Power of Partnerships: The 2026 Friends Gathering
September 18–19, 2026 | Lake George, NY
Fort William Henry Conference Center and Hotel
The Statewide Friends Gathering is returning this year, and will be held in scenic Lake George on September 18–19, 2026 at the Fort William Henry Conference Center.
Held every other year, Parks & Trails New York, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the Department of Environmental Conservation bring together Friends groups and public lands champions from across New York to connect, learn, and share ideas that strengthen parks, historic sites, greenway trails and public lands—with a shared commitment to expanding access, fostering belonging, and building inclusive partnerships.
What to Expect
- Engaging sessions and peer-to-peer learning
- Ample opportunities for networking and collaboration
- New this year: Field trips! Including a guided tour of Lake George Battlefield Park led by the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance
- Inspiring conversations about partnerships with state government or community organizations, stewardship, and programming/events that build on discussions from the 2025 Regional Gatherings
- Sessions that explore inclusive practices and ways to reduce barriers to participation on public lands
NEW: Call for Presentation Proposals Now Open
New this year, PTNY is launching a Call for Presentations for Power of Partnerships: The 2026 Statewide Friends Gathering. We welcome proposals across a wide range of topics—from improving visitor experiences and strengthening partnerships (including with state agencies) to launching new Friends groups and building capacity.
Whether you represent a small, volunteer-led effort or a larger organization, we invite you to share lessons learned, practical tools, challenges, and innovative approaches that can help strengthen Friends groups statewide.
If you’re not interested in presenting but have ideas for speakers or topics you’d like to see included at the conference, we welcome your suggestions—please email [email protected].
Proposal Deadline: April 8, 2026s
Registration
Conference registration is open!
Check PTNY's new website for updates, and feel free to reach out with questions at [email protected].
We look forward to welcoming you to Lake George for two days of learning, connection, and celebration of the incredible work Friends groups do across New York.
2024 Statewide Friends Gathering
Thank you to the 133 attendees, 45 Friends groups and 9 partner organizations that joined us in Saratoga Springs on October 18-19, 2024!
Against the backdrop of the NYS Parks Centennial, this conference served as a moment to reflect on our collective impact and look ahead to initiatives that will shape the next century of our public lands. With a spotlight on public-private partnerships, opportunities to expand accessibility to our parks, and best-practices for grassroots nonprofits, together we charted an exciting course for the future. Attendees had the chance to glean insights from seasoned professionals, agency partners, and peers alike through innovative sessions and collaboration.
Did you join us on October 18-19? Share your feedback and help us make our 2026 Statewide Friends Conference even better
This conference is made possible by funding through the Environmental Protection Fund
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