This activity is part of the 2026 San Diego Community Climate Action Day + 4th Annual Hike-A-Thon on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at the Los Peñasquitos Canyon County Preserve and Ranch House.
Location
- Los Peñasquitos Canyon County Ranch House
- 12122 Canyonside Park Drive, San Diego, CA 92129
What you will do
- Help convert a former parking area into a garden
- Remove weeds and unwanted vegetation
- Prepare planting areas
- Move and spread soil or mulch
- Plant native and climate-appropriate plants
- Plant approved trees or larger plants
- Water new plantings
- Help prepare the area for future education features
No hiking or volunteer experience is needed. Stay with the group and follow ranger directions.
Shift: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Why it matters
- This project turns a former developed area into green space. The future garden will support native plants and provide a place for visitors to learn about the local environment.
What you will get
- An official event T-shirt
- Lunch (only for volunteers who check-in)
- Tools and supplies needed for the activity
- Work gloves and other safety gear when needed
- Access to water refill stations and snacks
- Access to the Nature & Wellness Fair after the project
What to wear and bring
- Closed-toe walking shoes.
- Comfortable clothes for the weather.
- A reusable water bottle, sunscreen, and a hat.
Event Day Schedule
- 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Volunteer Check-In
- 9:30 a.m.– 10:00 a.m. | Community Climate Action Day + Hike-A-Thon Kickoff
- 10:00 a.m.– 11:30 a.m. | Volunteer Projects and Hike-A-Thon Activities
- 11:30 a.m.– 2:00 p.m. | Nature & Wellness Fair
- 11:45 a.m.– 12:45 p.m. | Volunteer Lunch
About Community Climate Action Day and Hike-A-Thon
Community Climate Action Day and the 4th Annual Hike-A-Thon will take place together on Saturday, October 3. Both events will be held at Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve and Ranch House. Community Climate Action Day gives people a chance to help with hands-on service that supports parks, green spaces, and local communities. The Hike-A-Thon is an annual event led by the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation, Live Well San Diego, and Nature Unplugged. Holding both events in one place gives people more ways to take part. Volunteers can choose from service projects, a ranger-led hike, outdoor wellness activities, lunch, and the Nature & Wellness Fair. They can also take the Climate Action Counts pledge and learn how to stay involved after the event.
This event is hosted in partnership with the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation, Nature Unplugged, the California Climate Action Corps, a program of California Volunteers, Office of the Governor, and the San Diego County Parks Society.
