From reintroducing endangered birds to restoring entire river systems, state parks across America are leading dozens of active conservation projects. Here are the most impactful efforts currently underway.

Wildlife Restoration

State parks serve as critical habitat for species recovery programs. Notable projects include bison reintroduction at Custer State Park (South Dakota), elk restoration at Land Between the Lakes (Kentucky/Tennessee), and Florida’s manatee protection zones across multiple coastal parks.

Habitat Restoration

Large-scale habitat restoration projects include tallgrass prairie reconstruction in the Midwest, longleaf pine ecosystem recovery in the Southeast, and wetland restoration along the Great Lakes. Many of these multi-year efforts rely heavily on volunteer labor and citizen science data.

How You Can Help

Most conservation projects welcome volunteers. Trail maintenance days, invasive species removal events, and wildlife monitoring programs are common. Contact your nearest state park or local Friends group to find out how you can contribute to these vital efforts.