Opportunities From: Tennessee State Parks

Volunteer Work Day: Trail Sign Installation

Join us for a hands‑on volunteer project to install a new trail sign and trail map at the Millennium–Merritt Ridge connection. This sign will help hikers navigate the area and better enjoy the trail system.

Project Activities

What to Bring

Meeting Details

We appreciate your help and look forward to working together on improving our trail system!

Join us at Indian Mountain State Park for TN Serves & National Public Lands Day! We will be pulling invasive ragweed from our native meadow! We will provide all gloves & tools needed to wrangle these weeds! We encourage volunteers to bring a refillable water bottle to refill at our water refill station!

Join park staff on Saturday September 12th at 8am at the visitor center to help redo our native plant garden flower beds! We will be removing the old pine needles and placing down new rock in its place.

Please wear closed toed shoes, bring plenty of water and snacks. Bug spray and sunscreen are also recommended. 

Join the Rangers of Pinson Mounds as we Celebrate TN Serves & National Public Lands Day!

We will be working on improving the garden beds here at the park to make them more pollinator friendly! This would include weeding, planting new plants/ Planning what to put in later in the year, Disposal of unwanted vegetation. 

We will be outside for the duration of this event so please dress appropriately for getting dirty outside!

Please Bring:

Water Bottle

Work Gloves

Join us for National Public Lands Day at Nancy Ward, September 18th from 10 am until Noon. We will make an effort to remove some of the invasive species that have taking over the hill side in the parking area. Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves, lopping shears, handsaws, sturdy shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty. 

Volunteer with Henry Horton to assist with habitat work including cutting and removing vegetation. More details will be sent closer to the volunteer event.

All participants will need to be prepared for the weather (heat/cold) and wear clothing appropriate for outdoor labor including closed toed shoes, hat, lightweight pants, etc. Water, bug spray, and gloves are recommended for this opportunity.

Join Scott's Gulf Wilderness park staff at the Virgin Falls trailhead at 10am on September 18th for TN Serves & National Public Lands Day! We will be working on the main trail to Virgin Falls. 

Volunteers should be prepared to spend roughly 3 hours in the woods utilizing hand tools to clear rocks, roots, and limbs. Volunteers should be prepared to hike up to 3 miles with hand tools. Please wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Closed toed, sturdy hiking shoes and pants are highly recommended. 

Please also bring plenty of water, snacks, lunch, and anything else you might need for a day out on the trail! 

If you enjoy being outside in the beautiful outdoors while working hard and getting dirty, then this volunteer trail day is right up your alley!

Interested in natural resource management? Looking for a positive way to spend a Saturday? Maybe you just want to spend time in nature and want to give back to your local park! If this is you or if you are curious what this is all about please join us for a volunteer event celebrating National Public Lands Day by working with our Rangers in one of our River Cane Restoration areas! 

Please join our rangers at the park office at 10 AM on Saturday September 26th before we head into the park to do some invasive species management within our restoration area(s). 

Participants should be 14 and up, and be able to work with basic hand tools such as loppers, rakes, shovels and hand saws (18 and older!) Please wear clothing you do not mind getting dirty, closed toed shoes and bring any water or snacks you may want to bring. 

Please reach out to Ranger Joseph Croft if you have any questions or concerns.

Cell: (629) 327-3803

Email: joseph.croft@tn.gov

        Join Roan Mountain State Park from 9:00am-1:00PM EST on Saturday, September 26th in celebration of National Public Lands Day as we work to maintain and better our pollinator gardens along TN Highway 143 located at Picnic Shelter 1.  Our fields were replanted in 2025 by Patchwork Meadows of Black Mountain, NC after they were flooded and destroyed by Hurricane Helene.  We now have a successful sprawling native plant meadow designed to benefit pollinator species of insects.  

        The workday will begin with a tour of the fields, the planted species of wildflowers and grasses, and a look into the benefits host plants give to their respective insects.  Work will then be done to weed out invasive plants attempting to establish in the gardens with a heavy focus on pulling Chinese Bushclover (AKA Chinese Lespedeza), cutting the seeding heads of Tall Goldenrod, and removing any traces of Multiflora Rose or Blackberry from the gardens.  

        This workday is limited to 30 volunteers.  The park will provide all tools, work gloves, and equipment for the tasks.  Volunteers are asked to wear gardening clothes that can get dirty, close-toed shoes, and bring a water bottle/snacks as needed.  Restrooms and potable water will be available on the worksite.  If you have a favorite weeding tool, you are welcome to bring it with you.  

Mark your calendars for 09/19/2026! North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park is organizing a volunteer event to celebrate Tennessee Serves and National Public Lands Day.

