Volunteer at one of 50 events in California for National Public Lands Day Sept. 28
Also, fees waived at national parks and other federal public lands that day
By Amy Skalmusky, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, National Environmental Education Foundation
On Saturday, September 28, there are nearly 50 volunteer events throughout the state for National Public Lands Day (NPLD). Parks are seeking volunteers.
It’s also a great day to get outside because entry fees will be waived at national parks and other federal public lands, including national monuments, forests, recreation areas, seashores, wildlife refuges, historical sites, battlefields, and grasslands.
The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) coordinates NPLD in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, and other federal agencies, state and local parks, and non-profits. This year marks the 31st annual event. People can find hundreds of already-planned volunteer events and other cool activities in most states by searching the official NPLD Map, with more added every day.
Here are a few events happening in California on NPLD:
Volunteers can participate in various projects across the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. With habitat restoration, landscaping, nursery, and gardens programs, there is something for everyone.
Volunteers will address illegal dumping at Post Mountain within the Hayfork Ranger District. Supported by the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, this cleanup effort aims to remove large dump sites and prevent further trash accumulation.
Volunteers will honor the 40th anniversary of the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area. Help with garden restoration at the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center, then enjoy a panel presentation about the area’s rich history.
More Events Within 100 Miles of Antioch
In-Person Event
National Public Lands Day and Coastal Clean-up Day Events 2024
Join us on September 25-28, 2024, for National Public Lands Day– the nation’s largest volunteer effort for public lands! Established in 1994, this annual event celebrates the connection between people and green space in their community, inspires environmental stewardship, and encourages use of open space for education, recreation, and health benefits. With habitat restoration, landscaping, nursery, and gardens programs, there is something for everyone. Bring yourself, your friends, and your family! Registration required.
When: Wednesday, September 25 – Saturday, September 28, 2024.
Where: Project locations vary throughout the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), see below for more details.
Groups of five or more require special arrangements and must be confirmed in advance. Please review the List of Available Projects and fill out the Group Project Request Form.
The Golden Gate National Parks Volunteer Program is a cooperative parkwide effort of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, the National Park Service, and the Presidio Trust.
San Francisco, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 9:00am
In-Person Event
National Public Lands Day at the Cosumnes River Preserve
Your public lands are in need of your helping hands. Join thousands of other Americans across the country along with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the National Environmental Education Foundation as we celebrate National Public Lands Day on Saturday September 28th!
Galt, CA
Activities: Volunteer , Educational
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 8:00am
In-Person Event
27th Annual Yuba River Cleanup
A week-long small group self-guided cleanup which starts on California Coastal Cleanup Day (9/21) culminating in a community-wide Cleanup Event and party during National Public Lands Day (9/28)
NEVADA CITY, CA
Activities: Volunteer , Recreational
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/21/2024 – 8:00am
In-Person Event
Projects we will focus on this NPLD: picking up litter, graffiti abatement, trail maintenance, painting projects,
Oakdale, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 7:00am
In-Person Event
Come out and celebrate National Public Lands Day at New Hogan Lake!
Valley Springs, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 8:00am
In-Person Event
Englebright Lake will be conducting a lake clean up to remove any litter that has accumulated throughout the recreation season. Come and join the Park Rangers for an exciting opportunity to be a good steward to the lands that we enjoy!
Smartsville, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 8:00am
In-Person Event
Lake Sonoma Cleanup Day
Geyserville, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 8:00am
In-Person Event
Fort Ord National Monument – Public Lands Day
Volunteers are needed to help with native plant landscaping, seed and straw throw, invasive weed removal, native seed collection, oak care and watering, and trail maintenance work. Volunteers will work from 9:00-11:30 and then be treated to a free lunch, t-shirts and park entry passes hosted by Monument partners at FORT Friends and NEEF.
Marina, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Family, College
Sat, 10/26/2024 – 9:00am
In-Person Event
National Public Lands Day and Coastal Clean Up Day
San Francisco Maritime NHP is hosting a National Public Lands Day and Coastal Clean-up Day event in Aquatic Park on September 28, 2024.
San Francisco, CA
Activities: Volunteer , Historical/Cultural
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 10:00am
In-Person Event
National Public Lands Day: Seashore Cleanup – Invasive Iceplant Pull
Join Point Reyes National Seashore in improving habitat for native flora and fauna by removing invasive plants. This is a FREE voluntary event.
Rangers will be on-hand at a localized area within the seashore to host a group event removing invasive Sea Fig, (Carpobrotus edulis), which crowds out native plants and decreases habitat for native species.
Help park rangers remove this lovely but invasive plant at the North Beach parking lot.
No experience necessary. Bring your own gloves, snacks, and plenty of drinking water; instructions on how to pull iceplant will be provided.
Limited to 25 volunteers. This event ends at noon. Bring your own lunch and enjoy a lunch on the beach afterwards!
Inverness, CA
Activities: Volunteer , Educational , Recreational , Health & Wellness
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 10:00am
In-Person Event
Volunteer event happening at New Melones Lake in the Glory Hole and Tuttletown Recreation Areas
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 8:00am
In-Person Event
Bear Yuba Land Trust is joining South Yuba River Citizens League in uniting the community for the Annual River Cleanup! BYLT will be out with volunteers to clean up our host site, Sugarloaf Mountain & Trail, along with the general surrounding area.
Our group will be pulling trash and debris from Sugarloaf Mountain, with opportunities for all ages and abilities to get involved. Please bring gloves, a hat, comfortable shoes and water. We’ll provide snacks and a water refill station.
Nevada City, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 9:00am
Please let me know if you are interested in getting details or if you would like any photos. Over 500 volunteer events are happening nationwide, with volunteering in nearly every state. In the past decade, over a million people have volunteered on National Public Lands Day, the single largest volunteering day for parks and public lands.
the attachments to this post:
Nat’l Public Lands Day 2024 art
