2026 Stewardship Opportunities
Saturday, September 26
Legacy Clean Up Project
Volunteers will restore habitat by removing discarded metal culverts, fencing, and other larger scrap metal items. Must be able to haul items about 100 yards to a dumpster on site. Wear long pants and long sleeves and gloves.
Volunteers Needed: 10+
Shawnee State Park
132 State Park Rd, Schellsburg, PA 15559
Sunday, September 26, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Preserve Environmental Education Storage Shed
Volunteers will bring life and longevity back to the storage area that is home to environmental education materials through scraping, painting, and staining an old storage shed near the Shawnee State Park office. May need to climb a ladder.
Volunteers Needed: 5
Shawnee State Park
132 State Park Rd, Schellsburg, PA 15559
Sunday, September 26, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Felton Trail Restoration
Keep boots out of the water and mud—and protect the life of the trail while also preserving water quality—by building a walkway across a wet area. Ability to use tools and a willingness to get a little wet are important.
Volunteers Needed: 10-15
Shawnee State Park
132 State Park Rd, Schellsburg, PA 15559
Sunday, September 26, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Sunday, September 27
Habitat Protection – Invasive Species Removal
Help protect natural habitats while providing the raw materials for fish enhancement through invasive species removal. Volunteers will remove vegetation in various locations throughout Shawnee State Park. Wear long pants and long sleeves and gloves.
Volunteers Needed: Open to all
Shawnee State Park
132 State Park Rd, Schellsburg, PA 15559
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Discover Bedford Hiking Club Maintenance Hike
Discover Bedford Hiking Club will lead a 4-mile out-and-back trek on the Mid State Trail with loppers and clippers on hand for some trail maintenance as we go.
Volunteers Needed: WAITLIST
Mid-State Trail
Discover Bedford 131 S. Juliana St, Bedford, PA 15522
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Monday, September 28
Habitat Restoration -Tree Planting
Bring all the many benefits of trees to the park through the planting of trees in celebration of the park’s 75th anniversary. Volunteers will plant trees into pre-dug holes in Shawnee State Park. Wearing gloves is encouraged.
Volunteers Needed: 10
Shawnee State Park
132 State Park Rd, Schellsburg, PA 15559
Monday, September 28, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Fish Habitat Restoration
Using materials provided through the invasive species removal, volunteers will help to build and place fish habitat structures into Shawnee Lake. Safety equipment provided.
Volunteers Needed: 10
Shawnee State Park
132 State Park Rd, Schellsburg, PA 15559
Monday, September 28, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
PROJECT ADOPTED BY REI and Penn State University
Trail Clearing
Volunteers will help to reopen trails by clearing overgrown vegetation along hiking trails.
Volunteers Needed: 4
Buchanan State Forest
Wertz Rd, Bedford, PA 15522
Location Coordinates: 39.860269, -78.563944
Monday, September 28, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Springhouse Restoration
This historic springhouse creates a picturesque setting. Volunteers will support its care by scraping then painting this springhouse in Buchanan State Forest.
Volunteers Needed: 4
Buchanan State Forest
Wertz Rd, Bedford, PA 15522
Location Coordinates: 39.860269, -78.563944
Monday, September 28, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Conserving CCC Camp Foundations
Conserve the legacy of the young men who helped to reforest and create outdoor recreation opportunities in Pennsylvania during the Great Depression. Volunteers will clear vegetation and clean up the site around the historic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp foundation in Buchanan State Forest near Wertz Road. Long pants, long sleeves, and gloves encouraged.
Volunteers Needed: 4
Buchanan State Forest
Wertz Rd, Bedford, PA 15522
Location Coordinates: 39.860269, -78.563944
Monday, September 28, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Hike Harrisburg Advocacy Day
Stewardship includes advocacy for public policy that promotes and protects Pennsylvania’s healthy lands. Keystone Trails Association’s Hike Harrisburg is an advocacy day at the State Capitol where organizations from across the Commonwealth come together to champion hiking, hiking organizations, trail protection, and conservation in Pennsylvania.
Volunteers Needed: Open
Pennsylvania State Capitol
Harrisburg, PA
Monday, September 28, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Tuesday, September 29
Habitat Restoration – Lake Shore Invasive Species Removal
Protect the quality of the lake through targeted vegetation removal. Volunteers will remove and dispose of invasive vegetation along the shores of Shawnee Lake. Wearing gloves is encouraged.