We'll be focusing on invasives along our Springfield Trail. This is a family-friendly event, so bring the whole crew and spend a day in nature while giving back to the community. Meet Ranger Barber at 9 am EST. This event will last from 9 am to 12 pm. Please wear closed-toe shoes and appropriate clothing. All necessary tools and instructions will be provided.

Address: 8559 Dayton Pike, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379. We will have to walk on the road to the trailhead from this location for a short period of time; please wear bright colors

There are no restroom facilities at North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park. The closest restrooms are located at the gas stations along Dayton Pike. There are no water bottle stations at the park. Please bring your own water and snacks.

Make a difference in a dog's life while enjoying the beauty of nature! Join us for a special event with Lawrence County - Lawrenceburg Animal Shelter. 

You must be able to pick up your assigned dog at the Animal Shelter. Be sure to sign up early as limited spots are available.

Meeting Point: Large parking lot past the park restaurant.

What to bring:

This is a great way to help shelter dogs get exercise, socialization, and love.

Reserve your spot Today!

Join us at the Nature Center at Reelfoot Lake State Park as a volunteer to assist with some daily operations and maintenance! 

Volunteers are asked to wear clothes they don't mind getting dirty! Please wear closed-toed shoes and bring a water bottle. Volunteers will be assisting with enclosure cleaning and aviary maintenance. Volunteers are required to be at least 16 or older.

Join Ranger Jack and Ranger Lisa to help clean up litter and debris at Newsoms Mill. We will meet in the parking lot and walk over to the areas that are in need of debris/litter removal. Please bring water and wear sturdy shoes. You are welcome to bring your own gloves, but we will have some available. 

Celebrate National Public Lands Day and the TN Serves Initiative by volunteering at Bledsoe Creek State Park. We will have several opportunities available to choose from. Whether it’s hiking the trails in search of litter, removing invasive plants, or helping in the Visitor Center, you’ll find an opportunity that works for you. 

We will meet at the Visitor Center Back Porch. Please bring appropriate gear and dress for the weather. Ranger Abby will provide any equipment necessary and can be reached at abigail.wiseman@tn.gov

Join us to celebrate National Public lands Day and partner with TN River Rescue for our Eva Beach Clean up. This is a great chance to give back and help make your Park better. We will be meeting at Eva beach at 10:00 Am. We will have grabbers, buckets and trash bags available. Please dress for the chance of getting dirty. Bottled water will be provided.

You can be a hero for public lands. Join us at Pickwick Landing State Park to volunteer as part of Tennessee Serves and National Public Lands Day! Help us preserve and maintain our beautiful park by participating in various projects. No experience necessary—just bring your enthusiasm and love for our environment.
Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or new to giving back, this is a great opportunity to make a difference for public lands. Activities will include landscaping, trash pickup, or invasive plant removal. All necessary tools and instructions will be provided. Come out and support your local park!  This is a family-friendly event, so bring the whole crew and spend a day in nature while giving back to the community!

Stop by the Park Office to pick up your supplies and get information about your assignment on Saturday September 19th.  

Join staff and Friends of Tims Ford for a morning of trail maintenance and land management. We will meet outside of the Visitor Center at 9am. Please wear appropriate work clothes, footwear, and gloves. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen! 

Join us for an Invasive Plant Removal Volunteer Opportunity.

This event is in collaboration with TN Serves & National Public Lands Day.

We will be tackling several invasive plant species that we have found within the park.

Please meet at the front entrance of the park.

This opportunity will be from 8am - 12pm.

Help Ranger Lydia remove invasive lespedeza from our native grassland pollinator fields!   We will work from approximately 8AM - 10AM central.  Please bring work gloves and adequate water/snacks.  Long pants and close-toed shoes are recommended.  Will be working in a field with no shade, so hats, sunscreen, and bug spray are also recommended. Please reach out to Ranger Lydia at 423-307-9304 or lydia.martinez@tn.gov with any questions.

Join First Lady Maria Lee and the Tennessee Serves team in serving Fiery Gizzard State Park! 

Enjoy giving back to our beautiful park alongside fellow volunteers to make some much needed improvements to the park's trail features, used by so many. After a fulfilling morning of volunteering, a box lunch will be provided curtesy of the Friends of the Parks. Extra waters/hydration beverages will also be available onsite. 

Please park in the Grundy Forest Parking lot, Fiery Gizzard North. (131 Fiery Gizzard Road, Tracy City, TN 37387) Groups are encouraged to sign up as a Team. Volunteers will be split up and assigned various tasks along the trails. Be prepared to hike and carry materials on uneven and steep terrain. 

