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!
Tuesday, September 2
Rockaway Refresh-Flow and Clean
Rockaway Beach 106th, Queens, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Help refresh Rockaway’s boardwalk, beach, and shoreline at this cleanup after a busy beach weekend. We will kick things off with Refresh Yoga-a short 10-15 minute session of gentle, grounding movement-and then head to the sand to clean up the shoreline. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Park Conservancy. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Rockaway Refresh
Rockaway Beach 86th, Queens, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Help refresh Rockaway’s boardwalk, beach, and shoreline at this cleanup after a busy beach weekend. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Park Conservancy. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Wednesdays, September 3, 10, 17, 24 & October 1
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.
Thursday, September 4
River Cleanup
Bronx River Forest, Bronx, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Help remove litter and debris from the Bronx River and surrounding parkland. All materials provided. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the Bronx River Alliance. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Saturday, September 6
Beach Cleanup
Conference House, Staten Island, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Volunteer to help remove debris along the Arthur Kill coast where it opens into Raritan Bay. 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, September 8
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.
Saturday, September 13
International Coastal Cleanup
Dubos Point Wildlife Sanctuary, Queens, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Every age is encouraged to participate in the annual International Coastal Cleanup event. All collected trash will be entered into a national database, which goes to help establish legislation to reduce trash along our shares. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by RISE and the American Littoral Society. Please visit RISE’s website to register and for more information.
Beach Cleanup
Plumb Beach, Brooklyn, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Volunteer to help remove debris along the coast of Sheepshead Bay. 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, September 15
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.
Saturday, September 20
International Coastal Cleanup
Randall’s Island, Manhattan, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
With miles of rocky coastline, Randall’s Island Park can always use a hand removing marine plastics and litter that gather between the rocks and in our marshes. Volunteers will be sent to various places on the island to collect and record what they remove. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the Randall’s Island Park Alliance. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
International Coastal Cleanup
Castle Hill, Bronx, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
In partnership with volunteer organizations and individuals around the globe, the International Coastal Cleanup engages people to remove trash from the world’s beaches and waterways. Sunscreen, gloves, bags, and grabbers provided. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the Waterfront Alliance and Castle Hill YMCA. Please the Alliance’s website to register and for more information.
International Coastal Cleanup
North Channel Bridge, Queens, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Join this monthly beach cleanup series and help make Jamaica Bay a better place for everyone. Gloves, garbage bags, and pickers will be provided. Program is hosted by Sadhana and NPS Gateway National Recreation Area. Please visit NPS’ website for more information.
Coastal Cleanup
Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Help clean up the shoreline. Gloves, pickers, and garbage bags will be provided. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by NYCH2O. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
International Coastal Cleanup
Shirley Chisholm Park, Brooklyn, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Volunteer to help clean debris off the shoreline at the Fountain Water Access Area. All materials provided. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by NYS Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
International Coastal Cleanup
Dubos Point Wildlife Sanctuary, Queens, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
In honor of this annual event, join other volunteers to remove trash and debris from the important shorelines and wetlands while enjoying incredible views of Jamaica Bay. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by Jamaica-Bay Rockaway Parks Conservancy. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Monday, September 22
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, September 26
Forest Restoration
Kissena Park, Queens, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.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 for more information.
Saturday, September 27
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 for more information.
Beach Cleanup
Canarsie Park, Brooklyn, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Volunteer to help remove debris from this park which overlooks Paerdegat Basin. This park is home to a surprising diversity of wildlife spanning multiple aquatic ecosystems due to its close proximity to the seashore and its lesser-known wetland hiking trails. Gloves, bags, and pickers are provided. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by NYCH2O. Please visit their website to register and for more information.