This Saturday, Sept. 27, seven federal agencies will participate in National Public Lands Day, along with more than 250 state, county, and city partners and a host of nonprofit groups, including the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, Student Conservation Association and The Corps Network. However, although many of these agencies will be waiving use and access fees on Saturday to encourage use of public lands and participation in the day’s planned events, the focus of the day is two-fold, and a two-way street. National Public Lands Day not only highlights the public’s right to enjoy access to these public lands, but emphasizes our responsibility to protect and preserve these important resources.
More than 175,000 volunteers are expected to visit their favorite parks, beaches, wildlife preserves or forests and chip in to help improve these treasured places this Saturday. National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is an opportunity to gather the community and have individuals and families give back to their local lands. Projects will include volunteer-based events and recreational or educational activities at places including local parks, state parks, community gardens and federal lands. The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) created NPLD to help improve public lands and to educate youth and adults about their importance. For the past 21 years, millions of volunteers around the country have pitched in to spruce up some of America’s most precious treasures. “Thousands of volunteers will visit their favorite parks, beaches, wildlife preserves or forests and chip in to help improve the lands and facilities that all Americans own, and that we use for recreation, education, exercise and just plain enjoyment,“ said Diane Wood, President of NEEF. “One third of America’s land is in public hands and NPLD offers everyone an opportunity to explore and give back.”
In Georgia, Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites, in collaboration with NPLD, is hosting Your State Parks Day and more than 50 state parks and historic sites are participating, including an open house with a fundraiser pancake breakfast on the veranda at Travelers Rest Historic Site in Toccoa, a Lake Hartwell Shore Cleanup at Tugaloo State Park, and a hike along a one-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail, starting from Woody Gap to Big Cedar Mountain and back as part of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Family Hiking Day. View more Georgia NPLD sites here.
In North Carolina, the Cherokee County Big Sweep at the USFS Hanging Dog Campground is the annual lake, streams and waterways trash clean up effort on Hiwassee Lake. Hikes hosted by the Nantahala Hiking Club will be offered Saturday starting at the Standing Indian Campground, and Chimney Rock State Park rangers will host volunteers in an NPLD event maintaining trails on Rumbling Bald Mountain. To view more North Carolina State Park events, click here.
In South Carolina, The Wilderness & River Celebration will be held in Sumter National Forest near Mountain Rest, featuring a day of hiking, kids’ activities, river clean-up, paddling, fly fishing, horse riding and celebrating. Smokey and Banjo Bear will be there. To view this and other South Carolina State Park events, click here.
