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!
Thursday, May 1
River Cleanup
Bronx River Forest, Bronx, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Help the Conservation Crew clean up the Bronx River. Remove litter and debris from the river and surrounding parkland. Your efforts not only protect wildlife & the Bronx River ecosystem, but they also help us identify the sources of trash so we can stop the pollution where it starts. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the Bronx River Alliance. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Saturday, May 3
Coastal Cleanup
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Be a part of Riverkeeper’s annual Sweep and volunteer to remove debris that has washed up onto park beaches with the tides. You’ll also help document the types of trash collected-important data that is shared with the Ocean Conservancy to support global efforts in understanding and combating plastic pollution. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by Brooklyn Bridge Park. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Riverkeeper Sweep
Bronx Park, Bronx, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Help remove litter from the Bronx River and surrounding trails. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by NYC Parks Stewardship Team, Riverkeeper, and Teddy Bear Project. Please visit NYC Parks’ website to register and for more information.
Riverkeeper Sweep
Randall’s Island Park, Manhattan, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Join hundreds of others throughout the Hudson River watershed to help keep the shoreline free of marine plastics and refuse at the annual Riverkeeper Sweep. Community friends and partners band together to remove and prevent hundreds of pounds of litter from getting into rivers. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by Randall’s Island Park Alliance. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Saturday, May 3
Shoreline Cleanup
Hudson River Park, Manhattan, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Help improve conditions in local waterways, protect Hudson River Park’s Estuarine Sanctuary and build a community of dedicated environmental stewards! Program is hosted by Hudson River Park. Please visit their website for more information.
Friday, May 9
Forest Restoration
Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. This program is hosted by NYC Parks Stewardship Team and NYC Service. Please visit NYC Parks’ website to register and for more information.
Wetland Cleanup
Bush Terminal Park, Brooklyn, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Volunteers will help remove debris in order to help restore the wetland and create a healthier ecosystem, as well as get the chance to meet the animals that live in its water. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by NYC Parks Stewardship Team and the Billion Oyster Project. Please visit NYC Parks’ website to register and for more information.
Saturday, May 10
Forest Restoration
Inwood Hill Park, Manhattan, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work in Inwood Hill Park and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Sunday, May 11
Mother Earth Cleanup and Nature Exploration
Rockaway Community Park, Queens, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Celebrate Mother's Day and honor Mother Earth by collecting the trash washing up on the shores of Jamaica Bay as you learn about the park’s ecosystem and natural world. Program is hosted by NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers. Please visit their website for more information.
Thursday, May 15
Horseshoe Crab Walk and Coastal Cleanup
Vernam Barbadoes Peninsula, Queens, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
This coastal cleanup coincides with the full moon high tide, which marks the beginning of the annual horseshoe crab spawning season in Jamaica Bay. Volunteers will get the opportunity to witness this incredible natural event and help remove debris from the coastline, thereby creating a healthier ecosystem. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Saturday, May 17
Mile-a-Minute Pull
Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Restore this beachside meadow along Orchard Beach in Pelham Bay Park! Volunteers will help remove a mile-a-minute vine from a sensitive ecosystem that is home to locally endangered and rare plant species. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Wednesday, May 28
Horseshoe Crab Walk and Coastal Cleanup
Vernam Barbadoes Peninsula, Queens, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
This coastal cleanup coincides with the full moon high tide, which marks the beginning of the annual horseshoe crab spawning season in Jamaica Bay. Volunteers will get the opportunity to witness this incredible natural event and help remove debris from the coastline, thereby creating a healthier ecosystem. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by the NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website to register and for more information.
Friday, May 30
Forest Restoration
Kissena Park, Queens, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work in Kissena Park and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health. REIGSTRATION IS REQUIRED. Program is hosted by NYC Parks Stewardship Team. Please visit their website to register and for more information.