Projects:

Hanes Hole Bridge Replacement

Hanes Hole Stone Step Staircase Replacement

Schoolhouse Bridge Replacement

Rockhouse Bluff Bridge Removal

If you have ever walked our trails in the summer months, you have seen the invasive Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) growing alongside. Not only does stiltgrass carpet the forest floor, outcompeting native understory vegetation, it also grows into the trail itself. This volunteer opportunity involves removing the siltgrass from the sides of Dunbar's Path by pulling it out by hand (the most effective method for removal). The meeting location is park's administrative office (brick house on the prairie restoration) at 2131 Old Russellville Pike.

We ask that volunteers wear the following:

Stiltgrass is relatively easy to pull, so no tools are required - just hands!

Join us at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park as we celebrate America 250 by “Caring for Our Shared America.” As a way to recognize NPLD and participate in the TN Serves initiative, help the staff of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park with cleaning up and maintaining Fort Watauga, our park’s primary interpretive feature. Volunteers will roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty, and work together to clean out the fort cabins, stabilize the palisade wall, and address other important needs. Bring your family, friends, co-workers, teammates, neighbors, or anyone who enjoys our park and appreciates our unique history. Instructions will be provided to all volunteers that participate, and park staff will be available throughout the morning as well to provide support. Basic supplies will be available for volunteers to use.

Volunteers wishing to participate in this volunteer day on Tuesday, September 22 should plan on arriving at Fort Watauga starting at 9:00 am. The volunteer day will wrap up no later than 12:00 pm, but volunteers are not required to stay the entire morning. It is recommended that you bring bottled water with you to stay hydrated, sunscreen, take breaks as needed, bring gloves and wear appropriate clothing for working outside. If you have any questions regarding this volunteer opportunity please contact Ranger Jason Davis at Jason.c.davis@tn.gov or 423-543-5808.

Join us to celebrate National Public Lands Day! More details coming soon!

Radnor Lake State Park & State Natural Area, will be hosting a special volunteer day as part of this statewide effort on September 18th at 2pm-5pm. This volunteer day will focus on our park trails still recovering from the impacts of Ice Storm Fern on January 25, 2026.  We will provide gloves; bottled water and all tools needed for this workday thanks to funding from Friends of Radnor Lake. Anyone wanting to help us on September 18th is asked to register for this event in advance and will be required to be at the Walter Criley Visitor Center at 2pm for the start of our volunteer work day to attend our safety orientation to be able to participate as we are unable to take any late volunteers for our volunteer workdays due to limited staffing, logistics and out of respect for all of our volunteers time.

This will be 1 of 3 special volunteer events we are hosting during September on multiple projects with Radnor Lake State Park & State Natural Area and the only remaining volunteer opportunity not already full thanks to great interest in our volunteer efforts.  To learn more about our future volunteer efforts, please view the following website:

Volunteer with Our Organization | Friends of Radnor Lake

Join in supporting Pickett CCC Memorial State Park. Volunteers will help to perform various trail maintenance tasks. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear for outdoor work. Lunch, refreshments, and safety equipment will be provided. Meet near the Recreation Lodge in the Picnic Area at 12:00pm CST. Please use the link below to register for the event:

https://tnstateparksvolunteer.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1116194 NEEF’s National Public

Lands Day (NPLD): NPLD is the nation's largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. Established in 1994 and held annually on the fourth Saturday in September, this celebration brings together thousands of volunteers to help restore and improve public lands across the country.

Tennessee Serves: First Lady Maria Lee's Tennessee Serves initiative is designed to transform the state through service. Each month, Tennesseans are invited to participate in a service challenge to get involved in supporting their communities. During September, the First Lady is encouraging Tennesseans to work to preserve Tennessee's abundant beauty and natural resources by serving at Tennessee State Parks!

Tennessee State Park is again partnering with NEEF and Maria Lee’s Tennessee Serves initiative to offer volunteer opportunities during a 10-day timespan, celebrating service to our wonderful state parks.

The theme this year is “Caring for Our Shared America” aligning and partnering with America 250 America Gives campaign to generate the largest volunteer effort in US history! “Centering on the simple ideas of caring for these places connects past, present, and future. NPLD offers Americans a tangible way to take part in the nation’s story. Whether removing invasive plants from a Civil War battlefield, restoring trails in a national forest, or cleaning up a local park, volunteers connect everyday service to places that hold shared history and meaning.”

Join Ranger Rooker at Cove Lake State Park to install water breaks and perform general trail maintenance on Cove Lake's newest trail, the Wheeler Cemetery Trail.  Participants will meet at the park's Visitor Center and be directed where to drive to the cemetery's trailhead to begin the work. 

