Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Adopt a Park - Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do?

You (and your group) can help us maintain a garden, pick up litter clean up along a waterway, monitor the area for vandalism and potentially hazardous situations, clean graffiti, maintain trails, remove invasive weeds and species, and other jobs as suggested by the park supervisor.

How long do I have to commit?
We would appreciate adopting volunteers to commit one year of service, visiting their park more often during our busiest period between May and September.

How often do I need to visit the park?
We encourage adopting volunteers to visit their parks at least once a month. Adopting volunteers choose their service dates, agreed upon with the park supervisor.

What do I need to bring?
Depending on the service provided, some parks may ask their adopting volunteers to bring along cleaning supplies such as trash bags, dustpans, brooms, buckets, graffiti removal soap, etc. In some cases gardening supplies may be brought along such as rakes and shovels. The volunteer coordinator will confirm the information with you, before your first visit.
It is necessary for adopting volunteers to wear their ID badge at all times during the service activity. Signed by the State Parks Division director, the badge allows volunteers to park and enter the park free of charge on service days.

Who do I report to?
Please report your service hours to the volunteer coordinator each time you visit your park. You may report safety threats, hazards and vandalism to the park supervisor or volunteer coordinator as soon as you become aware of it.

How can I best serve my duties?
  • Work only in fair weather, during park hours.
  • Bring plenty of sunscreen, bug spray, a first aid kit, water, snacks, etc.
  • Learn the park’s regulations and follow them at all times.
  • Always wear your Adopt a Park volunteer badge at all times when you work.
  • Please do not leave unattended pets or small children in vehicles while you volunteer.
  • Always provide adult supervision (18 and over) to youth 16 and under.
  • Serve only during the park’s hours. Check the park’s webpage to confirm their park hours.
  • Always wear protective gloves when picking up trash.
  • Never over-exert yourself. Work comfortably, at your own pace.
  • Use a buddy system whenever possible. Notify someone from the park if you will work alone.
  • Keep the park supervisor’s and volunteer coordinator’s phone numbers handy each time you visit your park.
  • Always carry a first aid kit, in case of emergencies.
What do I get out of adopting a park?
Adopt a Park provides a service teaching opportunity for a family or a school group, a team building activity for an agency, and a day of service for individuals.
During the service dates indicated on their Adopt a Park badge, adopting volunteers can park at their site free of charge, if parking fees are in effect.
As an adopting volunteer, you will enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you are a direct part of our efforts to provide the safest and most enjoyable experience to our visiting guests.
You can give back to the park you love, knowing that without your kind service our labor would be far more difficult to achieve.
Your family’s, individual, group or organization’s name will be recognized.

How will my service be recognized?
Adopting volunteers will receive a thank you letter of appreciation from the Agency.  Recognition of adopting volunteers will also be made in the Agency website. As the Adopt a Park program expands, regular adopting volunteers may receive additional recognition at their park. View Volunteer Recognition webpage.

Count me in! How do I sign up?

Contact the Adopt a Park volunteer coordinator, Wanda Torres at (860) 418-5963 or e-mail Wanda.Torres@CT.Gov. Or if you prefer, just complete your Adopt a Park application - Word form or PDF and, as soon as we receive it, we will be in touch with you to make scheduling arrangements.

Join our LISTSERV!
To subscribe to the listserv:
  1. Compose an email to listserv@list.ct.gov from the email address you wish to have added.
  2. Leave the subject line blank and in the body of the message type:  
    Subscribe DEEP_StateParkVolunteers   YourFirstName YourLastName (Substitute your first and last name here.)
    Note: If you have an e-mail signature, header, and/or footer set up to be automatically included in emails, you will need to delete these before sending the subscribe request.
  3. You will receive an e-mail confirmation request. Follow the directions to confirm your email address. 
  4. You will then receive an e-mail that you have successfully subscribed to the listserv.
To unsubscribe from the listserv:
  1. Compose an e-mail to listserv@list.ct.gov.
  2. Leave the subject line blank and in the body of the message type:
    Signoff DEEP_StateParkVolunteers 
  3. Requests to unsubscribe must be sent from the same email account used when subscribing to the email list.
  4. You will then receive an e-mail that you have successfully unsubscribed from the listserv.
Through this list you will receive updates and information regarding volunteering opportunities and our new initiative, Adopt a Park. We do not share your contact information with anybody, and use it only for the purpose of communicating with our volunteers and applicants.
 


Content Updated June 2015