Upper Newport Bay has a program called ROOTS (Restoration Outreach Opportunity Teamwork Stewardship) for those looking to volunteer for a great local cause:

Steward Days are every Wednesday from 9-11am and include native plant propagation
and Restoration Teamwork is every fourth Saturday from 9-12 and includes planting natives and weeding out exotics. For more information, contact the California Coastal Commission
(949) 640-0286 or kfinstad@coastal.ca.gov