Civil War Defenses of Washington

Applications are open to become a Civil War Defenses of Washington Trail Ambassador! In this position, you’ll help conserve the historic pathway by joining a group of volunteers to care for an specific section of the trail.

Trail Ambassadors visit their selected trail portions at least once a month to trim vegetation, record data, note issues, clean up litter, and assist visitors! 🌿🗒️🚮ℹ️

Ready to join? Visit here to learn more and apply ➡️ https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volopprecord?listing=a09SJ00000NJkd1YAD

Photo: NPS / Emily Alff

National Capital Parks - East is excited to announce a brand-new Trail Ambassador volunteer position! This role involves monitoring and maintaining sections of the Civil War Defenses of Washington Trail in southeast/northeast Washington, DC.

The trail winds 6.5 miles from Fort Mahan Park to Fort Stanton Park through other Civil War-era forts and can be traversed in either direction. As a Trail Ambassador, you’ll select a portion of the pathway to regularly walk, report on, and conserve, proving indispensable in:

--Informing Park Service staff of trail conditions 🌱
--Actively working to improve trail quality ⛏️
--Assisting visitors and answering questions 🙋
--Removing litter & invasive species 🗑️🥀

Eager for some adventuring? Learn more about being a Trail Ambassador and apply to join 👉 https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volopprecord?listing=a09SJ00000NJkd1YAD

With your help, the trail shall prevail!

Photo: NPS / Conall Rubin-Thomas

Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor those who lost their lives while serving in the US military. Each May, many national cemeteries commemorate Memorial Day with ceremonies, speakers, and music.

We invite you to join us on Saturday, May 23, from 11 am to 12 pm, for a special Memorial Day event at Battleground National Cemetery. For more information, visit go.nps.gov/ROCRcalendar.

NPS Photo

Are you more of a leader or a team player? This is your chance to be part of the action!

Join us at 12:30 pm on May 9 outside of Rock Creek Park Nature Center or May 23 at Fort Stevens to step into Civil War camp life and try real soldier drills led by a ranger. You’ll practice marching, moving as a team, and learning how soldiers trained to work together.

NPS Photo / Jordan Land

💖Show your love for Mother Nature on Sunday by cleaning up Fort Mahan Park! 🚮

Sign up to join here 👇https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volopprecord?listing=a09SJ00000MpKHlYAN

Photo: NPS/Emily Alff

💖Show your love for Mother Nature on Sunday by cleaning up Fort Mahan Park! 🚮

Sign up to join here 👇https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volopprecord?listing=a09SJ00000MpKHlYAN

Photo: NPS/Emily Alff

🚮 Shepherd Parkway is home to historic forts and wildlife habitats yet is also heavily polluted, and our partners Ward 8 Woods need help cleaning it up this Saturday! 🚯

Register to join them: ➡️https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volopprecord?listing=a09SJ00000MpE4IYAV

Photo: NPS/Conall Rubin-Thomas

At Battleground National Cemetery, history comes to life in a place where stories are told through stone.

Join a ranger at 10 am, 11 am, and 3 pm every Saturday and Sunday in May for a walk to explore Civil War monuments, discover the symbols they hold, and learn about the people they honor. It’s a family-friendly activity to introduce kids to history while spending time outdoors. As part of Freedom 250, this program invites visitors of all ages to think about how we remember the past and why those stories still matter today.

NPS / Katy Cain