FORCES
Friends of Recreation, Conservation and Environmental Stewardship (FORCES)
The FORCES Program was launched in 2008 in our Central Region with the intention of boosting and growing volunteerism within New York State Parks. The program creates opportunities for a wide range of mutually beneficial partnerships that enhance State Parks while simultaneously providing students real world experiences and the opportunity to further their academic programs, gain valuable resume experience, and develop personal connections to New York State Parks.
FORCES' presence is currently concentrated and most active with students, faculty and institutions in the Central and Finger Lakes Regions and is looking to expand to other areas of the state.
Mission & Program Goals
Engage New York State college students to simultaneously improve OPRHP resources and enrich student academic, recreational and career opportunities.
Primary Program Goals
- Harness student expertise, volunteer and service efforts to create meaningful park and natural resource improvement projects and to enhance patron experience.
- Support and nurture the interest of college students in environmental conservation, recreation and historic preservation activities and careers.
- Increase awareness of, and engagement with New York State parks among college students and college communities.
While FORCES continues to evolve, the program is defined by the following elements:
Friends: Engaging new and interesting experiences, with a willingness to help improve their local parks and historic sites, through projects and programs they can feel good about.
Recreation: Increasing awareness of different forms of and ways to recreate, and improvement and maintenance projects; that enhance hiking, sporting activities in NYS Parks, including golf, swimming, baseball/softball, mountain biking, skiing, playgrounds, etc.
Conservation: Conserving and protecting the rich heritage and culture found in NYS historic sites and unique areas. Activities could include archiving, historical research, program creation, guiding historical tours, staffing museums and libraries, and participating in capital improvement projects at historic sites.
Environmental Stewardship: Involves environmental projects and education that benefit the parks, including invasive species management, plant and wildlife protection, water quality assessment, litter pickups, and trail improvements. In addition, park staff can utilize FORCES vast knowledge and professional expertise for biology and ecology in regard to designing and implementing environmental education programs and events.
FORCES Newsletter
- Spring 2025
- Fall 2024
- Summer 2024
- Spring 2024
- Fall 2023
- Summer 2023
- Spring 2023
- Fall 2022
- Summer 2022
- Spring 2022
- Fall 2021
- Summer 2021
- Spring 2021
- Fall 2020
- Summer 2020
- Spring 2020
- Fall 2019
- Summer 2019
- Spring 2019
- Fall 2018
- Summer 2018
- Spring 2018
- Fall 2017
- Summer 2017
- Spring 2017
- Fall 2016
- Summer 2016
- Spring 2016
FORCES Steward Biographies
- Who's Who: The Force Behind FORCES 2024.
- Who's Who: The Force Behind FORCES 2023.
- Who's Who: The Force Behind FORCES 2022.
- Who's Who: The Force Behind FORCES 2021.
- Who's Who: The Force Behind FORCES 2020.
- Who's Who: The Force Behind FORCES 2019.
- Who's Who: The Force Behind FORCES 2018.
- Who's Who: The Force Behind FORCES 2017.
- Who's Who: The Force Behind FORCES 2016.
- Who's Who: The Force Behind FORCES 2015.
FORCES Videos
Watch videos about the FORCES team
FORCES Resources
For more information about FORCES, please contact:
Amy Kochem
FORCES Program Coordinator
office: (315) 967-4092