Please bring plenty of water, wear closed-toe shoes, and bring work gloves if possible. The park will have some gloves to lend out but in limited quantities.

All ages are welcome to attend, children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Happy National Public Lands Day! If you are looking
for an opportunity to help out our park, join us in
cleaning and maintaining our Pioneer Trail! We will be
hiking to the 2.55- mile Pioneer Trail, picking up trash
and trimming the overgrown areas of the trail.

We Provide:
-Trash bags and litter pickers
-Hand Clippers/Loppers (Bringing hand
clippers is encouraged)
-Gloves (if you don’t have your own)
-Light refreshments and snacks

You Should Bring:
-Water
-Work clothes, sturdy hiking shoes, and long pants
-Insect repellent, sunscreen, and hat
Meet us at the park’s Boat Dock Parking Lot.

Celebrate National Public Lands Day by helping park staff remove the invasive plant Japanese Stiltgrass! Removing stiltgrass makes room for native plants to grow, like bloodroot, striped wintergreen, and trillium species!

We ask that volunteers wear the following:

We will have bug spray and sunscreen available for use. Please bring water! Also, stiltgrass is relatively easy to pull, so no tools are required- just hands!

We're embracing the spirit of the Volunteer State this September. As part of Tennessee Serves and National Public Lands Day, we’re excited to host a volunteer event at Montgomery Bell State Park on September 19th! Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or new to giving back, this is a great opportunity to make a difference for public lands. Activities will include trail maintenance and debris cleanup. No worries about bringing tools, as all necessary tools and instructions will be provided. Come out and support your local state park! This weekend will also coincide with the Girl Scouts Love State Parks event, taking place at state parks across the country. This is a great opportunity for Girl Scouts to give back to the park and help with its natural resource management to benefit visitors and wildlife! Volunteers wishing to participate should meet Ranger Scroggins at the Park Office at 9 AM CT. It is recommended that you bring water to stay hydrated, sunscreen, and take plenty of breaks while participating. If you have any questions regarding this volunteer opportunity, reach out to Ranger Scroggins at dustin.scroggins@tn.gov or 615-573-3061.

Fort Pillow State Historic Park

September 26th, 2026

National Public Lands Day/TN Serves

          Join the staff of Fort Pillow at 11:00 a.m. as we celebrate National Public Lands Day with a 2.5-mile hike along some of the earthworks built by confederate soldiers in 1861. While we are in route we will discuss the battle, the flora and fauna, as well as pick up any litter or debris that may be encountered along the trail. Be sure to bring water, bug spray, hiking stick if needed, and hiking appropriate attire.

For more information contact the park office at 731-738-5581

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Authorization No. 327158, March 2019

To celebrate National Public Lands Day Long Hunter State Park is hosting a cleanup of or shorelines as a way to combat debris washing up from the lake. 

Join us on Saturday September 23th at 9:00am at the picnic tables near the Bunkum Cave Loop trailhead for TN Serves and National Public Lands Day

We will be clearing a section of the Storybook trail and removing invasive species. Equipment will be provided but feel free to bring your own personal protective equipment, pruning shears, or limb loppers. Please find the Essential Eligibility Criteria for this event below.

Please wear closed toe shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Don’t forget your water, snacks, and gloves if you have them! Depending on the weather you may also want to bring a hat, bug spray, and sunscreen. 

In the event of inclement weather this program will be cancelled.

Essential Eligibility Criteria

Cordell Hull Birthplace State Historic Park

                                          Trail Work

Program participants will need to be able to do the following independently or with assistance of a companion or adaptive equipment:

·         Understand and follow directions to avoid and/or manage risks.

·         Tolerate the elements including temperature for 1-5 hours (depends on volunteer commitment).

·         Preform self-care including maintaining nutrition and hydration, personal hygiene, and managing existing medical conditions.

·         Be able to identify and recognize environmental risks, including potential hazardous animals, insects, and slippery terrain.

·         Move over uneven, packed soil terrain for 0.50 mile for Storybook trail or 1.25 miles for Bunkum Cave Loop trail.

·         Engage in service-learning projects such as building, digging, lifting, painting, construction, and clean-up for up to 5 (five) hours depending on volunteer commitment.

·         Wear all protective gear recommended or required for the work/service, including but not limited to protective eyewear, face mask or shield, gloves, helmet, footwear.

·         Work responsibly and reliably with minimal supervision and/or on a team.

