National Public Lands Day this month

On September 24, Americans across the country will participate in National Public Lands Day, the nation's largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands. The event calls people of all ages to connect to America's great outdoors and care for the country's public lands.

This year's National Public Lands Day supports the efforts of Let's Move Outside, a program of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! campaign. By linking parents to nearby parks, refuges, trails and waters, Let's Move Outside promotes a healthier and more active lifestyle for all family members. The volunteer experience allows children to explore and enjoy the outdoors while benefitting the community. After volunteering, families can take advantage of the many recreational opportunities on public lands. "In an increasingly urban, technology-focused world, more Americans of all ages are becoming disconnected from the natural world," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. "National Public Lands Day gives us - especially our children - an opportunity to get outside and lend a hand to help conserve our public lands and fish and wildlife resources."

In 2010, 170,000 volunteers worked at more than 2,080 public land sites in every state, the District of Columbia and in many U.S. territories to remove trash and invasive plants, build trails, and plant trees and other native plants.

Eight federal agencies, nonprofits and state, regional and local governments participate in National Public Lands Day, a day when people can visit all federal lands - including the Service's national wildlife refuges - without paying an entry fee. This year, September 24 will be a "fee free" day on national wildlife refuges and many other federal lands.