San Diego County, California
Saturday, March 21, 2026: Beginning March 21st, we’re launching Stewardship Saturdays—a weekly opportunity to help restore and care for the historic montane forests of Volcan Mountain.
Join our reforestation team for a full day on the mountain as we plant the next generation of trees. Volunteers will help establish coulter pine, bigcone douglas-fir, and incense cedar across priority restoration sites.
Sunday, April 26- If you’ve ever wondered what that bright yellow bird is, who's singing that beautiful song, or what made those rows of little holes in a tree, then join Sharyl Massey, VMF's Conservation Chair Board Member, for an introductory presentation about birds and bird identification. She will also cover a variety of ways to observe birds, including physical characteristics, behaviors and their habitats.
Saturday, April 25: The Volcan Mountain Foundation is partnering with I Love a Clean San Diego to clean up VMF's Sky Island. The focus will be to remove items in a forested area near the headwaters of the San Dieguito River. By participating in this clean-up, you will feel the satisfaction of helping to return the forest to a healthy ecosystem.
The Volcan Mountain Foundation greatly appreciates the time and energy volunteers take to restore the beautiful ecosystems of the Volcan Mountains in Julian, CA.
Date: Saturday, April 25
Saturday, March 21: Join biologist and educator Sharyl Massey as you learn about the unique and diverse characterisitcs of raptors. We'll start with a presentation followed by a chance to meet a live raptor from Sky Hunters Raptor Rehabilitation and Education. Afterward, we'll travel to VMF's Sky Island trailhead for lunch followed by a 1.5-mile roundtrip hike where we hope to see raptors riding the thermals.
Date: Saturday, March 21
Thursday, March 12 - Volunteers Needed! If you're interested in becoming an outdoor education volunteer and inspiring children to love nature, please join us for a fun orientation at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center. During this introduction you will learn about the fun hands-on activities we do with youth as well as the teaching techniques used in the field. You will also receive a series of one-on-one trainings with VMF's Educator, Janice Smith and get the opportunity to observe her while she teaches during the spring.
Saturday, February 28: Join San Diego Mycological Society's Vice President, Mark Jenne, as you learn about the life of mushrooms. You'll get a better understanding of their life cycle and their importance to the ecosystem. We'll start with a presentation at VMF's Education Center followed by a foray in the woods and identification of each one collected.
Date: Saturday, February 28
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Due to the gated entry for VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center, please plan to arrive by 9:45 am.
Saturday, April 18 - Join Eric Jones for a stewardship day on Volcan Mountain. We'll be clearing the 1.7-mile Cedar Loop Trail that begins at Volcan's ridgeline. We'll trim trail side branches and remove downed trees using power equipment, including chainsaws.
If trail clearing is not for you, not to worry. You'll have an opportunity to remove invasive mustard and Medusahead grass instead. Removing these two species is critical in creating healthy ecosystems and preventing them from spreading.
Sunday, March 22 - VMF needs your help! Join botanists and conservationists Larry Hendrickson and Sharyl Massey as well as VMF's Suzie Meyer for a morning removing non-native and highly invasive bull thistle at VMF's Volcan Mountain Nature Center. By removing this plant species, you will have the satisfaction knowing that you are restoring the forest to its healthy, natural ecosystem!
Date: Sunday, March 22
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
January 23: Join VMF on for a stewardship day on Volcan Mountain. As a wildfire prevention measure, we will be creating piles of wood collected from the forest and burning them throughout the day. No experience necessary.
Date: Friday, January 23
Time: 7:45 am - 4:00 pm (Volunteers are free to leave at anytime).
Bring: Work gloves (VMF has its own supply as well), water, snacks, lunch. Camp chair optional.
Wear: Sturdy shoes and dress warmly and in layers.
January 22: Join VMF on for a stewardship day on Volcan Mountain. As a wildfire prevention measure, we will be creating piles of wood collected from the forest and burning them throughout the day. No experience necessary.
Date: Thursday, January 22
Time: 7:45 am - 4:00 pm (Volunteers are free to leave at anytime).
Bring: Work gloves (VMF has its own supply as well), water, snacks, lunch. Camp chair optional.
Wear: Sturdy shoes and dress warmly and in layers.