National Public Lands Day Community Invasive Pull

Location of Sweet Run State Park in Virginia

Where

Sweet Run State Park, 11661 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro, VA 20132.
main parking lot, near pollinator garden.

When

Sept. 27, 2025. 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Bring your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to the park to be nature superheroes this National Public Lands Day! We will start with a brief training on common invasive plants at the park and why we do not want them around. Then we will spread out along Farmstead Loop and start pulling, while soaking in the sights and sounds of nature. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring water, sunscreen, bug repellent, and gloves. We will have extra gloves if needed. Children of all ages are welcome, with a parent or guardian. Stay for a picnic dinner or visit one of the many great local amenities over the dinner hour and come back to the park for an evening of fun. There will be a twilight hike and glow-in-the-dark planet scavenger hunt at 6:30 p.m., followed by stargazing with the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club at 8 p.m.

Families pulling invasive plants along trail

About National Public Lands Day

Virginia State Parks celebrates National Public Lands Day each September by inviting volunteers and visitors to take part in the largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands in the country. Join in preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the state’s public lands through a variety of hands-on activities, including trail maintenance, tree plantings, invasive species removal, litter clean-ups and educational programs on the importance of conservation. Parking fees are waived at most Virginia State Parks for National Public Lands Day (excludes Grayson Highlands and the admission fee at Natural Bridge and Southwest Virginia Museum).

Other details

Standard parking or admission fee applies: No.
Extra fee: No.
Registration required: No.
Children welcome: Yes.
Phone: 540-668-6230
Email Address: sweetrun@dcr.virginia.gov