Love Our New York Lands

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The Love Our New York Lands campaign, launched in 2020 by the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, encourages all users of state-owned lands to recognize that these lands are shared by all New Yorkers, our families, and our neighbors, and we all need to take care of them.

This campaign offers New Yorkers and visitors guidance on Leave No Trace™ principles so that together we can help ensure these special places are protected for future generations. While enjoying these shared spaces, be respectful of other visitors. Share trails, treat people with kindness, and leave things as you found them for others to enjoy. Visitors are encouraged to think of themselves as responsible for helping protect these irreplaceable destinations for future generations:

One way to give back to our public lands is to seek out local or statewide cleanup days like I Love My Park Day or Canal Clean Sweep. To build on the success of these events and to carry the spirit of stewardship and volunteerism throughout the year, Parks & Trails New York as well as NYSDEC, the NYS Canal Corporation, and NY State Parks & Historic Sites, are hosting themed statewide stewardship days in 2025 throughout the spring and fall.

Love Our New York Lands Events

Wildlife Day (October 4, 2025)

Across the state, stewardship activities and educational demonstrations will be held to celebrate wildlife conservation and protect New York wildlife.

Find an event near you and register to volunteer using the map below.

Events by Region

Adirondacks Region

Catskills Region

Central Region

Finger Lakes Region

Genesee Region

Long Island Region



NYC Region

Niagara Region

Saratoga/Capital Region

Taconic Region

Thousand Islands Regions

  • Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site - Union Hotel
  • Minna Anthony Common Nature Center
    • Darlene Sourwine: darlene.sourwine@parks.ny.gov

Volunteer Registration: Wildlife Day Volunteer Registration 2025

How to register for an event

  • Find an event: Use our interactive map or list of events to find an event near you. Use the grey search bar on the bottom of the map to search for a specific location. Take note of the different projects and age restrictions for the event you wish to attend to make sure it's a good fit for you or your group.
  • Register to volunteer: Use the map to find an event near you and click "Register" when you find where you would like to participate. This will take you to the registration form to sign up to volunteer. Make sure to note the time and meeting location for your event. Most events will take place rain or shine but some events will have rain dates.

    PLEASE NOTE: you will have to register each member of your group individually so everyone will fill out the appropriate participation waivers.
  • Roll up your sleeves and give back to our beautiful natural spaces: On the day of the event, show up at the location and time indicated on the event listing and get to work. Depending on the project, some events recommend bringing your own tools and gloves. We recommend bringing your own water, sun protection and clothing you don't mind getting dirty!
  • If you need to cancel your registration or have any questions about a specific event after registering, please contact the host site directly (this information will be provided in your confirmation email).

Adirondack and Catskill Park Day (September 6, 2025)

Hosted on the first Saturday of September, Adirondack and Catskill Park Day focuses on the conservation of land that makes up over 6.5 million acres within New York. Volunteers will help with trail maintenance in the Forest Preserve or participated in a campground cleanup.

Canal Clean Sweep (April 17-19, 2026)

Canal Clean Sweep is an annual statewide clean-up event that occurs along major greenways across New York State to celebrate Earth Day. Clean-ups primarily occur along the Erie and Champlain Canalway, the Glens Falls Feeder Canal, the Black River Feeder Canal, and the Rochester Riverway. Learn more about Canal Clean Sweep.

I Love My Park Day (May 2, 2026)

I Love My Park Day--the largest single-day volunteer event in NYS--presents a perfect opportunity to clean up our favorite parks and shorelines, plant trees and gardens, restore trails and wildlife habitat, remove invasive species, and work on various site improvement projects--all which help to prepare our iconic state park system and public lands for the start of the season. Learn more about I Love My Park Day.

Resources for Love Our New York Lands Events

Button Templates

Planning Tools

Social Media, Fliers, Templates

Template Certificates

Template Directional Signage

Template Thank You Letters

Volunteer + Photo Release

Sponsors

Are you interested in sponsoring Love Our New York Lands Events in 2025?

Please contact Will Cote, PTNY's Senior Director of Public Lands, wcote@ptny.org

FIND A COMPLETE LIST OF OUR 2025 SPONSORS HERE.

Parks & Trails New York (“PTNY”) is a registered 501c3 organization and not affiliated with its I Love My Park Day partners, the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. PTNY exercises sole discretion in selecting and approving all Sponsors for this event, and 100% of all Sponsor proceeds are donated to PTNY. Participation as a Sponsor does not constitute endorsement of any entity.