Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026 (First Saturday in September)
Event Type: Forest Preserve stewardship day

Description:
Honor and care for New York's wild places! This statewide event focuses on conservation of over 6.5 million acres of Forest Preserve lands in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. Help protect these treasured outdoor spaces after a busy summer season.

Activities:

Trail maintenance and cleanup

Campground cleanup after summer season

Campsite inspections

Invasive species removal

Native plant restoration

Trail bridge building

Drainage maintenance

Facility painting and staining

Educational walks

Impact:
First held in 2024, this event continues to grow with dozens of volunteer sites across both parks.

Hudson Valley/Catskill Volunteer Sites (based on past years):

Ulster County:

Kaaterskill Falls cleanup (Catskill Center partnership)

North-South Lake Campground cleanup

Meads Meadow Trail maintenance (Woodstock area)

Overlook Trail and Overloop Trail work

Big Pond campsite cleanup and inspection

Denning Road Trailhead area

Other Areas:

Multiple Adirondack sites

DEC campgrounds throughout parks

Popular trailheads and day-use areas

Time Commitment (check organizer):
Most events run 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM or 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Age Requirements:
Most sites appropriate for ages 13+ (check specific site requirements)

Registration:

Website:https://www.ptny.org/adirondack-catskills-day/

DEC Page:https://dec.ny.gov (search "Adirondack Catskill Park Day")

Registration opens approximately 4-6 weeks before event

Use interactive map to find volunteer sites

Register through Parks & Trails NY portal

Organizers:
NY DEC, Parks & Trails New York, NY State Parks

‍ ‍Partner Organizations:

Catskill Center

Catskill Mountainkeeper

Catskill Mountain Club

Catskill Visitor Center

Various regional volunteer groups

Family Friendly: Most sites welcome families (check age requirements for specific sites)

More Info:
Check DEC regional press releases for specific sites in your area (Regions 3, 4, and 5 cover Hudson Valley/Catskills)

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026 (First Saturday in October)
Event Type: Wildlife conservation and habitat stewardship

Description:
Show your appreciation for wildlife and wildlife conservation! Participate in habitat improvement projects, educational workshops, and nature walks celebrating New York's diverse wildlife. This event launched in 2024 and continues the Love Our New York Lands series into fall.

Activities:

Native plant species planting

Invasive species removal

Wildlife habitat restoration

Bird house and bat house building workshops

Pollinator garden creation

Wildlife Management Area improvements

Birding walks and nature hikes

Educational demonstrations about wildlife conservation

Stream and wetland habitat work

Community science projects (wildlife surveys, bird counts)

Hudson Valley Locations (based on past years):

Dutchess County:

Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center (major event location)

Various Wildlife Management Areas

Other Sites:

State Parks throughout region

DEC Wildlife Management Areas

Environmental Education Centers

State Forests

Time Commitment (Check with organizer:
Most events run 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM or 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Registration:

Website: https://www.ptny.org (Love Our New York Lands events)

DEC Events: https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/events

Registration opens several weeks before event

Organizers:
NY DEC, Parks & Trails New York, NY State Parks

Family Friendly: Yes - excellent for families and youth groups. Educational programming suitable for all ages.

Special Notes:

Some sites may have specific age requirements for certain activities

Birding walks can be paired with stewardship work

Great way to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day (established by Congress in 1972)