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Fairfax County Park Authority graphic of National Public Lands Day

National Public Lands Day – Volunteer at a Fairfax County Park!

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Photo: Fairfax County Park Authority

Since 1994, National Public Lands Day (September 27, 2025) has mobilized volunteers of all ages to engage in a celebration of service and stewardship of America’s public lands. The event is the largest single-day national volunteer effort to preserve, restore, improve and enjoy America’s public lands.

The Fairfax County Park Authority invites you to help celebrate National Public Lands Day by taking part in any of a wide selection of service activities to protect the natural, cultural and recreational resources of the county’s treasured park system. There are a number of locations where you can sign up to help on September 27, ranging from trash cleanup to invasive plant removal.

To learn more, please visit the county’s page on National Public Lands Day or see below.

Who can participate? Anyone 8 and older

For specific park, time and activity, please see below. Each sign-up link provides further details about each location’s activities, including a site contact. You can also look up each activity through the Volunteer Fairfax site.

Location Volunteer Activity Date Time Check-in location VMS Sign-Up
Wakefield Trash cleanup, 20 volunteers Sept 27 9 – 11 a.m. Map Sign Up
Difficult Run SVP Trash cleanup and trimming overgrowth along trail, 10 volunteers Sept 27 9 – 11 a.m. Map Sign Up
Huntley Meadows Park Watershed Cleanup Sept 27 9 – 11 a.m. Map Sign Up
Colvin Run Mill Park Invasive pull Sept 27 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Map Sign Up
Hidden Oaks Invasive pull Sept 27 9 – 11 a.m. Map Sign Up
Laurel Hill Park Removal of vegetation obscuring rail box car feature along Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail (GCCCT) Sept 27 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Map Sign Up
Oakmont Park Invasive Management Area (IMA) site leader will host a Helping Our Lands Heal (HOLH) restoration project Sept 27 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Map Sign Up
Twin Lakes GC Invasive Management Area (IMA) workday Sept 27 9 – 11 a.m. Map Sign Up
Sully Historic Site Trail work, garden clean up & grounds clean up Sept 27 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Map Sign Up
Eakin Community Park Invasive Management Area (IMA) workday Sept 27 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Map Sign Up

 

Invasive Removal Projects at Riverbend Park, June 26th

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Photo: FMN Ana Ka’ahanui, Riverbend

 

Invasive Removal Projects @Riverbend Park

Thursday June 26, 2025
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Riverbend Park
Get Directions 

8700 Potomac Hills St.
Great Falls, VA 22066

 

Sign-up information

Meet at the Riverbend Park Visitor Center
Riverbend Park needs your help! Join Fairfax County Park Authority for an invasive removal project this summer and help restore and preserve Riverbend’s natural resources. Enjoy a day outdoors and do some good!

Duties:
Sign up for an Invasive Removal Day! Make sure to wear and bring good outdoor-gear, long pants, boots, long-sleeve shirt, water, bug spray, and anything the weather may call for (hats, sunglasses, etc!) Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own work gloves. Students under 16 years old, must volunteer with a parent/guardian. The supervising adult may register and inform the Volunteer Coordinator that they are volunteering with a student.

Qualifications:
Must be able to walk on hilly natural trails and work outdoors. Interest in the stewardship of the county’s natural and cultural resources. Basic knowledge and identification skills of local plants helpful but not required. Volunteers may receive service hour credit. Contact Casey.Pittrizzi@fairfaxcounty.gov

Purpose:
Invasive plants are a threat to native wildlife and animals. These projects aim to control and reduce the spread of invasives of concern so that native wildflowers, plants, and trees have space to thrive. Healthy habitats have a positive ecological effect on native wildlife!

Benefits:
Hands-on experience in resource management and ecological restoration. Make a difference in the Potomac River ecosystem!

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Park Authority. In working to ensure everyone’s safety, if you are not feeling well, please stay home!

Minimum age: 16

Invasive Removal and Habitat Restoration, Various Dates

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Photo: FMN Margaret Fisher, Trees being engulfed by invasive plants

Various dates and times

Various locations

Join these efforts to remove invasive species, repair trails, and otherwise beautify natural spaces! Visit the links below to learn more.

Invasive Removal and Habitat Restoration, October and November Dates

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Photo: Earth Sangha, Section of restored native woods at the preserve.

Join these efforts to remove invasive species, repair trails, and otherwise beautify natural spaces!