Adirondacks

Hudson River Special Management Area, Lake George Wild Forest (DEC)

Start time: 9:30 AM

End Time: 3:00 PM

Volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in three projects:

Tree planting at the Hudson River Special Management Area in the Lake George Wild Forest. This would involve planting native soft woods in the Stones Mountain area. This area has had significant soil disturbance from illegal motor vehicle use, and planting trees will speed up the recovery of the area. Trees will be provided by the Saratoga Tree Nursery. All ages welcome. Hardening of a universally accessible waterway access site, Hudson River Special Management Area in the Lake George Wild Forest. This waterway access site has been washed away through the periodic flooding of the Hudson River. Volunteers will be able to refill a hardened gravel path from a small parking area to the river, making it universally accessible for people with all abilities. Litter pick up, and the painting of gates and privies, Hudson River Special Management Area in the Lake George Wild Forest. The Special Management Area experiences high volumes of use, making it susceptible to litter. Volunteers will be able to bag this litter, and also touch up the paint on the gates and privies in the area.

Volunteers should bring water, a snack and lunch, and should wear garden gloves, boots and long pants. Meet at intersection of Thomas Rd and River Rd, Lake Luzerne, NY 12846.

For more information, contact Robert Ripp via email or phone: (518) 623-1209.

Registration for this event has closed as it is full.



Otter Creek Trail (DEC)

Start time: 9:30 AM (meet at Assembly Area at 9:00 AM)

End Time: 4:00 PM

The Otter Creek Horse Trails are located in the Towns of Greig and Watson in Lewis County. Approximately 65 miles of horse trails pass through Independence River and Otter Creek State Forests, and the Independence River Wild Forest of the Adirondack Park. These trails meander through a diverse landscape of spirea flats, wooded areas, numerous streams and ponds. Thousands of equestrian recreationists visit the trails each year, which are also used by hikers, cyclists, snowshoers and cross-country skiers.

The Department of Environmental Conservation coordinates trail upgrades and maintenance by staff, with help from a local volunteer group, the Friends of Otter Creek. Department staff and members of the Friends of Otter Creek will direct volunteer work on I Love My Park Day including: installation of water diversions to protect against erosion, installation of timber steps, brushing of narrow trails, filling of mud holes, and closing of informal braided trails.



Volunteers should bring water, a bagged lunch, work gloves, appropriate clothing for working outdoors, and may bring their own shovel and/or rake. The Department will provide some extra hand tools for those who are unable to bring their own. This event is appropriate for ages 13 and up.



Directions/Meeting location: The Otter Creek Horse Trail Assembly Area is located approximately 48 miles north of Utica and approximately 7 miles east of Route 12. Numerous brown and yellow NYSDEC signs are located off of Route 12 to direct volunteers to the Assembly Area. Take NYS Route 12 to Glenfield. Turn into the hamlet of Glenfield, then turn east onto Greig Road. Go across the Black River and in approximately 1.9 miles the road will make a T-connection with Pine Grove Road. Turn left. Proceed 1.2 miles and take a right turn (east) onto Chases Lake Road. The entrance to the Assembly Area will be approximately 3.4 miles on the right hand side of the road.

Once volunteers have arrived, work groups may split up and drive to work locations. All work will be completed by 4:00 PM.

For more information, contact Matt Nowak via email or phone: (315) 376-3521.



REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT

If you would like to register a large group for this event, please use our Group Registration Form.



Catskills

Colgate Lake (DEC)

Start time: 9:30 AM

End Time: 3:00 PM

Colgate Lake Wild Forest is a highly used recreation area for camping, hiking, and fishing during the summer months. This event will involve cleaning up primitive campsites and around Colgate Lake Recreation area, breakdown of unauthorized campsites, and some minor trail work. All ages welcome. Volunteers should wear boots and bring garden/work gloves, water, a snack and lunch, as well as shovels, rakes, and clippers.

Colgate Lake is located 1.5 miles down Colgate Road (County Rd 78). Please park at the first parking lot before you reach Colgate Lake.

Local sponsors/partners: Catskill Conservation Corps



For more information, contact Bryan Ellis via email or phone: 607-652-3607.



REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT

If you would like to register a large group for this event, please use our Group Registration Form.



Catskill Interpretive Center (DEC)

Start time: 9:00 AM

End time: 4:00 PM

Volunteers at this event will plant trees, install riparian vegetation, help with the removal of invasive species, and partake in some light trail maintenance. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing and footwear for planting activities and bring lunch, water and snacks. All ages are welcome.

For more information, contact Ian Dunn via email or phone: 845-256-3083.

REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT

If you would like to register a large group for this event, please use our Group Registration Form.



Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor

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Start time: 9:00 am

End time: 12:00 pm (a BBQ will follow)

Volunteers will be concentrating on work at Matton Shipyard specifically cutting away vines growing on buildings, as well as cleaning the road, tree planting and litter removal.

Meet at the pavilion. Join other volunteers for a BBQ at the end of the event.

For more information contact Diane Jennings via email.



REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT

If you wish to register a large group for this event, please complete our Group Registration Form.

Fire Island National Seashore

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Start time: 9:00am

End time: 2:00pm

There are several projects planned for volunteers at different locations throughout the park. Please indicate if you have a project preference in the registration form:

Sailors Haven Spruce Up: Enjoy a short ferry ride from Sayville to Sailors Haven to collect marine debris from the beach, boardwalks and Sunken Forest. Protect this globally rare holly maritime forest and beautiful barrier island beach! Please dress for the weather as this is an outdoor event. All ages welcome. Bring garden gloves, water, snack and lunch. Sunscreen and insect protection are recommended. Meet at Sayville Ferry Service: 41 River Road, Sayville, NY 11782 .

Assist with the spring cleaning and weeding of the Patchogue-Watch Hill Ferry Terminal native pollinator garden and registered Monarch Waystation. Bring garden gloves, water and a snack. Free parking is available. Please dress for the weather as this is an outdoor event. Closed toe shoes and pants are recommended . Meet at Patchogue-Watch Hill Ferry Terminal: 150 West Avenue, Patchogue, NY 11772.



Fire Island Lighthouse Beach to Bay Cleanup: Take a stroll along the ocean or bay beach to collect debris by the iconic Fire Island Lighthouse. Be the solution to marine pollution! Parking is available at Robert Moses State Park, Field #5. Please dress for the weather as this is an outdoor event. Bring garden gloves, water and a snack. Sunscreen and insect protection are recommended. Meet at Fire Island Lighthouse Terrace - park at Field #5 and walk to lighthouse.



Wilderness Pick it UP! Coastal Cleanup: Clean the only federal wilderness area in New York from 10am-12pm. Rid the beach of marine debris that is not only unsightly, but can harm wildlife. Park at west end of the Smith Point County Park lot then take a short walk to the meeting location, Wilderness Visitors Center. Volunteers of all ages are welcome, please bring gloves if possible. Please dress for the weather as this is an outdoor event. Wilderness Pick it UP! initiative is a collaboration with the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation. The Beach to Bay Cleanup at the lighthouse is in collaboration with the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society.

Parking fees may apply. For more information, including parking inquiries, contact Irene Rosen via email or phone: (631) 687-4780.

Registration for this event is closed as it is full.

Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve

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Start time: 10:00am

End time: 1:00pm

Families, scout groups and other organizations are invited to help clean trails, remove invasive species and plant native plants as part of our annual trail stewardship day.



New this year: geocachers can explore for geocaches while also removing trash from Reinstein Woods at this Cache In Trash Out® event. For more information about geocaching, visit www.geocaching.com/cito/.



Pizza and refreshments provided. Students needing service hours are welcome.

All ages are welcome. It's recommended that volunteers bring garden gloves, water and loppers. If you are geocaching, bring a GPS or cell phone if you have one.

For more information, contact MeaghanBoice-Green via email or (716) 683-5959.

REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT

If you wish to register a large group for this event, please complete our Group Registration Form.

Please note the registration form will say ADKs/Catskills but this does include registration for Reinstein Woods.

Saratoga National Historical Park

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Start time: 9:00 AM

End time: 1:00 PM

The day will start at the Park Visitor Center with registration and project kick-off at 9:00am with projects starting at 10:00am. Please join us after the projects for some food and fun.



Volunteers will have the opportunity to assist with a number of projects:

Clean the granite monuments at the battlefield. Volunteers will use provided brushes and other appropriate materials to gently wash the monuments and remove any organic soiling. All ages welcome. Volunteers should bring garden gloves and water. Clean the interpretive wayside exhibits on the battlefield. Volunteers will be provided the necessary cleaning materials to clean the panels that have been exposed to the elements.All ages welcome. Volunteers should bring water.

The park needs help picking up litter along the park roads. Volunteers will walk the park entrance road, and other park roads, and pick up any litter. All ages welcome. Volunteers should bring water.

This project will paint the metal frames of the interpretive wayside exhibits found on the battlefield. Volunteers will use provided materials to paint the frames along the battlefield tour road. This project would be appropriate for volunteers 13 years of age and older.



Local sponsors/partners: Friends of Saratoga Battlefield



For more information, contact Bill Valosin via email or phone: (518) 670-2983.

Registration for this event has closed as it is full.



Women's Rights National Historical Park

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Start time: 9:00 AM

End time: 2:00 PM

Volunteers at this event will participate in a Chamberlain Property Spring Clean-up:

clear waterfront bulkhead of natural debris



spread gravel for creation of a non-powered boat ramp



plant flowers



clear lawn of winter debris

All ages welcome. Volunteers should bring garden gloves and water.

Parking will be in the lot next to the Elizabeth Cady Stanton House at 32 Washington Street, Seneca Falls, NY. Additional parking is further down the hill, on the street, adjacent to the Chamberlain Property.

Local sponsors/partners: Friends of Women's Rights National Historical Park

For more information, contact Kimberly Szewczyk via email or phone: (315) 568-5302.

REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT

If you wish to register a large group for this event, please complete our Group Registration Form.