Celebrate York River Month
September 10 to October 10, 2026
Explore new places and activities in the York River watershed.
Learn about our watershed’s remarkable habitats and history.
Find inspiration in the coastal landscape, artistic creations, and stewardship opportunities.
SEE EVENTS BELOW
Help us promote this month-long lineup by posting our CYRM Flyer.
The York River Stewardship Committee is promoting programs and activities that are free and open to the public during Celebrate York River Month to showcase the amazing resources and special places in the watershed. We’re excited to connect people to the organizations whose work helps care for the York River and to groups that want to share their knowledge and inspiration with others. Most Celebrate York River Month events are organized and led by others, and many require registration in advance and might have participation limits.
Why September 10 to October 10? We chose a lunar cycle for our “month” since York River is a coastal river, with its tides influenced by the moon’s phase. New moons mark the start and end of our month-long celebration, and the September 26th full moon is right in the middle.
What’s a watershed? It’s the land area from which water flows into the network of wetlands and tributaries that form a river system. The watershed for York River includes land in South Berwick, Eliot, Kittery and York.
September 10
River-themed Storytime with York Public Library and York Land Trust
York Land Trust’s Headquarters, 10:30 to 11:30 am; registration required
September 11
Volunteer opportunity: Invasive Plant Management at Goodrich Park
Join the York Parks and Recreation Department and York Conservation Commission for a morning of invasive plant removal at Goodrich Park, 9:30 am to 12 pm; registration required
Optional orientation at 9 am: get to know scenic Goodrich Park and learn to identify some of the common native and non-native/invasive plant species found on site
September 16
Bird Walk Wednesday with York Land Trust and White Pine Programs
YLT’s Smelt Brook Preserve, 9 to 10:30 am; registration required
September 17
Presentation on the Proposed Public Dock at Goodrich Park by the Town of York River Access Ad Hoc Committee
York Public Library, 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Site Visit at Goodrich Park: River Access Ad Hoc Committee members will be on site at Goodrich Park from 4 to 5 pm to show the location of the proposed dock and access
September 17
York Public Library presents: The Tide Mills of the York River documentary screening followed by Q&A with Tide Mill Institute president Deane Rykerson, film producer Jim White, and professor and historian Dr. Emerson “Tad” Baker
York Public Library, 5:15 to 6:45 pm; registration required
September 17
Talk on Native Plants and Invasive Species by Jill Crosbie, Great Works Regional Land Trust
William Fogg Library, 6 to 7 pm
September 18
Volunteer opportunity: Invasive Plant Management at Goodrich Park
Join the York Parks and Recreation Department and York Conservation Commission for a morning of invasive plant removal at Goodrich Park, 9:30 am to 12 pm; registration required
Optional orientation at 9 am: get to know scenic Goodrich Park and learn to identify some of the common native and non-native/invasive plant species found on site
September 19
History Walk along the York River with Deane Rykerson, followed by an optional Perkins House Museum Tour led by Old York Historical Society
Walk starts at 9:30 and house tour at 10:30 am; registration required
Note: The house tour has a fee and is limited to 10 participants.
September 19
York Art Association’s 2026 Art in the Park, an outdoor arts festival
Moulton Park, York Harbor, 10 am to 4 pm (rain date is September 20)
September 19
Marine Debris Art Program: Turning Trash into Treasure, with Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation
William Fogg Library, 1 to 2:30 pm
September 25
Guided Walks and Information Session on Invasive Plants at Goodrich Park: learn about this ongoing multi-year invasive plant management project from York Parks and Recreation Department and York Conservation Commission, and learn about aquatic invasive plant monitoring from York County Soil & Water Conservation District
Goodrich Park, 10 am to 12 pm
September 25
Naturalist Adventure Series: Smelt Brook River Walk with Paul Dest
York Land Trust’s Smelt Brook Preserve, 5 to 6:30 pm; registration required
September 26
45th Eliot Festival Day, a community tradition with crafts, food, local vendors, informational booths, and more
Look for the Eliot Conservation Commission, Eliot Historical Society, and Great Works Regional Land Trust
Eliot center (State Road) at Hammond Park and Eliot Elementary School, 9 am to 3 pm
September 26
Join the York River Stewardship Committee and York Parks and Recreation Department to celebrate coastal watersheds, conservation, and the Harvest Moon at the Mount Agamenticus Summit, 4 to 6:30 pm
Guided walk: Watersheds, Biodiversity and Conservation in the Mt A Region, led by Paul Dest, from 5 to 6 pm
Visit the Learning Lodge during its extended open hours from 4 to 6 pm
Enjoy the views on your own, and see the full moon rise at 6:19 pm and sun set at 6:32 pm
October 3
Great Works Regional Land Trust’s Walk into Punkintown History Hike with Brad Fletcher
GWRLT’s Rocky Hills Preserve, 10 am to 1 pm; registration required
October 3
Old York’s Living History Day is based on the beloved “York Living History” field trip that gives children a chance to experience colonial activities. On October 3, participants of all ages can enjoy this experience! Old York’s community partners will join them at this event.
Old York Museum Center, 10 am to 4 pm
October 6
Volunteer opportunity: River Shoreline Cleanup with Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation
York Golf & Tennis Club; signup required
October 6
Guided Walk at Brave Boat Headwaters Preserve with Maine Master Naturalist Sally Harold
Kittery Land Trust’s Brave Boat Headwaters Preserve, 3:30 to 5 pm; registration required
October 10
Historic New England’s Community Day at Sayward-Wheeler House
Sayward-Wheeler House and grounds, 11 am to 3 pm