Pitch in at a state park for Earth Day

The California State Parks Foundation is recruiting volunteers to offer a little sweat equity to improve their favorite park in celebration of Earth Day.

Fort Ross, Jack London and Sonoma Coast state parks are among 27 participating in the Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup.

On April 18, a targeted volunteer force of more than 2,000 made up of businesses, groups and individuals, will help clear trails, spruce up campgrounds, plant native and drought-tolerant vegetation and pick up trash.

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. is providing a $200,000 grant for supplies and materials for 12 projects throughout Northern and Central California. PG&E is also holding two additional clean-up days using their own employees and families — on Friday at Angel Island and on Tuesday, April 22, official Earth Day — at Candlestick Point State Recreation Area.

Over the last 15 years the Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup Program has provided nearly $6.39 million in park maintenance and improvement provided by more than 80,000 volunteers.

In Sonoma County volunteers are needed to restore a garden at Fort Ross, remove invasive plants at Jack London State Park and renovate the Bodega Dunes Campfire Center and clean up Jenner Beach.

Volunteers at Fort Ross should assemble at 10 a.m. at 19005 Hwy 1. The project, which will run until 1 p.m., is good for families with kids.

Volunteers at Jack London should check in at 8:30 a.m. at 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen. The project ends at 1 p.m.

For the Bodega Dunes project, assemble at the campgrounds, 3095 Hwy 1, at 8:30 a.m.

To participate in the Jenner Beach Cleanup check in at the Sonoma Coast State Beach Visitors Center, at 8:30 a.m. The address is 10491 Hwy 1.

Both coast projects will knock off at 1 p.m.

Volunteers are required to register in advance at calparks.org/earthday or call 888-98-PARKS. Parking fees will be waived for all participants.

You can reach Staff Writer Meg McConahey at meg.mcconahey@pressdemocrat.com or 521-5204. On Twitter @MegMcConahey.