DEPEW, N.Y. —   Saturday marked I Love My Park Day across the state, and people in Western New York are helping lead the effort to protect the Earth's natural wonders.

Community members and local officials gathered at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve in Depew.

They helped clean up fallen leaves, removed invasive species and planted new trees at the preserve.

The groups did this for one important reason.

"Just to really get people to appreciate how beautiful their parks are, to get them excited about going out in nature now that the weather has broken and sort remind them how important it to take care of their parks,” Assemblymember Monica Wallace (D-Lancaster) said. “You can always, obviously, if you're out on the trail and you see some garbage, pick it up. What you take in, you take out. Make sure you don't leave anything behind. But just go out and enjoy your beautiful parks, its beautiful here in Western New York we have some of the most spectacular outdoor spaces so go out and enjoy it."