Volunteer in Van Cortlandt Park

Learn about our different stewardship programs below. Check our Calendar Page for upcoming events and to sign up, or contact stewardship@vancortlandt.org for more information.

Launched in the Summer of 2020, the Vital Volunteers program is for park lovers who want to volunteer on their own time and commit to working regularly in Van Cortlandt Park on a monthly basis. 

After participating in a required orientation and field training, you’ll identify a hiking or nature trail to maintain (with VCPA staff, of course!). Orientation and Field Training take place in March and September.

Choose to be part of the Litter Patrol or a Trail Maintainer. As a member of the Litter Patrol, you’ll remove trash and report vandalism. Trail Maintainers prune the trail corridor, pull non-indigenous plant species, and remove trash and obstructions along the trail. 

Vital Volunteers report on their accomplishments at the end of each park session.
Interested in becoming a Vital Volunteer? Contact stewardship@vancortlandt.org.
Support for this program comes from The New York Community Trust.

Yes, YOU can care for the 20+ miles of nature and hiking trails of Van Cortlandt Park.
Projects include corridor pruning, drainage clearing, raking, trail building, and overall trail maintenance. No prior experience is necessary. During the summer and fall months, work is focused on the historic Cross Country Trail.
Wednesday mornings: 9AM-12PM

With 640 acres of forest and wetland, there is always plenty to do and learn.
Projects include removing non-indigenous plant species, planting indigenous species, and assisting with ongoing forest research activities. No prior experience is necessary.
Friday mornings: 9AM-12 PM

Turnip to volunteer! At the VCPA Educational Garden & Compost Site, we are open and currently rebuilding the space while maintaining our plants and produce! Volunteers will learn how to care for the garden, maintain compost bins, weed, water, and harvest produce. No gardening experience needed. 18 and older. 

Groups of 5+ must register as a unit. See below or email gardening@vancortlandt.org

Spring 2023: April, May, June. Every other week, 10am-1pm (2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month)

Young people CAN make a difference! This 8-week,volunteer program will give middle school students the opportunity to learn and work in an urban garden and fulfill their community service requirements. Students will plant and tend to vegetables, herbs, and flowers while learning about topics such as pollinators and composting. Join us once, twice, or all eight sessions. 

8 week program on Wednesdays, 4:30-6:30pm.
Spring 2023: April 19 to June 7, for students in grades 6-8.
If you are interested, please fill out this form.

It’s a big park and we need your help to keep it looking good! Natural Areas projects include trash removal from Tibbetts Brook, garlic mustard pulls throughout the park, tree plantings and more.

The Educational Garden can always use some helping hands! Projects include preparing the garden for the upcoming season, building compost bins, and more.

Individuals and groups of 4 or less are welcome. (Groups of 5+ must register as a unit. See below.)

Spring and Fall 2023: Saturdays. See calendar for dates.

We ♥ Groups! VCPA will work with you to schedule a volunteer project on a weekday for your group of 5+ people.

Are you a school group? Corporate team? Church, mosque, or synagogue cohort?
Please fill out one of the forms linked below. Payment information is included in the forms.

• Corporate groups, please fill out this form.
• School groups or nonprofits, please fill out this form.

All volunteers are required to sign a waiver at the beginning of the project.
Volunteers under the age of 18 must have a parent sign the waiver form.
Print out and bring this waiver to the volunteer event or fill out the form upon arrival.

Contact stewardship@vancortlandt.org