National Public Lands Day

September 28, 2013 is the 20th anniversary of National Public Lands Day. This means that 1) admission/ parking fees to Public Lands, like national forests, are waived and 2) we have a chance to give back to the forests! While the forests are contributing to our green space, clean air, and generally the overall health of the environment, we are often just taking, taking, taking. National Public Lands Day is a day to give back and meet a lot of other really cool volunteers in the process.

Whether you are an experienced carpenter or office worker or anything in between, there are tasks for every skill level. Volunteer opportunities on the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests this year include maintaining and improving trails, installing signs, cleaning up along streams, and working to prevent the loss of hemlock trees. You can see a full list of the scheduled events online. Note that some of those events start this weekend, so you’ll have some extra time to join in over the next couple of weekends.

Events are scheduled at these following national forests:

Raven Cliffs Trail
Dicks Creek
Helton Creek Falls Trail
Aska Multi-Use Trail
Ocmulgee Bluff Trail
Dockery Lakeshore Trail
Clements Branch Hemlock Conservation Area

If you aren’t near one of Georgia’s National Forests, it’s still a great day to serve with simple acts like Hike In, Trash Out where visitors to parks carry along a baggie and pick up trash on the trek back to their vehicles. It’s a good practice whether you’re at a national, state, or neighborhood park.

25 Work Projects all over Georgia

Find even more projects going on in every region of the state!

Take advantage of the opportunity to share Georgia’s gorgeous and diverse outdoors with younger generations, passing on the importance of protecting our forests and waterways. Volunteers are asked to bring work gloves, hard hats/ bike helmets, and provide your own food, snacks, and water.

Share your activities on social media with #NPLD20.