National Public Lands Day began in 1995 and is now the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy. According to the National Environmental Education Foundation, in 2008, 120,000 volunteers built trails and bridges, removed trash and invasive plants, and planted over 1.6 million trees in over 1800 locations and in every state.
National Public Lands Day began in 1994 with three federal agencies and 700 volunteers. Last year 120,000 volunteers worked in over 1,800 locations and in every state. Now,8 federal agencies and many state and local lands participate in this annual day of caring for shared lands.
The Foundation continues by stating that Public Lands Day keeps the promise of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the “tree army” that worked from 1933-42 to preserve and protect America’s natural heritage.
The benefits of the annual event is that it:
- Educates Americans about critical environmental and natural resources issues and the need for shared stewardship of these valued, irreplaceable lands;
- Builds partnerships between the public sector and the local community based upon mutual interests in the enhancement and restoration of America’s public lands;
- Improves public lands for outdoor recreation, with volunteers assisting land managers in hands-on work.
President Obama recently announced United We Serve, a new program encouraging Americans to create meaningful change in their communities by engaging in service.
Many sites in Virginia are involved in this event and are listed on click here