Thousands of volunteers will flock to public lands in an effort to give back during the 29th National Public Lands Day (NPLD) scheduled for September 24.
NPLD is organized by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) in collaboration with federal, state, and nonprofit partners.
According to a press release, this year’s theme is “Giving Back Together” in honor of the role America’s public lands play in bringing people together.
“During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, our country’s public lands acted as a safe haven for all Americans to gather with their friends and families,” said Meri-Margaret Deoudes, president and CEO of NEEF.
“NPLD gives us an opportunity to return the favor. Along with our state and federal partners, we invite the public to join us in giving back to these spaces that have played such an important role in our lives.”
The special day is also designated as a Fee-Free Day, granting free admission for visitors at all national parks, as well as sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, and other participating federal agencies.
Over the past decade, over a million volunteers have donated nearly 5 million hours of their time for public lands on National Public Lands Day, worth an estimated $133 million.
Our partnership with NEEF on this day of service helps us introduce people to national parks and the recreational, inspirational, and educational benefits they provide,” said Shari Orr, National Park Service Volunteer Program Manager.
During the celebration, events include a cocktail of volunteer, education, health, and recreation activities taking place on public lands all over the country, from state and local parks to land managed by federal agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and USDA Forest Service.
Over 500 Volunteer Events Throughout the Country
Currently, there are over 500 nationwide volunteer events registered on NEEF’s website—and more being added each day.
“The Bureau of Land Management encourages all Americans to do their part to conserve and restore public lands, protect biodiversity, and address climate change,” said Derrick Baldwin, National Volunteer Program Lead at Bureau of Land Management.
“National Public Lands Day will see more than 7,000 volunteers, at 117 events, performing public service and the hard work the BLM needs done to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of America’s public lands.”
Shari Orr, National Park Service Volunteer Program manager said that the NPS will host nearly 100 events on NPLD to encourage people to discover, visit and interact with their public lands.
NPLD Signature Event at Northern Alabama Nature Preserve
Another special thing this year is the return of the National Public Lands Day Signature Event, which for many years has served as a kick-off for the nationwide celebration of public lands.
The 2022 NPLD Signature Event will be held at Harvest Square Nature Preserve in Huntsville, Alabama, in partnership with Toyota Motor North America, the national corporate sponsor of NPLD.
“This will be a special NPLD event for us, as we will be announcing a long-term project in the community to improve accessibility and enhance environmental education,” said Kevin Butt, senior director, environmental sustainability, sustainability & regulatory affairs at Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
Featured image from National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)
I’m genuinely thrilled about the upcoming National Public Lands Day on September 24. It’s impressive to see the thousands of volunteers coming together to give back to public lands. I appreciate that NPLD will include not only volunteering and education but also health and recreation events. It’s a wonderful opportunity for everyone to connect with nature, learn about environmental conservation, and contribute to the stewardship of public lands.
I’m a bit worried about the National Public Lands Day gatherings during the pandemic. 🌲 It’s crucial for volunteers to stay safe and follow guidelines for a successful and enjoyable day of service. Let’s make sure we prioritize safety while giving back together! 🌿