Join Park Ranger Matthew at the Buggytop trailhead, where we'll convoy to a nearby site overrun with everyone's favorite nonnative plant species, Kudzu! As this vining pest grows ever closer to habitat of Head of the Crow's rare plant species, it becomes more pressing to stifle the kudzu's spread. To support chemical treatment of roadside kudzu vines, we will be mechanically removing the crowns of the kudzu plant. This should cut the vines off from the plant's nutrient supply, and reduce the number of vines that are able to persist into next grow season!

All skill levels are welcome to join! We'll discuss different techniques for kudzu removal, and best practices for our mechanical removal for the day before we begin for the day! Remember to bring plenty of water, snacks, and wear closed toed shoes. Tools for kudzu removal will be provided. Volunteers should expect to work in uneven terrain, often with loose soil and rocks. We will not be hiking far (0.25 miles in distance), but will be traveling up and down hills as we work, and will be on undeveloped terrain.

Join us for a day of services to celebrate our public lands! We will be focusing on cleaning debris, such as downed branches, and removing invasive plants throughout the park. This will help clean up the public space while also improving the local ecosystem.

Maddux Cemetery is located in what was the heart of the Maddux Community, which existed from the mid-19th century to 1940. The inundation of the Tennessee River by the TVA in 1940 forced the removal and relocation of people living in the flood zone. Today, there are few reminders that a community once stood within Harrison Bay State Park- except for the cemetery!

By attending this workshop and cleanup, you'll learn how to clean historic grave markers (and when not to) and contribute to preserving the historic Maddux Cemetery. The cleanup/workshop will last 2-3 hours, but do not feel like you have to stay for the entire cleanup. Just by showing up, listening, and learning you're making a difference in future cemetery preservation! 

Maddux Cemetery adjoins Bear Trace Golf Course at Harrison Bay State Park. To get to the cemetery, please follow the road leading from the entrance of Bear Trace all the way back. This road dead-ends at the cemetery. There is no parking lot near the cemetery- a Ranger will be present to assist with parking.

Please bring bug spray and water and wear comfortable shoes. Water and bug spray will be on hand if you forget, but not the comfy shoes. All other cleaning materials will be provided.

This workshop is part of TN Serves and National Public Lands Day and in partnership with America 250.

“Centering on the simple ideas of caring for these places connects past, present, and future. NPLD offers Americans a tangible way to take part in the nation’s story. Whether removing invasive plants from a Civil War battlefield, restoring trails in a national forest, or cleaning up a local park, volunteers connect everyday service to places that hold shared history and meaning.” 

Did you know that modern paints have a huge impact on the environment? Did you know there are historical, quality, sustainable alternatives?

Linseed paint is an all-natural and water permeable paint that has been used for thousands of years. Join us in painting with linseed oil-based paints as you learn about linseed and its positive environmental impact & sustainability, and its uses in historic preservation.

Join park staff as we re-route a short section of Fox Hollow Trail. With the addition of the newly paved trail behind the park office, we are needing to route Fox Hollow parallel with our paved trail. We will start at the park office at 7:00a.m. and finish the work around 10:00a.m. Please wear closed toe shoes and dress for the weather. This volunteer opportunity is part of the TN Serves and National Public Lands Day Initiative.

Join Master Trailbuilders to complete the quest of reroute a treacherous section of the Buggytop Trail, thus increasing  its accessibility to our visitors.  From newbies to pros all volunteers are welcome and we will supply all tools, gloves, and eye protection. All you need to bring are snacks, water, closed-toed shoes, and a happy attitude!  Volunteers should expect to hike 3 miles over difficult uneven terrain, work with various hand tools, and leave with a warm sense of fulfillment after a good day's work.  

Join us for National Public Lands Day and help beautify our native wildflower gardens!

We will be removing invasive and weedy species from the garden beds in front of the Park Headquarters. Depending on group size, tasks for volunteers may vary in difficulty. 

Please come dressed in appropriate clothing and shoes. It is highly encouraged to bring your own source of water and food. Please bring your own pair of gloves as our  availability may be limited.

In the event of inclement weather, this event may be cancelled. Participants will be reached out to via phone and email. We will still work if there is light rain. This volunteer program is recommended for ages 14 and up.

Join Us Friday, September 18 for a trail workday clearing a new reroute near Flint Creek. We will meet up at the trail parking lot at 9:00 AM. Upon arrival we will sign waivers, have a brief safety meeting, assign tools and hike out to the trail location. The job site is about a mile and a half on easy trails. The park will have loppers and digging implements. It is recommended to bring snacks, water, gloves and dress for trail work. Our goal is to clear a new path for a trail reroute from recent storm damage.

All participants under 18 will need an adult to sign a waiver for them.

