The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy has exciting events for the community during the month of October. Included are a Wildlife Tracking Workshop, Nature Walks, Storytime Tails, Nature Club for Kids, Native Plant Care & Sales and Halloween Dog Parade. Most of the preserves and the White Point Nature Center & George F Canyon Centers are open. In order to keep all these areas open, volunteers are needed to help restore and maintain the beauty of Palos Verdes. Today in the Volunteer Activities you can find additional opportunities to help our reserves.
Special Events
Follow the Tracks: Wildlife Tracking Workshop will be led by a group of dedicated volunteers to monitor wild foxes and coyotes in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. Training is two sessions on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 8: 45 a.m. to noon. You must pre-register and attend both days to become a certified volunteer. 16+ and up can register by clicking here.
Be a Guide of the Wild: Nature Education Docent Orientation will take place on Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This is a Virtual event. Discover the many ways you can enjoy sharing your love of nature with students and visitors. For more information contact Holly Gray, at hgray@pvplc.org. Open to ages 18+.
Waves, Wildlife & Wonder: Nature Walk at Pelican Cove with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy will take place on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Admire the picturesque ocean views and restored buckwheat covered seaside bluff tops that support the recovery of the rare El Segundo blue butterfly. This is considered a moderate walk. Park at Pelican Cove parking lot at 31300 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes. Sign up at pvplc.org/calendar
Nature Club for Kids – Creatures of the Night – will take place on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Join the group at the White Point Nature Education Center for a nocturnal wildlife themed Nature Club. Learn about how scientists study animals that come out at night and do fun activities. This is for ages 3 to 10.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Storytime Tails – Night Flyers – will take place on Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Join the group at the White Point Nature Education Center for fun stories about the cool critters that live on the nature preserve and includes crafts and hands on activities. Recommended for kids ages 3 to 6 and their caregivers.
Halloween Dog Parade with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy will take place on October 25, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the White Point Nature Preserve in San Pedro. Costumed pups will strut their stuff with owners in time for Halloween.
Guided Nature Walks
Wings & Wonders Guided Bird Walk with take place on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Join expert Bob Shanman in front of White Point Nature Education Center for a free bird walk with an experienced naturalist, binoculars provided. The White Point Education Center is located at 1600 Paseo del Mar, San Pedro.
Guided Nature Walk will take place at George F Canyon Nature Preserve on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. Naturalists will guide you along a trail through the preserve to discover a unique variety of wildlife in their canyon habitat while you enjoy amazing views of the LA Basin. Meet on the back patio of the Nature Center and come inside to explore after the hike. This is considered an easy to moderate walk. Park in the preserve lot located at 27305 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rolling Hills Estates. Sign up at pvplc.org/calendar.
Native Plant Sale will take place on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at George F Canyon from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Create your own butterfly garden with a beautiful native plant from the Palos Verdes Peninsula. A native plant expert will give you a professional tips on creating a garden way station which will become a home for local species. George F Canyon is located at 27305 Palos Verdes Drive East, Rolling Hills Estates. White Point Nature Education Center will also be having their Native Plant Sale on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to noon for another opportunity to get native plants. White Point Nature Education Center is located at 1600 Paseo del Mar, San Pedro.
Guided Family Nature Walk will take place at White Point Nature Preserve on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. Naturalist will guide you along a trail (with amazing views across to the ocean) to discover a unique variety of wildlife in their coastal sage scrub habitat. Meet in front of the Nature Center and come inside to explore after the hike. Preserve parking is available at the end of the street in a gravel lot at 1600 West Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro. Sign up at pvplc.org/calendar.
Native Wonders: Guided Garden Tour will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the White Point Nature Plant Garden. You will learn about how to grow and care for native plants. Meet at White Point Nature Education Center located at 1600 Paseo del Mar, San Pedro.
Outdoor Volunteer Activities
Outdoor Volunteer Day at Agua Amarga Reserve will take place on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. You will help restore Lunada Canyon Nature Reserve. This Canyon to Coast project is to help remove invasive weeds and care for a community restoration site to benefit wildlife. Students can receive community service hours. Sign up at pvplc.volunteerhub.com
Outdoor Volunteer Day at Alta Vicente Reserve will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. This Wings & Wildflowers project is to help restore habitat on the 22 acre site to create a home for rare cactus wrens and gnatcatchers, while enjoying beautiful views of Catalina Island. Sign up at pvplc.volunteerhub.com.
Outdoor Volunteer Day at White Point will take place on Sunday, October 26, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. This Hands in the Wild project is to help maintain the preserve restoration area of native plant species to improve the critical habitat for wildlife at the preserve and beautify outdoor natural space for the community. Students can received community service hours. Sign up at pvplc.volunteerhub.com.
Act Fast For Nature: Help Restore Trails & Safeguard Wildlife with Rapid Response takes place on Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Join the Rapid Response team to help maintain the trails and protect important wildlife habitat. You will assist staff with various easy to moderate trail maintenance activities such as closing unauthorized trails, trimming and clearing brush, minor tread repair, and other projects. (Minor hiking involved). 15 years and older. No experience is needed. Sign up at pvplc.volunteerhub.com.
Nature Ambassadors: Join the Community Outreach Team
The Conservancy is looking for Community Outreach volunteers who enjoy sharing their love of nature and the Peninsula, at community events held around the South Bay. Join the Community Outreach Volunteer Team to help engage our local community at events and greet participants at the free monthly guided nature walks. No experience is needed and a flexible schedule is available. For more information, contact Lynn Rotunno, at lrotunno@pvplc.org. This is open to ages 18+.
To read my prior article on Palos Verdes Hikes and Trails click here
Photo courtesy of Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
