Following are a number of volunteer opportunities available in the area.

To learn more about these programs, call the phone number provided for each item.

Literary tutors needed

Conejo Valley Adult School Literacy Program in Thousand Oaks will offer a free literacy tutor workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Conejo Valley Adult School, Room A, 1025 Old Farm Road, Thousand Oaks.

This workshop will prepare volunteers to tutor adults in basic literacy skills. Volunteer do not need to have a teaching background.

After completing the training, each volunteer will commit to a minimum of two hours per week, days or evenings, to tutoring an adult student in the school's Literacy Center.

To register, call (805) 3741161.

Help ALS sufferers

The Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the ALS Association invites residents to join the advocacy team and discover the empowering experience of being proactive about ALS.

An ALSA Advocate is someone who is passionate about getting involved with government at all levels to draw awareness and resources to the people affected by this disease and is someone who is willing to effect real change in the way the government responds to the needs of the ALS community. An ALSA Advocate can help

change the laws and policies that affect thousands of persons with ALS and their families.

For more information, call the ALS Association Greater Los Angeles Chapter, 28720 Roadside Drive, Ste. 200, Agoura Hills, at (818) 8658067.

Get close to the stars

The Method Fest independent film festival is looking for volunteers to help with the planning and staging of the ninth annual Method Fest from March 30 to April 6 in Calabasas.

Volunteers are needed for a variety of administrative duties, including planning for special events and galas, acting and filmmaking workshops, panels, seminars and symposiums, hospitality, design, public relations and marketing.

During the festival, volunteers are also needed for party planning, merchandise sales, box office, information booths and transportation coordination. Ushers will be needed for the VIP/celebrity hospitality lounge, galas and other activities.

The festival is also seeking volunteers with experience in booking talent and working with personal publicists.

Those interested may call volunteer coordinator Jerry Magel at (818) 7101299 or email jerrypep1@earthlink.net.

Nurture nature

Mountains Restoration Trust offers several volunteer opportunities this month. Participants can earn community service hours. Reservations are required for all events.

Volunteers can restore the native habitat in La Sierra Canyon on Sunday, Jan. 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the La Sierra Preserve. RSVP by calling (818) 5911701, ext. 203.

Residents can restore native habitat along Dry Canyon Creek at Headwaters Corner Interpretive Center on Saturday, Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon, planting native and removing nonnative plants.

RSVP by calling (818) 5911701, ext. 205.

Help increase the riparian area along Dry Creek, take out nonnative invasive plants and plant native plants and grasses at the Riparian Habitat Restoration in Cold Creek Preserve on Sunday, Jan. 21 from 9 a.m. to noon.

For reservations, call (818) 591-1701, ext. 203.

Volunteers can restore oak woodland at Malibu Creek State Park by planting native oaks and grasses to increase the woodlands and grasslands for wildlife habitat and the beauty of the park.

Meet at the park on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon. Make a reservation by calling (818) 591-1701, ext. 203.

The Great Dry Canyon Creek Cleanup at Headwaters Corner Interpretive Center is Saturday, Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon.

After the cleanup, celebrate by creating an "art treasure."

Wear mudappropriate wetfoot shoes and clothes. RSVP by calling (818) 591-1701.