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National Public Lands Day clean up slated
Knights Ferry effort
KF bridge
The park area along the Stanislaus River and around the historic covered bridge in Knights Ferry will be the focus of a one-day clean-up effort on Sept. 28 as part of National Public Lands Day, when volunteers join forces to care for public lands. Families and individual volunteers are welcome to participate to assist in the work at Knights Ferry. Photo By Marg Jackson

Volunteers at the Stanislaus River Parks – specifically for the Knights Ferry Recreation Area – will be joining in with other volunteers to be part of the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands later this month.

For over three decades, National Public Lands Day (NPLD) has inspired hundreds of thousands of volunteers to give back to the nation’s public lands in all 50 states and US territories. From trail maintenance to tree plantings and educational activities to cultural celebrations, people across the country come together to make a lasting impact. Join the National Environmental Education Foundation and partners for the 31st annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD) on Sept. 28, 2024.

Locally, the US Army Corps of Engineers will put on the clean-up effort, running from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Knights Ferry Recreation Area. Volunteers of all ages, including family groups, are welcome and encouraged to take part.

Organizers note that NPLD is more than just a clean-up; it’s a chance to connect with new communities, enjoy outdoor activities, and support physical and mental health. It’s also an opportunity to use public lands for education, recreation, and environmental conservation. For more information about getting involved in the Sept. 28 clean up, call 209-881-3517.

A signature event of the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the largest single-day volunteer event for public lands in the United States, taking place annually on the fourth Saturday of September. NPLD is also a “Fee-Free Day,” meaning that all national parks, forests, refuges, and rangelands are free to enter for visitors on this day. It is one of only five days a year when entrance fees are waived at national parks and certain state and local parks.

NPLD promotes shared stewardship of public lands through a variety of programs, activities, and volunteer work projects. In the last 10 years, NPLD has had over 1,000,000 volunteers and generated over $133 million in volunteer service.

Learn more about National Public Lands Day at NEEFUSA.org/NPLD. Everyone is encouraged to follow and participate in the conversation on social media using the hashtag #NPLD.