National Public Lands Day

Today is National Public Lands Day!

NEEF's National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. Established in 1994 and held annually on the fourth Saturday in September, this celebration brings out thousands of volunteers to help restore and improve public lands around the country.

This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has upended many aspects of daily life in this country, and our public lands are no exception. Due to social distancing requirements remaining in place for the foreseeable future, many public lands sites will be unable to host large, in-person NPLD events. With this in mind, we expanded the available options for volunteers during this year’s NPLD!

Virtual and In-Person Events for NPLD 2020

The theme for NPLD 2020 is "More Ways to Connect to Nature." In addition to our standard NPLD programming, this year's celebration includes virtual events designed to connect the public to iconic parks, national forests, marine estuaries, and other public lands sites. These online events serve as an alternative for NPLD site managers who are uncomfortable with or are not allowed to host in-person events due to local regulations. 

This does not mean we have abandoned in-person events. However, we require all sites hosting in-person events to follow all CDC guidelines and local regulations to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This includes setting up sanitizing stations, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, mandating proper mask usage and social distancing, and encouraging volunteers to stay home if they feel sick. 

Remember to have fun, be safe, and spread the word of NPLD to your friends, family, and other fans of America’s public lands!