Community Stewardship

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

Launched the Summer of 2020, the Vital Volunteers program is aimed at engaging individuals interested in assisting in park maintenance on their own time. As part of the program, individuals must go through a field training process. Once approved, the individual will work with VCPA staff to determine a hiking or nature trail that the individual will help maintain. An individual can become a Litter Patroller or a Trail Maintainer. Responsibilities of a Litter Patroller include removing trash and reporting large trail issues and vandalism. Responsibilities of a Trail Maintainer include trail corridor pruning, non-indigenous plant species removal, and removing obstructions along the trail.

If you are interested in becoming a Vital Volunteer, please contact stewardship@vancortlandt.org.

Support for this program comes from the New York Community Trust.

Every Wednesday morning you can assist us in caring for the nature and hiking trails of Van Cortlandt Park. With over 20 miles of trails, this work is needed for upkeep. During the Summer and Fall months, the work is heavily focused on the Cross Country Trail. Projects include corridor pruning, drainage clearing, raking, and trail building. No prior experience is necessary as our Natural Areas Stewardship team will guide you.

Community members join our Natural Areas Stewardship team each Friday to assist in forest and wetland management activities. With 700 acres of forest and wetland, there is always plenty to do and learn. Projects include removal of non-indigenous plant species, planting indigenous species or assisting with one of our ongoing forest research activities.

Held on the 3rd Saturday of each month during the Spring and Fall seasons, these events are open to the public to assist in park maintenance. Each month has a different themed event, depending on what we need assistance with within the park. Some of the events include trash removal from Tibbetts Brook, Educational Garden harvest days and garlic mustard pulls.

Groups can schedule a volunteer project if at least 10 people can be present for the event. These events can be scheduled with our staff for weekdays and are geared towards school groups and corporations. There are no fees for School Groups or Nonprofit Groups to schedule a volunteer day. Please visit our Corporate Volunteer Days page for more information and fees for these programs.

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.