New York’s first ever Adirondack and Catskill Park Day is Saturday, September 7. The day is dedicated to cleaning up campgrounds, planting native plants, and removing invasive species in the 6.5 million acre “Forever Wild” forest preserves..

The event is part of the "Get Offline, Get Outside" campaign, which encourages New Yorkers to spend time in nature and reconnect with the outdoors.

Governor Hochul cited the “record number of visitors” to the preserves as the impetus for the day, which highlights “the need for stewardship and conservation.” Conservation, the governor said, “is a responsibility we all share to help protect New York’s outdoor spaces for years to come.”

Adirondack and Catskill Park Day is one of several events in the Love Our New York Lands campaign, which is dedicated to promoting responsible year-round stewardship in state parks. The series of events begins in April with the Canal Clean Sweep, and runs through May with I Love My Park Day. Adirondack and Catskill Park Day is the next event in the series, and will be followed by Fish and Wildlife Day on Saturday, September 28.

"As summer winds down and we move into the fall hiking and outdoor recreation season, it is the perfect time for visitors to join volunteer efforts to protect New York’s natural resources and our most treasured outdoor spaces. Adirondack and Catskill Park Day stewardship events on September 7th offer valuable opportunities for groups and individuals to give back to nature and New York State and support our Adirondack and Catskill Parks," Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said.

Registration for Adirondack and Catskill Park Day is currently open. The event offers volunteer opportunities for groups and individuals to help with conservation and enhancement efforts. Participants can help clean up campgrounds, plant native plant species, and remove invasives to preserve wilderness areas, pick up trash and debris at popular destinations, or help maintain hiking trails to foster safe and sustainable outdoor recreation. Sign up here: https://www.ptny.org/events/love-our-new-york-lands