Press Release
September 19, 2025
(518) 486-1868 | news@parks.ny.gov
State Parks and DEC Invite New Yorkers to Participate in Wildlife Day Events
Statewide stewardship activities and educational demonstrations held to celebrate New York wildlife conservation on October 4
Activities Promote State's ‘Get Offline, Get Outside' and ‘Love Our New York Lands' Campaigns
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today encouraged New Yorkers to give back to the State lands and sites they enjoy by participating in events for Wildlife Day on Saturday, October 4. Wildlife Day provides a perfect opportunity to participate in wildlife conservation service projects and educational workshops across the state, celebrating New York's diverse wildlife and habitats.
New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, "Wildlife Day is a great opportunity to strengthen our community's connection to our New York public lands and the wildlife that makes our parks so special. We're proud to join our partners at Department of Environmental Conservation and Parks & Trails New York in promoting responsible stewardship and ensuring that these lands remain protected and accessible for all to enjoy and discover."
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, "New York is home to a diverse range of habitats and wildlife that deserve our respect and continued stewardship. DEC experts do an excellent job managing these resources and Wildlife Day is a perfect opportunity for New Yorkers to get outside and partner with us on actions to preserve and protect the incredible public lands and recreational opportunities our state offers."
Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Paul Steely White said, "The health of our state depends on the vitality of the wildlife that call New York home. By protecting the habitats that sustain everything from eagles and turtles to the smallest pollinators, we ensure that future generations can experience the same wonder and connection to nature that inspires us today."
Registration is currently open for Wildlife Day. Participants can plant native plant species and remove invasives to foster healthy wildlife habitat, learn how to build bird and bat houses that will benefit a variety of species, clean up trash and debris at popular destinations, or pair stewardship efforts with a birding or nature walk that highlights the importance of wildlife conservation.
Wildlife Day is part of the Love Our New York Lands stewardship campaign – a series of themed public stewardship events that encourage year-round volunteerism and highlight the State's outdoor recreation assets and the need to safeguard these resources. The series kicked off in April with Canal Clean Sweep, followed by I Love My Park Day in May, and Adirondack and Catskill Park Day in September. These days are organized in partnership with Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the New York State Canal Corporation.
To encourage year-round stewardship, the goal of Love Our New York Lands is to help protect natural resources by providing visitors with the knowledge necessary to reduce their impact, engage users to practice sustainable and safe recreation, and help all visitors feel welcome while visiting State lands.
This event complements Governor Hochul's "Get Offline, Get Outside" campaign to encourage New York's kids and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings, and put their mental and physical health first. The campaign builds on the Governor's efforts to promote healthy living among young people and families, including signing first-in-the-nation legislation to protect kids from addictive social media feeds and shield their personal data from online platforms.
About Parks & Trails New York
Parks & Trails New York is New York's leading statewide advocate for parks and trails, dedicated since 1985 to improving our health, economy, and quality of life through the use and enjoyment of green space for all. With thousands of members and supporters across the state, PTNY is a leading voice in the protection of New York's magnificent state park system and the creation and promotion of more than 1,500 miles of greenways, bike paths, river walks and trails. More information can be found here.
About the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 88 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.
About the Department of Environmental Conservation
DEC manages five million acres of public lands, including three million acres in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve, 55 campgrounds and day-use areas, more than 5,000 miles of formal trails and hundreds of trailheads, boat launches, and fishing piers. Plan your next outdoor adventure and connect with us on Facebook, Bluesky, Flickr and Instagram.