The first signs of fall foliage have officially been spotted in New York, and though the vibrant colors of fall haven’t reached NYC specifically yet, we’re definitely taking advantage of the *slight* drop in temperature.
And this weekend is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors as people all across the country will be able to get into national parks and other public lands for free in celebration of National Public Lands Day (NPLD)!
Established in 1994 and held in September, National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event. Each year hundreds of thousands of volunteers roll up their sleeves to help restore and preserve public lands–from iconic national parks to urban green spaces.
The event aims to foster a connection between people and the environment, and this weekend, Saturday, September 23, NPLD will celebrate its 30th anniversary.
Beyond just getting into national parks and public lands for free, New Yorkers can also celebrate the day by getting their hands dirty at various National Public Lands Day events.
This year hundreds of volunteer events are being offered including trail maintenance projects, park and river clean ups, tree planting activities, and invasive species removal projects.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial in Manhattan’s St. Nicholas Park, for example, is hosting a park cleanup on Sunday, September 24. More events can be found here.
“NPLD has proven invaluable in our mission to make the environment more accessible, relatable, relevant, and connected to people’s daily lives,” said Sara Espinoza, president and CEO of NEEF. “As we look forward, NEEF is excited to build on this legacy, expanding connections and nurturing a culture of care for our public lands.”
More information about NPLD can be found here.