If you’re a nature lover, you’re going to want to mark your calendar. September 23rd is the 30th annual National Public Lands Day. The day will be not only one of celebration and appreciation of the U.S. National Park System, but the biggest volunteering day of the year at parks and public lands.
Organized by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), in collaboration with federal agencies, nonprofits, and state and local parks, it’s expected to bring together over 70-thousand volunteers who’ll be working on hundreds of service projects nationwide.
But if volunteering isn’t your bag, there are still plenty of ways to take advantage of the day. According to USA TODAY, all of the 425 sites in the National Park System will be waiving entry fees for the day.
This is something I want to do with my boys one day! When they get old enough, I would love to rent an RV for a few weeks and do all the National Parks out west. Our Nanny did an amazing trip out west a few years ago and she said it was amazing. She also thought it was a good trip for kids between the ages of 8-15.
This includes national parks, battlefields, monuments, and seashores. Additionally, federal lands overseen by entities like the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will also offer free access.
- If you’re interested in volunteering on National Public Lands Day, you can find opportunities on the NEEF website at neefusa.org
If you can’t make it to a National public park this month maybe you’ll want to stay local and check out one of the most “picturesque” small towns in North Carolina!
