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Birding and Planting at McClellan Ranch Preserve

  • Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (SCVAS) 22221 McClellan Road Cupertino, CA, 95014 United States (map)

Volunteer with SCVAS and Grassroots Ecology to restore meadow habitat at McClellan Ranch Preserve in Cupertino! We will plant California native species that support bird and wildlife diversity, with a local expert highlighting our feathered friends throughout the preserve. Volunteers should expect to kneel, dig planting holes, and walk on muddy and/or uneven ground, all while learning about conservation and California ecology. Rain or shine!

Visit Grassroots Ecology’s McClellan Ranch Preserve page to learn more about the ecosystem and accessibility considerations.

Waivers/Registration: 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. Volunteers age 12 and under require an accompanying adult.

Parking: 22221 McClellan Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014, park in the main parking lot in front of the meadow. Additional parking can be found in the overflow lot (located to the left of the main entrance).

Alternate Transportation: The closest bus stop (via VTA route 51) is approximately 1 mile away from the preserve. (Note: this route may not run on the weekend). The surrounding neighborhood is bike-friendly and there are plenty of safe places to lock bikes.

Meeting Space: We will meet at the picnic tables at the front of the meadow.

Prepare for Working Outdoors:

  • Face mask for COVID-19 safety (optional)

  • Reusable water bottle (filled with water)

  • Snacks, if desired

  • Long pants, long sleeves recommended

  • Sturdy closed-toed shoes that can get dirty

  • Hat/sunscreen or rain gear/boots

  • Epi-Pen or allergy medicine, if applicable

  • Plan for potential exposure to sun, poison oak, ticks, prickly plants

We will provide gloves, tools, and ponchos (if necessary).

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 (e.g. 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 prepare for your participation.

Accessibility concerns? Questions? Cancellations?

Email stephanie@grassrootsecology.org