Directions: From Johnson City/ Erwin take I-26 South and get off at exit 43, follow the brown signs to Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park. Turn right on TN 352 for approximately 6 miles until you arrive at Rocky Fork Road on your right. Take Rocky Fork Road for 0.8 of a mile until you reach the gravel parking lot.

From Asheville/ Mars Hill NC take I-26 North and get off at Exit 50, the first Exit in Tennessee, take a left on Upper Higgins Road for 0.6 of a mile, turn right on Old Asheville Highway for 2.2 miles, turn Left on Rocky Fork Road for 0.8 of a mile until you arrive at the gravel parking lot.

Mousetail Landing State Park is combining National Public Lands Day with Girl Scouts Love State Parks. The hammock poles in our Scout Camp need to be replaced so our scouts that come visit can have a peaceful and safe way to hang out in their hammocks. We will be placing utility poles in holes and securing them in the ground. There are a total of six poles that we will need to replace. All of the poles will be provided by the park. We will provide tools and gloves for the task. We plan on having pre dug holes before the event. That is subject to change. Please bring plenty of water and dress for the weather. The time that is provided is just a rough estimate. Depending on how many people we have, it may take more time or less time to complete the task. We will meet at the North Playground located beyond the Main Campground. We appreciate any help. 

Join Fort Southwest Point State Historic Park staff in preserving and protecting our public lands! We will be celebrating National Public Lands Day by working to remove invasive plant species along our paved walking path. Individuals should expect to have to do some walking and usage of hand tools. Make sure to bring sturdy shoes, water, and any other items you might need during the event

Maintenance of Stone Door Trail. 

Love Burgess Falls? Need volunteer hours?

Then come lend a hand helping restore the park’s habitats for National Public Lands Day!

We need your help to keep Burgess Falls healthy and thriving!

This event is geared towards forest floor debris removal, invasive plant removal, and lakeside access improvement!

Meet Ranger Connor at our lower parking lot at 9:00am to get your gloves and get to work clearing understory, removing invasive plants, and picking up garbage along southern end of Burgess Falls Lake. 

Participants must be at least 14 years or older to participate.

Please wear closed toed shoes, long pants, and appropriate clothing for the weather.

If inclement weather, the event will be cancelled.

Let's join together with volunteers nationwide "Caring for our Shared America" cleaning up our heavily used boat ramp area! Individuals, Scouting Groups, students are all invited to help out (and get volunteer hours) while serving our local community!

Join us for Tennessee Serves & National Public Lands Day as we remove invasive species from the boat ramp area of Panther Creek State Park!

Gloves and tools will be provided. Please bring personal water, closed toes shoes, and appropriate work clothes.

We will be working for approximately 3 hours.

Please meet at the Panther Creek boat ramp.

Join Fall Creek Falls State Park in preserving and protecting our pulic lands. We will be celebrating National Public Lands Day by working on one of our park's most-used trail systems. This event will last three hours on September 26th, 2026. Individuals should expect to have to do some hiking and get dirty. Make sure to bring sturdy shoes, gloves, water, and any other items you might need during the event. 

Join us September 19th at 10AM in the big parking lot for TN serves and National Public Lands Day! We will be hosting a trail clean/maintenance along the Tent Loop and Owens Springs Trails. Please bring closed toed shoes and water. All trail equipment will be provided. You may bring your own gloves, pruning shears, limb loppers, shovels etc. You may contact the office at (731) 989-5141 or by email @ daulton.degner@tn.gov

National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest one day volunteer event. This year it falls during a landmark year, America’s 250th birthday! What better way to celebrate than to give back to our public lands. This event also supports the First Lady’s TennesseeServes initiative. It is her belief that each Tennessean has the power to transform their community by finding an area they are passionate about and giving of their time, talents, and resources to make Tennessee a better place. 

Come join Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park staff to pick up litter around our park. Participants should wear close toed shoes and bring water. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. We will meet at the beginning of the Pathway of History near the Farmers Market at 9:00 am. See you on the Mall!

Through 2024, 2025 and 2026, Middle Fork Bottoms has been working with Toyota, NEEF, the Nature Conservancy, and others on a restoration project returning several areas in the park to a more native state. These projects have done well so far, but will require ongoing maintenance to ensure that we can be exemplary habitat for West TN native species. Join us and TN Serves this National Public Lands Day to help clean invasive and unwanted species out of our project fields!

Participants must wear close-toed shoes and full-length pants. Water and gloves will be provided. 

Celebrate National Public Lands Day with a little bit of science and a lot of wet, soggy fun!

