Also, fees waived at national parks and other federal public lands that day
CALIFORNIA — 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 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.
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 can join the clean up the Santa Ana River mouth at Tower 74 in Newport Beach. This vital corridor supports endangered shorebirds like the CA Least Tern and Western Snowy Plover. Bring gloves, a hat, and a refillable water bottle, and make a meaningful impact on our local environment.
Volunteers can join the habitat restoration efforts at Sepulveda Dam Basin, including removing invasive plants, crafting seed balls, picking up litter, and enjoying nature walks with local experts. Help restore this vital wildlife reserve and connect with your community.
Celebrate National Public Lands Day by helping remove invasive Castor Bean and Indian Tobacco from trails near the Tregnan Golf Academy in Griffith Park. Volunteers will cut and bag invasive plants, contributing to the health of this beloved park.
Other Events Within 100 Miles of Los Banos:
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
Volunteer opportunities around project with lunch provided.
Raymond, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 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
Work projects will include painting, trail work, installing new signs, cleaning up trash, and general miscellaneous beautification tasks within Pine Flat Lake’s Island Park Campground.
Sanger, CA
Activities: Volunteer
Audiences: Adult, Family, College
Sat, 09/28/2024 – 9:00am
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
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
YOSEMITE FACELIFT is Yosemite National Park’s celebration of National Public Lands Day – only here, it’s a whole week! In partnership with the Yosemite Climbing Association, the National Park Service puts on this five-day event every September. It’s a family friendly event centered around cleaning up the effects that thousands of visitors per day can have over time in a busy season in Yosemite. All around the park, people pick up litter and bring it back to the event tables in Yosemite Valley to be weighed, sorted, and properly disposed. We also offer special projects that support seed collection in meadows as well as high-angle cleanup (yes, people leave trash and waste even on the walls of El Capitan!). Choose your own hours – even 1 hour or half an hour of participation is worthwhil
Yosemite National Park, CA
Activities: Volunteer, Educational , Recreational
Audiences: Adult, Youth, Family, College, Bilingual
Wed, 09/25/2024 – 8:00am
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
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.