Volunteers Needed: 10-20
Shawnee State Park
132 State Park Rd, Schellsburg, PA 15559
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Conserving History – Clean Up Howsare Cemetery
Step back in time while you clear vegetation and debris around the historic gravesite.
Volunteers Needed: 4
Buchanan State Forest
Pine Ridge Natural Area
Location Coordinates: 39.789282, -78.475511
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Trail Clearing Jasper & Buxton Trails
Volunteers will help to reopen trails by clearing overgrown vegetation along hiking trails.
Volunteers Needed: 4
Buchanan State Forest
Pine Ridge Natural Area
Location Coordinates: 39.789282, -78.475511
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Footbridge Repair
Keep people safe by repairing a footbridge. Volunteers will scrape, paint, and repair the handrailing on a footbridge in the Pine Ridge Natural Area. Tools will be provided.
Volunteers Needed: 4
Buchanan State Forest
Pine Ridge Natural Area
Location Coordinates: 39.789282, -78.475511
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Wednesday, September 30
Pavilion Conservation
Help reduce wear and tear on the beloved pavilions in Shawnee State Park. Volunteers will pick up litter and remove staples, thumbtacks, and tape in the pavilions in Shawnee State Park.
Volunteers Needed: 6
Shawnee State Park
132 State Park Rd, Schellsburg, PA 15559
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Preparing for Climate Resiliency -Tree Maintenance
Learn more about this experimental project while helping to conserve a diverse tree species in Pennsylvania. Volunteers will maintain recently planted trees by resetting stakes, mowing and weeding in and around cages; upgrade to larger cages as needed.
Volunteers Needed: 4-8
Buchanan State Forest
Sweet Root Natural Area
Location Coordinates: 39.831381, -78.500889
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Conserving CCC Camp Foundations
Conserve the legacy of the young men who helped to reforest and create outdoor recreation opportunities in Pennsylvania during the Great Depression. Volunteers will clear vegetation and clean up the site around the historic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp foundation in Buchanan State Forest near Sweet Root Natural Area. Long pants, long sleeves, and gloves encouraged.
Volunteers Needed: 4
Buchanan State Forest
Sweet Root Natural Area
Location Coordinates: 39.831381, -78.500889
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Preserve a Picnic Area Landmark
Help restore a well-used footbridge and picnic area latrine by scraping, painting, and making minor repairs. Your work will improve safety, appearance, and durability for thousands of park visitors. Tools and supplies are provided.
Volunteers Needed: 4
Buchanan State Forest
Sweet Root Natural Area
Location Coordinates: 39.831381, -78.500889
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Park Tour – The Green
Ever wonder what goes into planning a new park or trail? Join us for an informative walking tour of The Green in the Borough of Bedford. Learn about the plan to enhance existing recreational features at the park, increase parking, improve pedestrian circulation and connectivity with other trails, and how the project will address stormwater runoff. Wear comfortable shoes
Volunteers Needed: Open
The Green
Park entrance across from the Bedford Gazette building
Location Coordinates: 424 W. Penn Street, Bedford PA 15522
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Thursday, October 1
TBD
Volunteers will TBD
Volunteers Needed: TBD
TBD
TBD
Location Coordinates: TBD
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Sign Up for This Event
Friday, October 2
Habitat Restoration – Warriors Path Tree Planting
Bring all the many benefits of trees to Warriors Path State Park. Volunteers will plant trees into pre-dug holes in Warriors Path State Park. Wearing gloves is encouraged.
Volunteers Needed: 8-10
Warriors Path State Park – Pavilion #1
1152 Warriors Path Road, Saxton, PA 16678
Friday, October 2, 2026
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Saturday, October 3
Bike Ride
Bring your bike and helmet and explore the Huntingdon & Broad Top (H&BT) Rail Trail. The 26-mile round trip connects Warriors Path State Park to Tatesville and back.
Volunteers Needed: Open to all (must provide own bike, helmet and water)
Warriors Path State Park – Pavilion #1
1152 Warriors Path Road, Saxton, PA 16678
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Start Time: On Your Own
Enjoy the trail anytime
Sunday, October 4
A Walk in Penn’s Woods
A Walk in Penn’s Woods is a statewide day of planned hikes in the woods coordinated by the PA Forestry Association. Education and appreciation are an important part of stewardship, and these walks provide an excellent opportunity to get out, have fun, and learn about Pennsylvania’s forests.
Volunteers Needed: Everyone
Location Coordinates: Statewide
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Start Time: Varied