• Saturday Stewardship Event

    Winter is the most critical time to save the forest floor! Join us to remove invasive Bush Honeysuckle, Multiflora Rose, and other invasive shrubs while the native plants are dormant. By clearing these shrubs now, we immediately flood the forest floor with winter sunlight and remove the chemical barriers that stop our native trees from...

  • Urban Environmental Challenge

    Run the trails you love. Van Cortlandt Track Club has hosted this classic park race for decades, and a portion of proceeds goes to the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance to support trail maintenance. 10K race for adults and kids races too. Register today.

  • Woodlawn Wednesday

    Woodlawn Wednesday

    Help restore the beautiful woodlands of Van Cortlandt Park’s east side! Join us for Woodlawn Wednesdays, where volunteers like you play a vital role in preserving this important urban ecosystem. You might: Remove Invasive Species: Tackle harmful plants like multiflora rose, bush honeysuckle, bittersweet, and Japanese angelica tree that threaten our native biodiversity. Maintain Trails:...

  • Trail Work Thursdays

    Trail Work Thursdays

    Help Maintain the Trails that Keep the Park Connected Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park. Whether you’re an experienced trailblazer or new to trail maintenance, your help will make a significant impact! What We’ll Be Doing: Learn how to plan and assess site to install a...

  • Forest Fridays

    Forest Fridays

    Volunteers will assist with forest restoration work, including invasive species removal, planting, compost management, and general site maintenance. Volunteers should wear long sleeves and pants, bring water and snacks, and be prepared for physical work. No prior experience required, but enthusiasm for environmental conservation is a plus. For April, Forest Fridays will meet at VCPA's...

  • Van Cortlandt Park Nature Group Walk

    Take a slow walk in the park and learn about local flora and fauna with naturalist Debbi Dolan. Debbi has a wealth of knowledge about nature, plants, and wildlife that she enjoys sharing. This walk will meet in front of the Van Cortlandt Nature Center and will walk through the wetland areas of Van Cortlandt Park.

  • Van Cortlandt Park Nature Group Walk

    Take a slow walk in the park and learn about local flora and fauna with naturalist Debbi Dolan. Debbi has a wealth of knowledge about nature, plants, and wildlife that she enjoys sharing. This walk will meet in the parking lot of the Riverdale Stables and will walk through the Northwest Woods of Van Cortlandt...

  • Birding with NYC Bird Alliance

    Birding with NYC Bird Alliance

    Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and NYC Bird Alliance invite you to join us during 4 weekend mornings of birding in the park this spring. Explore Van Cortlandt Park's ecologically diverse grounds and celebrate a long tradition of birding in the park. We will look for various species of resident and migratory birds and discuss a...

  • Pitch in for NYC Parks

    Pitch in for NYC Parks Day at Van Cortlandt Park Van Cortlandt Park is one of New York City’s largest and most ecologically rich parks, and keeping it clean takes community effort. Join Van Cortlandt Park Alliance for our annual Pitch in for NYC Parks Day event, a morning of hands-on park stewardship near Caryl...

  • Tree Identification Walk

    Put your ID skills to the test and have the opportunity to ask the experts! Think all trees look the same ? Think again! Join us for an in-person tree identification walk in Van Cortlandt Park hosted by Riverside Park Conservancy and Van Cortlandt Park Alliance where we will be identifying common New York trees....

  • Family Fun Day

    Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, Women of Woodlawn and Woodlawn Taxpayers Association Present Woodlawn Family Fun Day featuring: Face Painting NYRR Mobile Van Urban Park Rangers Woodland Family Walks Nature Crafts Bocce Games And more! RSVP Now.

  • Sunday Stewardship

    Join Van Cortlandt Park Alliance for Sunday Stewardship — hands-on ecological restoration in Van Cortlandt Park. No experience necessary. Tools, gloves, and guidance provided. This will be City Nature Challenge weekend!  Celebrate by helping with garlic mustard removal and iNaturalist species mapping. Bring your phone and a water bottle. Meeting at the southern end of...