 3 at 2:00 p.m. Where to Meet:Meet at the VTA Park & Ride lot at Camden Avenue @ Highway 85. Docents will lead a carpool to the access area and have a group permit and parking passes for participants. Please arrive on time; the group will depart promptly. All participants must stay for the duration of the activity (no early departures in a closed area). Please note: there are no restrooms in VTA lot, nor the Preserve, so please plan accordingly. Thank you.