This Saturday, September 24, 2016, public lands across the country invite you to get outside and join in on a day of volunteer service and learning. With more than 2,500 events planned and 200,000 people expected to participate, there is bound to be a National Public Lands Day event near you.
Here's 7 National Public Lands Day Events We Think You'll Love:
1. Pisgah Pride Day in Pisgah Forest, western North Carolina
The Cradle of Forestry in America Interpretive Association is partnering with the Pisgah Conservancy to host Pisgah Pride Day and the Pink Beds BioBlitz. Pisgah Pride Day will be a broad-based volunteer work day in the Pisgah Ranger District, working with the U.S. Forest Service and its partner organizations. The Pink Beds BioBlitz will be held at the Cradle of Forestry for those who would like to conduct species surveys or participate in nature walks focusing on botany, entomology, ecology, amphibians, mushrooms, and more.
Photo Credit: Jeff Moore, flickr.
2. Redwood Cycle Fest: A National Parks Centennial Celebration in Redwood Parks, northern California
Redwoods Park Conservancy hosts its first annual Redwood Cycle Fest, a celebration of bicycles and current and future biking opportunities, on September 24-25th at the Mill Creek Watershed Addition of Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. Redwood Parks Conservancy is partnering with Crescent City-based adventure outfitters, Redwood Rides, to celebrate the centennial of the National Parks Service by hosting a fun-filled weekend of healthy and educational activities, culminating in a heart-pounding bike race through the redwoods on September 25. View the event flyer here.
3. Skinner Cabin Fence Building Project in McInnis Canyons NCA, southwestern Colorado
Join Colorado Canyons Association and Historicorps to create a fence around the historic Skinner Cabin in the rugged McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, an area known for its sheer sandstone canyons, natural arches, spires and alcoves and renowned paleontological and cultural resources. All skill levels are welcome. Volunteers are asked to wear weather appropriate clothes, close toed shoes, and to bring work gloves. Colorado Canyons Association will provide lunch and a National Public Lands Day t-shirt to all volunteers.
4. Root Beer Float Party and Work Project in Big Bend National Park, south Texas
Big Bend Conservancy is partnering with Big Bend National Park to host a Root Beer Float party and social on Friday night September 23 on the porch of the Chisos Mountain Lodge. This event is free and sponsored by Saint Arnold Brewery and Forever Resorts. On Saturday morning, there will be a work project in the Rio Grande Village area of the Park. Join Big Bend Conservancy at this event for their final in a series of celebrations for the NPS Centennial year.
5. Volunteer at Pinnacles National Park and Celebrate the Historic Ben Bacon Ranch in central California
Join Pinnacles Partnership at Pinnacles National Park to celebrate new interpretive signage at the historic Ben Bacon Ranch. The Ben Bacon Ranch Historic District represents the re-irrigation homestead/agricultural landscape of central California. Volunteer with Pinnacles Partnership and the National Park Service in the morning from 9am – 12pm and then join them for music and fun in the afternoon as they hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new signage!
6. Desert Dace Day near the Black Rock Desert, Nevada
September 23 – 25, Nevada Outdoor School and Friends of Black Rock High Rock will be partnering with the BLM, Friends of Nevada Wilderness, US Fish and Wildlife Service and Nevada Department of Wildlife for "Desert Dace Day" at Soldier Meadows. The campout and volunteer weekend will focus on fun and activities to improve habitat for the small, endemic fish known as the Desert Dace which lives in the hot springs in Northwestern Nevada. This is a continuation of an on-going multi-year project to remove overgrowth that causes flooding and allows the Green Sunfish to threaten and attack the endemic Desert Dace. Other projects include trash clean-up around Soldier Meadows Cabin and any repairs inside, as necessary.
7. Plant Trees and Join a BBQ at Pompeys Pillar National Monument in south central Montana
On September 24th, the Friends of Pompeys Pillar and the BLM staff at Pompeys Pillar National Monument will be planting over 100 trees and bushes at the monument. The Friends of Pompeys Pillar will provide a free BBQ lunch for volunteers. National Public Lands Day is a free admission day so come to the Pillar on the 24th even if you can't volunteer. It's always a good day to visit Pompeys Pillar National Monument!
Visit Public Lands for Free on National Public Lands Day
National Public Lands Day volunteers who serve at a site managed by the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or USDA Forest Service will receive a coupon good for a "fee-free" day at any site managed by those agencies.
Public Lands Alliance Nonprofit Members
Many of the nonprofits featured in this article are members of an important network to support all of America's public lands. Together, Public Lands Alliance members serve over 500 public lands sites nationwide in cooperation with their land management agency partners. To find out what our other nonprofit members are doing to promote, preserve and protect our public lands, visit our current members page.
About National Public Lands Day
The 23rd annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the nation's largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands. Learn more at publiclandsday.org.