Live close to the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River? Volunteer your time their on National Public Lands Day, September 30/NPS

Looking to volunteer in the National Park System? On September 30, National Public Lands Day, there will be myriad opportunities. One will be at Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River in Pennsylvania and New York. On that day, the park staff will be hosting a park-wide volunteer event that will focus on maintaining the park’s treasured natural and historical resources.

The three projects for which volunteers are needed to assist rangers are cleaning up the river from Narrowsburg, New York, to the Ten Mile River Access, New York; restoring the Tusten Mountain Trail near Ten Mile River access; and clearing mile-a-minute, a highly invasive weed from around the Zane Grey Museum and Lackawaxen Access.

River cleanups are a great way to get out on the river while helping keep the Delaware River beautiful and clean. Lander’s River Trips is generously donating the equipment, including lifejackets, canoes, and paddles. Volunteers should bring appropriate gear, such as a change of clothes, close-toed shoes, a hat, sunscreen, plenty of water, and a bagged lunch. It is important to note that volunteers should plan to get wet, and should be comfortable around moving water.

If you would like to volunteer, but would prefer to stay dry, there are two other projects to choose from. You can join a trail restoration on the Tusten Mountain Trail, located near the Ten Mile River Access, and help staff clear and widen the trail and vista, install trail markers, and remove hazards from the hiking path. This is a great opportunity to get outdoors, enjoy scenic views, and make a difference for future hikers. All tools and safety equipment will be provided. To help on this project, all you will need to bring are sturdy shoes, plenty of water, sunscreen, insect repellant, a hat, and a bagged lunch.  

Finally, you could help make a difference pulling mile-a-minute and other invasive plants around the Zane Grey Museum and Lackawaxen Access, Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania. Volunteers will learn to identify mile-a-minute, and help staff to safely pull it in order to restore native plants. Tools and gloves will be provided to volunteers. Be sure to bring close-toed shoes, plenty of water, sunscreen, insect repellant, hat, and a bagged lunch.

National Public Lands Day at Upper Delaware will begin with registration and a reception from 9 a.m.-9:30 a.m. on September 30 at the Ten Mile River Access, Crawford Road, Narrowsburg, New York. At 9:30 a.m. volunteer groups will move to the designated work locations. The event will finish up as each project concludes.

The Park Service relies on volunteers to achieve its goal of stewardship, and appreciates the hard work and commitment of volunteers who have helped to keep the Delaware River clean and beautiful.

For information on this volunteer event visit https://www.neefusa.org/site-event/national-public-lands-day-upper-delaware.  If you would like to participate in any of these projects or want more details, please call Kelleen Lanagan at (570) 729-7134 ext. 2230 or send an email to [email protected].