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National Public Lands Day at Valley Forge

volunteers wear gloves and hold large plastic bags in a meadow
Volunteers treat invasive plants on the Weed Warriors project.

NPS Photo

The next National Public Lands Day will take place on Saturday, September 23, 2023. Learn how to register and see full descriptions of the service projects below!

National Public Lands Day Service Projects on Sep. 23, 2023

Due to forecasted inclement weather, service projects have been cancelled for Saturday, Septmber 23, 2023.

Join us for a fun day of outdoor service at Valley Forge National Historical Park. Spaces are limited and volunteers must register by 12 PM on Monday, September 11, 2023. After this time walk-ons will not be accepted.

Read descriptions of the 2023 service projects and register at the link below. Please inlcude the following in your registration application:

  • You top two preferred projects.

  • The maximum number of people in your group.

All participants are encouraged to explore the park after their service project concludes. Check out the new museum exhibits in our recently renovated Visitor Center, our updated park film, find out what other recreational options exist, and take advantage of a 10% discount at The Valley Forge Encampment Store (i.e., a gift store). Each participant will also receive one coupon from the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) that entitles them to enjoy a day of fee-free access on participating public lands sites, including entrance and day use fees, for an entire year following National Public Lands Day (NPLD).

Light Work

  1. Trash pickup (14 spots): Volunteers will walk along the park's Joseph Plumb Martin (JPM) trail and use a trash picker and trash bags to remove trash. This family friendly project will be lead by the Valley Forge Park Alliance in conjunction with the local REI (King of Prussia) store.

Moderately Strenuous Work

  1. Light Trail Maintenance (6 spots): Volunteers will use wheelbarrows, shovels, and rakes to transport and spread wood chips across a section of trail near the popular Varnum's picnic area.

  2. Train Station Exterior Cleaning (4 spots): Volunteers will use rags, buckets, brooms, and basic cleaning supplies to sweep the platform, wash the columns, and wipe windows of the train station near Washington's Headquarters.

  3. Springhouse Cleanout (4 spots): Volunteers will use shovels, rakes, and buckets to remove debris and clear out any material blocking the outflow areas of the springhouses near Washington's Headquarters.

  4. Fence cleanup and sign installation (14 spots): Volunteers will use common handtools to cut, pull, rake, and remove plant overgrowth and install signage along the fence at Wayne's Woods. (Moderately strenuous work.)

  5. Weed Warriors (15 spots): Volunteers will use loppers, hand pruners, and other common handtools to cut, pull, and remove invasive plants. (Moderately strenuous work.)

Highly Strenuous Work

  1. Heavy Trail Maintenance (16 spots): Volunteers will use wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, and mcleods to install two checksteps along a popular trail at Mount Misery.

  2. Crayfish Corps (15 spots): Volunteers will walk in moving water and lift rocks while using a net to remove invasive crayfish from Valley Creek.

General Schedule for National Public Lands Day 2023

Volunteers should plan to arrive between 7:45 and 8:15 AM to sign in at the Visitor Center Lower (Parking) Lot. The day will officially begin at 8:30 AM with some words of welcome from Valley Forge National Historical Park Superintendent Rose Fennell, then participants will meet with the park staff who will serve as their onsite project leaders. Project work will take place from approximately 9 AM to noon.

Register for NPLD 2023

  • Detailed information regarding required paperwork, safety and logistical preparation tips, and next steps will be sent to the final list of registrants.

  • In case of inclement weather, the event staff will notify registered volunteers by 5 PM on Thursday, September 21, 2023.

Register at: www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a093d000000uKh8AAE/national-public-lands-day-2023-at-valley-forge

A group of smiling people stand outside, under trees in a parking lot
24 volunteers participated in three different volunteer projects on National Public Lands Day in 2022.

NPS Photo

Projects in 2022

  • National Public Lands Day projects at Valley Forge resumed after a 3-year hiatus on September 24, 2022.

  • Volunteers were part of three different prjoects: reconstructing 700 feet of worm fencing near Wayne's Woods, removing invasive plants along Valley Creek, and cleaning out a culvert near the Mount Misery trailhead in order to help mitigate the effects of stormwater runoff and erosion.

  • 24 total volunteers participated, including 4 families with kids.

  • Valley Forge National Historical Park Superintendent Rose Fennell welcomed everyone and emphasized that this work contributes to the stewardship of the park, and that stewardship is an integral part of the Valley Forge story.

Valley Forge National Historical Park

Last updated: September 22, 2023