Join us on Public Lands Day for a unique citizen science project. A little bit of work, and a lot of wet, soggy fun, can help us better care for the water resources at YOUR State Park! First we’ll use simple test kits to measure water quality. Then we’ll wade into the creek and use nets to catch and get “up close and personal” with creek creatures. Be prepared to get wet & muddy! Wear old clothes and old shoes (please no bare feet in the creek, in case of sharp objects). This will be an official Tennessee Serves/National Public Lands Day event, and a part of an international effort called the EarthEcho Water Challenge. Through EarthEcho, we’ll join a network of citizens from more than 140 countries, and become part of the solution for clean water and healthy waterways worldwide.

Meet at the big parking lot uphill from Park Headquarters (former pool parking lot), and we'll carpool/caravan to the creek.

In support of National Public Lands Day, volunteers will plan to board boats at Pebble Isle Marina to clear trash from the shores of Trace Creek. This area was severely impacted by debris from the 2021 Humphreys County Flood and is still recovering. Without cleanup efforts, this flood debris will remain and present an environmental threat to wildlife, degrade into microplastics, and negatively impact the viewshed adjacent Pebble Isle Marina.

All volunteers must register to participate online and complete the liability waiver. On Wednesday, September 23rd meet at Pebble Isle Marina at 2120 Old Johnsonville Rd, New Johnsonville, TN and follow the directional signs to the boat ramp. Volunteer check in will begin at 9:30am. Please wear clothes and footwear that can get wet and dirty. Knee high rubber boots are suggested. Tennessee State Park Rangers and support staff will serve as volunteer crew leaders. The event will be rain or shine unless of lightning or severe winds. Decision to postpone or cancel event will be made by 12pm Tuesday, September 22nd.

The Humphreys County River Rescue is made possible with support from these Partners in Conservation:  Tennessee State Parks, Pebble Isle Marina, Tennessee Valley Authority, Chemours, DSV Solutions, Veolia, Ablemarle Foundation, Oxy, Friends of Johnsonville State Historic Park, XXIII Corps, Keep The Tennessee River Beautiful, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, University of Tennessee Extension Service – Humphreys County, and the Tennessee Naturalist Program.

Johnsonville State Historic Park preserves, protects, and shares the stories of Johnsonville, TN, and the Link Farm State Archeological Area. Enjoy your unique outdoor experience full of fun and adventure at Johnsonville State Historic Park. For more information call 931.535.2789, Find us on Facebook at JSHP71, or visit https://tnstateparks.com/parks/johnsonville .

Trail work Day Come out and give back! Join Ranger Ross for a trail work day. We will be meeting at the Park Visitor Center. We expect to be out of the woods by 3:00pm. Please bring work clothes, hiking boots, a sack lunch and plenty of water. We will be working and hiking so wear sturdy hiking boots. E-mail aaron.ross@tn.gov if you are interested in attending or have any questions.

Join us for the National Public Lands Day and the first lady's initiative TNServes where she believes that  each Tennessean has the power to transform their community by finding an area they are passionate about and giving of their time, talents and resources, and we do too! So come and help support our beautiful park. 

Projects will vary depending on need and number of volunteers. 

We will cancel for inclement weather. However, we will work in light rain/snow and temperatures above freezing. 

Please dress appropriately and bring water! We have gloves but you can also bring your own. 

Hello all! We are going to spend our NPLD Volunteer Day riverside at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park!

Join one or two of our TN State Park Rangers in cleaning up the Mississippi River! We will focus on the sandbar instead of the road, but with enough people we may be able to cover both!

Join us for the National Public Lands Day and the first lady's initiative TNServes where she believes that each Tennessean has the power to transform their community by finding an area they are passionate about and giving of their time, talents and resources, and we do too! So come and help support our beautiful park. 

Ranger Wheatley will be doing an invasive species removal of Chinese Privot. Once the Privot is cleared, Ranger Wheatley will help volunteers create their own walking stick from the Privot to take home.

We're embracing the spirit of the Volunteer State this September. As a part of Tennessee
Serves and National Public Lands Day, we’re excited to host a volunteer event at our state
park on September 19th! Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or new to giving back, this is a great
opportunity to make a difference for public lands. Activities will include invasive removal and debris cleanup,
and all necessary tools and instructions will be provided. Come out and support your local
park!

This weekend will also coincide with the Girl Scouts Love State Parks event happening at state parks all across the country. This is a great opportunity for Girl Scouts to give back to the park and help out with the natural resource management of the park to benefit the visitors and wildlife!

