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!
Friday, May 1
Planting Pollinators in the Living Shoreline
City Island Oyster Reef, Bronx, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Help prepare and plant urban pollinator gardens along the Living Shoreline Outdoor Education Center. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by City Island Oyster Reef. Please visit their website for more information.
Stewardship Bird Call
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
This program combines guided bird walks with hands-on stewardship activities. All levels of birders are welcome – volunteers will learn to identify local and migratory species while taking part in shoreline cleanups and horticultural maintenance that support healthy bird habitats. Program is hosted by Alliance For Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Please visit their website for more information.
Saturday, May 2
Tree and Shrub Planting
Alley Pond Park, Queens, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Volunteer with NYC Parks Stewardship Team to plant trees in Alley Pond Parks’ forest to improve conditions for surrounding plants, wildlife, and people. Volunteers will be trained in proper planting techniques. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website for more information.
Planting Pollinators in the Living Shoreline
City Island Oyster Reef, Bronx, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Help prepare and plant urban pollinator gardens along the Living Shoreline Outdoor Education Center. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by City Island Oyster Reef. Please visit their website for more information.
Riverkeeper Sweep
Randall’s Island Park, Manhattan, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Join the many factions of concerned community members working to de-pollute the Hudson River and its tributaries. Meet up at Icahn Stadium and spread out into the marshes and along the shoreline to remove trash, collect data, and measure cumulative impact. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by Randall’s Island Park Alliance. Please visit their website for more information.
Riverkeeper Sweep
Shoelace Park, Bronx, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Join the many factions of concerned community members working to de-pollute Bronx River and its tributaries. Meet up at Shoelace to remove trash, collect data, and measure cumulative impact. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website for more information.
Marine Park Shoreline Cleanup
Marine Park, Brooklyn, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Come together to help preserve the health and beauty of Brooklyn’s largest park. Volunteers will remove marine-bound debris from the park, shoreline, and surrounding trails, which directly benefits the overall ecosystem health for the many plants and animals that reside in the park. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the Jamaica Bay Rockaway Parks Conservancy. Please visit their website for more information.
Riverkeeper Sweep
Bronx Park, Bronx, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Join the many factions of concerned community members working to de-pollute Bronx River and its tributaries. Meet up at Shoelace to remove trash, collect data, and measure cumulative impact. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website for more information.
Saturdays, May 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30
Shoreline Cleanup
Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan, 10:30 a.m.– 1:00 p.m.
Volunteer to clean up a portion of the Hudson River shoreline. All necessary materials will be provided. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the NYC Parks Stewardship Team, Inwood Canoe Club, and Friends of Inwood Hill Park. Please visit NYC Parks’ website for more information.
Sunday, May 3
Stewardship Bird Call
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
This program combines guided bird walks with hands-on stewardship activities. All levels of birders are welcome – volunteers will learn to identify local and migratory species while taking part in shoreline cleanups and horticultural maintenance that support healthy bird habitats. Program is hosted by Alliance For Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Please visit their website for more information.
Planting Pollinators in the Living Shoreline
City Island Oyster Reef, Bronx, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Help prepare and plant urban pollinator gardens along the Living Shoreline Outdoor Education Center. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by City Island Oyster Reef. Please visit their website for more information.
Wednesdays, May 6, 13, 20 & 27
Team RIVER
Randall’s Island, Manhattan, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Volunteer with Team RIVER – Randall’s Island Volunteer Ecological Restorers- and 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 for more information.
Saturday, May 9
Forest Restoration
Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Help to protect and preserve the forested areas of Inwood Hill Park. In addition to learning proper restoration techniques, volunteers will learn the importance of species diversity and ecosystem health. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website for more information.
Vernal Pool Restoration
Highland Park, Queens, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Help take part in invasive species removal and ecological restoration to steward a vernal pool. Volunteers will be trained in proper restoration techniques and learn about the valuable ecosystem benefits that vernal pools provide for plants and wildlife. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website for more information.
Friday, May 15
Restoration Fridays
Highland Park, Queens, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Engage in hands-on forest restoration work, including invasive species removal, trail maintenance, and plantings. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website for more information.
Saturday, May 16
Many Waves of Change: Miller Field Beach Cleanup
Miller Field, Staten Island, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Join in for a fun, family-friendly beach cleanup – the more hands, the merrier! Help preserve the health of your local stretch of coastline, one piece of trash at a time. Program is hosted by NPS Gateway National Recreation Area. Please visit their website for more information.
Friday, May 22
Forest Restoration
Eibs Pond Park, Staten Island, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Engage in hands-on forest restoration work, including invasive species removal, trail maintenance, and plantings. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website for more information.
Restoration Fridays
Forest Park, Queens, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Engage in hands-on forest restoration work, including invasive species removal, trail maintenance, and plantings. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website for more information.
Sunday, May 24
Stewardship Pollinator Party
Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
An opportunity for all ages, come plant pollinator-friendly flowers and create spaces for urban pollinators to thrive. Learn how to collect, store, and plant seeds that will support bees, butterflies, and more. Program is hosted by Alliance for Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Please visit their website for more information.
Friday, May 29
Forest Restoration
Kissena Park, Queens, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Engage in hands-on forest restoration work, including invasive species removal, trail maintenance, and plantings. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website for more information
Restoration Fridays
Highland Park, Queens, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Engage in hands-on forest restoration work, including invasive species removal, trail maintenance, and plantings. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website for more information.
Saturday, May 30
Forest Restoration
Eibs Pond Park, Staten Island, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Engage in hands-on forest restoration work, including invasive species removal, trail maintenance, and plantings. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website for more information.
Forest Restoration
Udall’s Cove Park Preserve, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Engage in hands-on forest restoration work, including invasive species removal, trail maintenance, and plantings. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website for more information.