The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Region 5 is seeking volunteers for the first ever 'Adirondack and Catskill Park Day' event this Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. Adirondack and Catskill Park Day will offer service projects throughout the Adirondack and Catskill Parks that focus on the conservation and enhancement of these unique and beautiful Forest Preserve lands. The event, hosted in partnership with Parks and Trails New York, is part of the newly announced Love Our New York Lands Stewardship Days Campaign - an effort to encourage year-round stewardship and highlight the State’s outdoor recreation assets by offering a series of themed stewardship days throughout the year. 

Volunteer registration is currently open for Adirondack and Catskill Park Day. New Yorkers are encouraged to join their community in a cleanup, enhancement, or restoration event near them.  

This year, DEC Region 5 is hosting four volunteer opportunities for the public: 

Essex County: 

Adirondack Interpretive Center (AIC) – event hosted in partnership with the AIC 

 
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Meeting location: Adirondack Interpretive Center, 5922 NY-28N, Newcomb, NY 12852 
Project: Help clean up wildflower gardens and trail edges. Possibly include planting of wildflowers. 

What to bring: Gardening gloves and tools. 

All ages welcome! Register at Parks & Trails NY 

Adirondack Rail Trail—event hosted in partnership with the Adirondack Rail Trail Association 

 
Time: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Meeting location: DEC Region 5 Headquarters, 1115 NYS Route 86, Ray Brook, NY 12977 

Project: Carefully clear coating/treating the cut ends and top surfaces of new timber rail fences along Phase 1 of the Adirondack Rail Trail from Fowler's Crossing to Saranac Lake, potential to continue to portions of Fowler's Crossing to Lake Placid trail section.  

What to bring: Wear old clothes for painting and bring a paint brush and rags. 

Appropriate for adults 18 and over. Register at Parks & Trails NY  

Lake Harris Campground and Day Use Area 

 
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
Meeting location: Lake Harris Day Use Area, 291 Campsite Road, Newcomb, NY 12852  
Project: Campground raking and facility cleanup. 

What to bring: Work/gardening gloves. 
All ages welcome! Register at Parks & Trails NY 

Warren County: 

Rogers Rock Campground and Day Use Area 

 
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Meeting location: Campground entrance booth, 9894 Lake Shore Dr, Hague, NY 12836 
Project: Facility raking/cleanup and painting/staining throughout campground. 

What to bring: Work/gardening gloves. 
All ages welcome! Register at Parks & Trails NY 

Volunteers should sign up ahead of time at Parks & Trails New York. Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear proper footwear/work boots, and long pants. Sunscreen and insect repellant are recommended. A bagged lunch and/or snacks and water are appropriate. This event is rain or shine.