Conservation
National Public Lands Day
National Public Lands Day is September 27!
Our public lands are more than just places to visit—they are woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. From the trails we hike to the parks where we gather with family and friends, these spaces are our collective backyard, our shared front porch, our natural playground.
Join us on September 27, 2025, to celebrate "Our Home Outdoors" and care for the public lands we share.
Host an NPLD Event
Register your event, sign into your account, and find tools to organize and promote it.
What is National Public Lands Day?
National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event for public lands, held each year on the fourth Saturday in September. It's also a “Fee-Free Day”, when entrance fees are waived at national parks and many other public lands across the country.
Coordinated by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), NPLD brings together thousands volunteers—individuals, families, organizations, and agencies—to care for and celebrate America’s public lands through service and community events.
Public lands include national parks, forests, monuments, wildlife refuges, grasslands, marine sanctuaries, lakes, and state, county, and city parks—spaces managed by public agencies or nonprofits and open to all.
As the national coordinator of NPLD, NEEF supports land managers and community organizers by offering:
- Training and tools for volunteer coordination
- Event planning resources
- Grant opportunities
- An online platform to register and promote events
- Distribution of Fee-Free Day coupons for participating federal agency sites
- National impact reporting to highlight collective achievements
NPLD is more than a day of service—it’s a chance to give back, build community, and enjoy the public lands that support our health, environment, and well-being.
NPLD Event Planning Resources
NPLD Site Manager Guide
This guide supports new and returning site managers in planning and executing successful NPLD events.
Día Nacional de Tierras Públicas
El Día Nacional de Tierras Públicas de la Fundación Nacional de Educación Ambiental (NEEF) es el mayor evento...
Spread the Word: Promoting Your NPLD Event
In this webinar, our expert panelists share tips and best practices to understand the most effective...
Public Lands Engagement Guides
NEEF's engagement guides cover key strategies for planning and executing successful environmental education...
A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgment
Land acknowledgment is a simple, powerful way of showing respect and a step toward correcting the stories and...
More Than a Clean Up: Adding Variety to Your NPLD Event
In this webinar, you'll get tips on how to incorporate other stewardship activities into your NPLD event -...
Inspiring Environmental Connection in Youth through Outdoor Exploration and Service
This webinar offers valuable insights on hosting impactful National Public Lands Day events for youth. It...
How to Host a Successful National Public Lands Day Event
Friends of Herring Run Parks shares ten tips to help organizations host a successful National Public Lands Day...
NPLD Promotional Toolkit
We help you spread the word to draw in volunteers of all ages from your community and engage your local media.
NPLD Educational Activities
NPLD iNaturalist Project
Take part in NEEF's NPLD BioBlitz with the iNaturalist app at your NPLD event.
Outdoor Discoveries: Environmental Education Activities for Volunteer Events
This guide is designed to help you lead environmental education activities that not only enrich our natural...
What is Biodiversity? Activity Guide
This activity guide teaches students about the important role biodiversity plays in the well-being of people...
Where service meets celebration
From majestic mountains to sprawling forests, public lands provide a chance for us to connect with nature, explore our country's rich history, and enjoy endless recreational and educational opportunities. By hosting an NPLD volunteer event, you'll be joining a nationwide effort to preserve and protect our natural spaces ensuring that they remain a vital part of our communities.
NEEF and the USDA Forest Service celebrated National Public Lands Day at the United States Arboretum in Washington, DC.
NEEF joined National Park Service Director Chuck Sams III, NPS staff, and local volunteers for an NPLD Signature Event at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee.
history of Npld & impact in the last decade
The inaugural National Public Lands Day, originally known as "Public Lands Appreciation Day," took place on July 30, 1994...Read more about the history of National Public Lands Day.
impact on national Public Lands Day
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.
In addition to providing support to NPLD event organizers, NEEF conducts surveys and compiles post-event data, resulting in valuable metrics and nationwide impact figures that demonstrate the positive results of NPLD.
On Saturday, September 28, 2024, people across the country—and the globe— joined together to restore and improve America’s public lands as part of the 31st annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD). Over 700 events were held in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the US Virgin Islands. An estimated 50,000 participants of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds showed their support for our country's natural spaces.
NPLD Stories
NPLD Champion Protects Endangered Species at Military Installations with Help from Volunteers
Involving volunteers in conservation biology creates a ripple effect, boosting engagement, expanding outreach...
Nature Lovers Say “I Do” to a Wedding on National Public Lands Day
A Virginia couple took their love of volunteering on public lands to the next level by getting married on...
Top 10 Tips to Rally NPLD Volunteers
Need some inspiration to generate some buzz before and during your upcoming National Public Lands Day (NPLD)...
Who participates in NPLD? What do volunteers do? These questions and more are answered.
Stay Updated
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National Public Lands Federal Partners
Corporate Sponsors
SUPPORT NPLD
Thank you for considering sponsoring National Public Lands Day! Join us in making a difference and showcase your commitment to environmental and community impact.
Become an Employee Engagement Sponsor
Energize your workforce and give back to the community with our Employee Engagement Sponsorship, which includes a special "day of service" activity tailored to your CSR goals.
Become an NPLD Sponsor
Make a meaningful impact and inspire others to get involved by sponsoring National Public Lands Day. Your support will help us make this exciting event a success!