Governor Kathy Hochul has invited residents of New York to take part in Adirondack and Catskill Park Day on Saturday, September 6. The event encourages people to step away from digital devices and participate in service projects aimed at preserving and protecting local parks and recreational areas, especially the Adirondack and Catskill Parks.
“Back for a second year, I am inviting the public to Adirondack and Catskill Park Day to help New York State support the environmental and cultural legacy of both regions with a day of stewardship throughout 6.5 million acres of unrivaled lands and forests in these parks,” Governor Hochul said. “Conservation is a responsibility we all share to help protect New York’s outdoor spaces, and I thank those who will give back and participate.”
Adirondack and Catskill Park Day is part of the broader “Love Our New York Lands” stewardship campaign. This series includes several themed public events that promote volunteerism throughout the year while drawing attention to New York’s outdoor recreation resources. Earlier events in this series included Canal Clean Sweep in April and I Love My Park Day in May. Wildlife Day, scheduled for October 4, will follow Adirondack and Catskill Park Day. These activities are organized with groups such as Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the Canal Corporation.
Registration is open for those interested in joining Adirondack and Catskill Park Day activities. Opportunities include cleaning up campgrounds after summer use, maintaining gardens for wildlife, picking up litter at popular sites, or helping keep hiking trails safe for visitors.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Every New Yorker can help make a positive difference and protect the environment during Adirondack and Catskill Park Day stewardship events on September 6th. I encourage you to sign up today for one of the volunteer opportunities available for groups and individuals to help sustainably protect New York’s natural resources and enhance recreational offerings throughout the Forest Preserve.”
New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons added, “The variety and expanse of public lands New York has to offer is unmatched. As stewards of these special places, we are glad to join our partners from the Department of Environmental Conservation and Parks & Trails to further support the Governor’s ‘Get Offline, Get Outside’ initiative.We all are working to ensure these lands are here today and remain accessible and affordable for decades.”
Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Paul Steely White stated, “Volunteerism strengthens our shared connection to New York’s public lands, serving as a reminder of the joy and responsibility that comes with spending time in nature. Parks & Trails New York is proud to help foster a culture of stewardship to ensure our state’s iconic landscapes remain safe, welcoming, and sustainable for generations to come.”
The event also supports Governor Hochul’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” campaign designed to encourage families—especially children—to spend less time on screens by engaging in outdoor recreation that benefits mental and physical health. This effort follows legislative measures signed by Governor Hochul intended to protect young people from addictive social media content.
The “Love Our New York Lands” initiative aims not only at protecting natural resources but also at providing education about minimizing human impact on state lands while encouraging inclusive access.
Parks & Trails New York advocates statewide for green spaces since 1985 by promoting parks, trails, bike paths, river walks, greenways totaling more than 1,500 miles across New York.
The Department of Environmental Conservation manages millions of acres across state lands including extensive tracts within both preserves as well as numerous campgrounds/trails used by residents each year.