Volunteers wishing to participate should meet Ranger Miller at the Visitor Center at 9AM CT. It is recommended that you bring water to stay hydrated, sunscreen, and take plenty of breaks while participating. If you have any questions regarding this volunteer opportunity, reach out to Ranger Brian at richard.miller@tn.gov or 931-272-4777. 

Join Fiery Gizzard State Park staff for our Tennessee Serves and National Public Lands Day event as part of the nationwide "Caring for Our Shared America" campaign and America250! By pitching in, you are helping generate the largest volunteer effort in U.S. history and connecting everyday service to the public lands that hold our shared history. 

We will meet at the Fiery Gizzard North Trailhead (131 Fiery Gizzard Rd, Tracy City TN, 37387) at 9:00am CDT and hike approximately 0.75 miles (1.5 miles round-trip) over moderate natural surfaces to the Grundy Forest Campground.

Once on site, volunteers will work together to help tidy up the campground, pick up litter, and clean out fire rings to keep our public lands clean and safe for future campers.

Please wear sturdy closed-toe shoes, dress for outdoor weather, and bring a plenty of water and snacks for a 3-hour hour workday. 
All tools and trash bags will be provided.

National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the largest single-day volunteer effort for America’s public lands. Each year, thousands of volunteers come together on the fourth Saturday in September to help restore, improve, and enjoy public lands around the country.

As a way to recognize NPLD and participate in the TN Serves initiative, help the staff of Seven Islands State Birding Park with maintaining the Wild Yards Garden at the park on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Staff and volunteers will roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty, and work together to pull weeds as part of our late summer maintenance of the gardens. The weeds can seem overwhelming, but as the saying goes, "Many hands make light work." Bring your family, friends, co-workers, teammates, neighbors, or anyone really that wants to help pull those pesky weeds from the beautiful garden area. Instructions will be provided to all volunteers that participate, and park staff will be available throughout the morning too for instructions or clarification/identification of anything. Some tools/gloves will be available for volunteers to use, but if you have your own tools/gloves that you would like to use please bring them along. 

This weekend will also coincide with the Girl Scouts Love State Parks event happening at state parks all across the country. This is a great opportunity for Girl Scouts to give back to the park and help out with the natural resource management of the park to benefit the visitors and wildlife!

Volunteers wishing to participate in this volunteer day should plan on arriving at the Bluebird Barn at the main entrance to the park off of Kelly Lane starting at 8:00am or 1:00pm, as this will be an all-day volunteer opportunity. The volunteer day will wrap up no later than 5:00pm, but volunteers are not required to stay the entire morning, afternoon, or day. Park staff will be available the entire day to provide assistance and instructions. It is recommended that you bring bottled water with you to stay hydrated, sunscreen, take breaks as needed, and wear appropriate clothing for working outside in a garden. If you have any questions regarding this volunteer opportunity, please contact Ranger Stephanie at stephanie.mueller@tn.gov or 865-333-8270 or 865-407-8335.

Join Standing Stone State Park staff for this years TN Serves and National Public Lands Day event. This year we will be conducting trail maintenance along the Jordan Spur Trail. This will include widening the trail where possible and vegetation management. All equipment and PPE will be provided by the park. Please bring water and snacks and wear clothing appropriate for the weather. 

Rock Island State Park needs your help! Join us as we clean up the Caney Fork River. Tasks will include cleaning up litter along the Caney Fork River Gorge between Twin Falls and Great Falls. This area is fairly strenuous, rocky, and wet so please plan accordingly.

If you need to complete community service or volunteer service hours to fulfill a requirement for scholarships, graduation, fraternity/sorority obligations, etc., this is a great opportunity to get those hours. Volunteers should plan on meeting Rangers at the Downstream Trail Parking Area at the end of Powerhouse Road at 10:00am. Volunteers will be briefed and given trash bags, trash grabbers, and gloves.

Please bring water and snacks if you would like and wear appropriate footwear/attire for the weather.

We honor all TN promise hours. 

If you have any questions about this volunteer workday, please feel free to reach out to us!

In case of inclement weather, volunteers will be contacted, and the event will be canceled. Please provide a good phone number and email address when registering

Join us at Old Stone Fort to aid in the improvement of our park through volunteering! Projects range from trail upkeep, invasive plant removal, and park cleanup. Volunteering will help both the local environment as well as everyone who enjoys the park from Manchester to the wider world.

For National Public Lands volunteer day, we will be conducting invasive plant clearing on the trails or trail work. We will meet at the Park's Museum Rooftop from the listed address.

Please make sure to wear closed-toed shoes and bring water to stay hydrated. Be prepared to hike sections of the Enclosure trail, Forks of the River Trail, and Moat Trails which is a natural dirt and rock path.