Volunteer Project Catalog

City of Santa Monica

The Adopt-A-Stop program encourages Big Blue Bus (BBB) riders, local businesses, or civic organizations to “adopt” a local BBB stop to maintain, keep clean, and care for. BBB wants to empower “Adopters” to feel a sense of ownership and pride in their local BBB stop.

City of Santa Monica

Are you interested in making a difference in your community and learning practical young tree care? Join the ISA Certified Arborists of the Santa Monica Urban Forest team as we care for recently planted trees at Hotchkiss Park on Thursday, May 7th from 9am to 12pm. You will learn valuable skills such as early structural pruning, when to remove stakes, how to apply mulch, watering guidelines and much more. After a training demonstration, you will have the opportunity to perform some supervised young tree care on your local trees. No experience needed, tools and training will be provided. Limited street parking is available surrounding the park, so we recommend carpooling or taking public transit if available. Please bring your own water bottle. If you have some, bring your own gloves and hand-pruners! We will have some gloves available to borrow. Wear sturdy shoes, comfortable clothes and bring sun protection if needed.

City of Santa Monica

Join the City of Santa Monica, Public Landscape Division, in celebrating Arbor Day 2026 as we plant trees in Joslyn Park on Thursday April 30th, 2026 from 9am-12pm. Come get your hands dirty and help us plant a variety of species in Joslyn Park and learn what the proper procedures and standard of care for tree planting is.

City of Santa Monica

Rising average temperatures and more frequent heat events are changing the landscape of the City of Santa Monica. The Office of Sustainability and the Environment is developing an Extreme Heat & Resilience Action Plan to create a roadmap toward a heat-resilient Santa Monica. In order to develop a thorough response to extreme heat, the City first must conduct strategic outreach to Santa Monica residents. Volunteers for this project will assist with canvassing efforts including tabling at community events, distributing a survey on extreme heat, and communicating basic information on heat risk as needed. All outreach events will be run with at least one City staff member present. Shifts will be created in advance of each event on an as-needed basis. Additionally, volunteers can assist with an Extreme Heat & Resilience Community Workshop on April 21st at the Miles Playhouse. Duties for the Community Workshop will include notetaking during round-table discussions, and set-up and take-down of the event.

Farmers Market

Individuals who are enthusiastic about Farmers Markets, small farms, locally grown produce and community engagement are encouraged to apply. Markets typically have two volunteer shifts: 7:30am to 11:00am and 10:30am to 2:00pm and will be outdoors, assisting with providing customer information, collection of paperwork and general operations at one of four Farmers Market sites. Market locations are: Sunday Main Street (Main and Ocean Park Blvd), Wednesday and Saturday Downtown Santa Monica (Arizona Ave. between 2nd and 4th St.), Saturday Pico (Virginia Ave. Park on Pico and 22nd St.) Volunteer placement determined as need arises. Requirements: Must be age 18 or older LiveScan background check (cost covered if selected)

Fire Department

The City of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Fire Department invite the community to celebrate Fire Service Day at Fire Station 1.with a fun, family-friendly open house on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This free event offers a unique opportunity for residents of all ages to meet local firefighters, explore emergency equipment, and learn essential life-saving skills through interactive, hands-on experiences. Event Highlights Include: Fire engines and a ladder truck for up close exploration Live auto extrication demonstration Hands-Only CPR training and emergency preparedness education in partnership with the American Red Cross Stop the Bleed education information about the department’s new Ambulance Operator Program and Advanced Provider Unit Photo opportunity with the U.S. Women’s Open trophy, on display ahead of the championship at The Riviera Country Club June 4-7 in the Pacific Palisades Free meals for the first 500 attendees, courtesy of Heavy Handed LA When: Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Where: Fire Station 1, 1337 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 In addition to Fire Service Day, the Santa Monica Fire Department provides year-round community outreach programs, including fire station tours, fire engine visits, and education on fire and life safety topics.For more information about the Santa Monica Fire Department, visit santamonica.gov/departments/fire.

Fire Department

The City of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Fire Department invite the community to celebrate Fire Service Day at Fire Station 1.with a fun, family-friendly open house on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This free event offers a unique opportunity for residents of all ages to meet local firefighters, explore emergency equipment, and learn essential life-saving skills through interactive, hands-on experiences. Event Highlights Include: Fire engines and a ladder truck for up close exploration Live auto extrication demonstration Hands-Only CPR training and emergency preparedness education in partnership with the American Red Cross Stop the Bleed education information about the department’s new Ambulance Operator Program and Advanced Provider Unit Photo opportunity with the U.S. Women’s Open trophy, on display ahead of the championship at The Riviera Country Club June 4-7 in the Pacific Palisades Free meals for the first 500 attendees, courtesy of Heavy Handed LA When: Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Where: Fire Station 1, 1337 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 In addition to Fire Service Day, the Santa Monica Fire Department provides year-round community outreach programs, including fire station tours, fire engine visits, and education on fire and life safety topics.For more information about the Santa Monica Fire Department, visit santamonica.gov/departments/fire.

Community Gardens

Join us to volunteer in the Community Gardens! Opportunities include weekday garden workdays (Mon-Wed mornings; Mon, Wed, Thur afternoons), assisting at Saturday morning events, joining the Orchard Care Crew (every 1st Saturday), or doing general garden maintenance. Requirements: - free Live Scan fingerprint background check - free, online Mandated Reporter Training (If selected opportunity includes working with children)

City of Santa Monica

The City of Santa Monica has launched the Renter’s Energy and Cooling/Heating (REACH) Program, a new initiative offering free electric home appliances to Santa Monica residents. The REACH program will provide income-qualified renters with free electric appliances including air purifiers, portable heat pump HVAC units, and portable battery systems. Appliances will be shipped via FedEx directly to each participant’s home. We anticipate that some participants, especially seniors or folks with disabilities who live in multifamily housing, will need support getting appliances up to their homes, and we are seeking volunteers to be available to assist with this process. Duties would include arriving to one or more participants’ homes and helping to carry appliances from common areas directly to people’s doorsteps and potentially into their homes. Volunteers should be able to carry boxes weighing up to 85 pounds by themselves or with the help of another volunteer. This role may involve carrying boxes around corners and up flights of stairs. This program intends to serve roughly 250 Santa Monica households through a series of regular lotteries in 2026.