Gathering the Grassroots: Regional Friends Gatherings 2025
Parks & Trails New York, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and the Friends Leadership Council are excited to host four regional gatherings this fall for Friends groups and their site managers.
Our regional gatherings pick up where last year’s Statewide Friends Conference left off—continuing the conversations and energy sparked there. These smaller, local events offer a chance to reconnect, share updates, and take a deeper dive into the topics that matter most to you and your work.
These events are a unique opportunity to:
- Connect with fellow Friends groups and site managers in your region
- Hear directly from agency staff about regional and statewide initiatives
- Learn best practices to grow your group’s capacity and effectiveness
- Build relationships with other volunteers and potential partners
Whether you're a longtime advocate or new to the network, these gatherings are designed to inspire collaboration, spark new ideas, and strengthen the incredible work you do for New York’s public lands.
Locations and Dates
We encourage you to attend one of the four gatherings, preferably the one created for your region. These events will run from 10AM-3PM with an optional site tour following the gathering. Stay tuned for a full agenda for each event.
- September 18: Glimmerglass State Park (Central, Saratoga-Capital, Thousand Islands)
- September 25: Letchworth State Park (Allegany, Finger Lakes, Genesee, Niagara)
- October 30: Philipse Manor Hall (Palisades & Taconic)
- November 6: Connetquot River State Park Preserve (Long Island & NYC)
Eligibility
These events are open to all groups eligible for the Park and Trail Partnership Grant Program and their site managers. The 2025 regional gatherings are made possible through the Park and Trail Partnership Grant Program, which is administered by Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and funded through the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).
Registration
Registration is now open! Please register for the event designed for your region.
Registration will be limited to one member of each Friends group. We may open up a limited number of additional spots based on availability as we get closer to each event.
Questions?
Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions you have re: these events.
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