Volunteer Projects
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Volunteer Projects
New York City’s natural areas are a vital resource for all New Yorkers. These park spaces capture rainwater, supply fresh air, and provide habitat for wildlife! In addition to the volunteer opportunities offered below, NYC Parks Stewardship provides communities with opportunities to care for our city’s forests, wetlands, salt marshes, and street trees throughout the year. Their volunteer events include planting trees and shrubs, removing invasive plants, plant protection, trail restoration, and street tree care that benefits all New Yorkers—animal and human alike.
Visit the NYC Parks Stewardship page to find out how you can volunteer for an event, or train to be an advanced volunteer!
Wednesdays, October 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29
Team RIVER
Randall’s Island, Manhattan, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Help care for the many gardens, green streets, and meadows on the island. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the Randall’s Island Park Alliance. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Saturday, October 4
Forest Restoration
Alley Pond Park, Queens, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Volunteer to protect the forested areas in Alley Pond Park! Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Program is hosted by NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Forest Restoration
Kissena Park, Queens, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Volunteer to protect the forested areas in Kissena Park! Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Program is hosted by NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Beach Cleanup
Oakwood Beach, Staten Island, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Volunteer to help remove debris along the coast of Staten Island. Gloves, bags, and pickers are provided. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by NYCH2O. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Monday, October 6
Pitch In to Pick Up
Starlight Park, Bronx, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Volunteer to clean up litter and prevent it from entering the Bronx River. Your efforts not only protect wildlife & the rest of the Bronx River ecosystem, this also helps to identify the sources of trash so we can stop the pollution where it starts. Gloves and tools provided. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the Bronx River Alliance. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Sunday, October 11
Forest Restoration
Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Volunteer to protect the forested areas in Inwood Hill Park! Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Program is hosted by NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Monday, October 13
Shrub Planting
Rockaway Beach & Boardwalk, Queens, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Volunteer to restore coastal habitats at Arverne East Nature Preserve. Coastal shrublands provide a variety of benefits including improved water quality and critical habitat for wildlife. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Program is hosted by NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Saturday, October 18
Shrub Planting
Coney Island Creek Park, Brooklyn, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Volunteer to restore coastal habitats at Coney Island Creek Park. Coastal shrublands provide a variety of benefits including improved water quality and critical habitat for wildlife. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Program is hosted by NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Sunday, October 19
Coastal Cleanup
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Help beautify the shoreline by removing debris that washes into the park’s marshes and beaches with the tides. Volunteers will also document the types of trash collected in an effort to understand and combat plastic pollution. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by Brooklyn Bridge Park. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Monday, October 20
Pitch In to Pick Up
Starlight Park, Bronx, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Volunteer to clean up litter and prevent it from entering the Bronx River. Your efforts not only protect wildlife & the rest of the Bronx River ecosystem, this also helps to identify the sources of trash so we can stop the pollution where it starts. Gloves and tools provided. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the Bronx River Alliance. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Monday, October 27
Pitch In to Pick Up
Starlight Park, Bronx, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Volunteer to clean up litter and prevent it from entering the Bronx River. Your efforts not only protect wildlife & the rest of the Bronx River ecosystem, this also helps to identify the sources of trash so we can stop the pollution where it starts. Gloves and tools provided. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the Bronx River Alliance. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Friday, October 31
Forest Restoration
Kissena Park, Queens, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Volunteer to protect the forested areas in Kissena Park! Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Program is hosted by NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Saturday, November 1
CleanSweep
Rockaway Community Park, Queens, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Enjoy the fall weather and end the year with a gift of clean shorelines. The prevailing winds and tides bring major debris into Jamaica Bay. Program is hosted by the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy. Please visit their website for more information.