National Public Lands Day at Valley Forge

Volunteers work on many different service projects around the park. See below for this year's opportunities!

NPS Photo / G. Purifoy

National Public Lands Day Service Projects on Saturday, September 28, 2024.

Due to forecasted rain, most National Public Lands Day projects at Valley Forge have been cancelled, with the exception of the Weed Warriors invasive plant removal project and the Tailoring Brigade project.

National Public Lands day is the nation's largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands. Spaces are limited and volunteers must apply to this announcement by 12pm, Tuesday, September 10. Walk-ons will not be accepted. In your application, please mention your top two projects listed below. If you are a group leader, please provide the max group size.

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 5% 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).

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Project Descriptions

Light Work

1. Trash pickup (8 spots-FULL): Volunteers will walk along the park's JPM trail and use a trash picker and trash bags to remove trash. This project will be led by the Valley Forge Park Alliance, the park's philanthropic partner.

2. Wayside Warriors (2 spots- FULL): Volunteers will clean up wayside interpretive signs using scrub brushes, water, and wax.

3. Tailoring Brigade (4 spots- FULL): Volunteers will work on various projects including repairs to living history clothing, volunteer uniforms, and more.

4. VOILA! (2 spots- FULL): The park's VOILA! team works on gardens and trees around the park. Volunteers will work on a tree planting project, contributing to the park's native biodiversity and beautification.

Moderately Strenuous Work

1. Washington's Headquarters area – Whitewash a wall (4 spots-FULL): Volunteers will clean the exterior of a building near Washington's Headquarters. The work involves the use of pressurized water, brooms to clean the walls, and brushes to apply the whitewash. Think Adventures of Tom Sawyer! This project is important because it is preventative maintenance that restores the visual appeal of the building.

2. Washington's Headquarters area – Springhouse and Huts Clean Out (4 spots-FULL): Volunteers will remove debris and clear out any material blocking water from flowing out of the springhouse, as well as tidying up the guard huts. The work involves the use of a broom, shovel, rake, and wheelbarrow. NOTE: volunteers conducting hut clean outs will be given face masks and gloves. These projects are important because they will restore the function of the springhouse, reduce the likelihood for localized flooding and water damage to the structure. The Hut clean-out will aid with pest control and reduce long term damage to the structures as well as improve the visitor's experience.

3. Varnum's Quarters area – Springhouse Clean Out (4 spots-FULL): Volunteers will remove debris and clear out any material blocking water from flowing out of the springhouse. The work involves the use of a broom, shovel, rake, and wheelbarrow. This project is important because it restores the function of this springhouse and reduces flooding and water damage to the structure.

4. Port Kennedy Train Station Clean Up(12 spots- FULL): Volunteers will pick up trash around the Port Kennedy train station. The work involves the use of trash grabbers, wheelbarrows, loppers, hand clippers. This project is important because it will help prepare the site for future park projects.

5. Weed Warriors (15 spots-FULL): Volunteers will use loppers, hand pruners, and other common hand tools to cut, pull, and remove invasive plants.

Highly Strenuous Work

1. Trail Maintenance (16 spots-FULL): Volunteers will fill in the potholes along Valley Creek Trail. The work involves the use of manual wheelbarrows, a gas-powered wheelbarrow, shovels, rakes, and tampers in order to move gravel from a staged location to spread into the low spots. This project is important because it improves overall safety for users of this very popular trail.

Schedule for the Day

Volunteers should plan to arrive between 7:45-8:15am to sign in at the Visitor Center Lower (Parking) Lot and grab some light morning snacks. The day will officially begin at 8:30 AM with some words of welcome from Valley Forge NHP Superintendent Rose Fennell and Valley Forge Park Alliance Executive Director Molly Duffy. Following opening remarks, 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 12 PM.

Other Important Information

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

• Spaces are limited and volunteers must apply to this announcement on volunteer.gov by 12pm, Tuesday, September 10. Walk-ons will not be accepted. In your application, please mention your top two projects listed below. If you are a group leader, please provide the max group size.

• In case of inclement weather, the event staff will notify registered volunteers by 5pm on Thursday, Sept. 26.

24 volunteers participated in three different volunteer projects on National Public Lands Day in 2022.

NPS Photo

Previous National Public Lands Day Projects

• National Public Lands Day projects at Valley Forge were cancelled due to rain in 2023, but in 2022, projects resumed after a 3-year hiatus on September 24, 2022.

• In 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.