Monumental Occasions - National Public Lands Day

Kristie Ehrhardt • September 10, 2026

Public Lands Day is a national one-day party to celebrate the largest volunteer effort to benefit the wellbeing of our public lands. Because it’s so fun though, lots of organizations celebrate all week long with events beginning on Monday, September 21st. There are lots of activities to participate in such as trail building and maintenance (something Tuleyome doesn’t save up for one designated day, with your help we do it all year long!), planting native trees and vegetation, repairing and restoring habitat and structures, endangered species monitoring, cleaning up trash and removing invasive plants and much much more. If you can’t participate in person, there are virtual talks and even hikes that you can join without having to change out of your pajamas.

 

Last year alone there were over 55,000 volunteers at more than 900 events across the country getting dirty with their community to spiff up those public lands that are near and dear to our hearts. The theme for National Public Lands Day (NPLD) this year is “Caring for Our Shared America” and because it is America’s 250th birthday, we think the turnout will be even more Monumental (ahhh, snuck that one in!).

 

National Public Lands Day began in 1994 and occurs annually on the third Saturday in September. The yearly event is organized by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) in partnership with the National Park Service and other agencies. NEEF is a non-partisan, non-profit organization sanctioned by Congress in 1990 through the National Environmental Education Act. NEEF focuses on improving and maintaining public access to the environment for enrichment in our daily lives. Public Lands include forests, national monuments, wildlife refuges, grasslands, marine sanctuaries, lakes and waterways, city, county and state parks and beyond - spaces managed by public agencies and non-profits that provide places for public recreation and connection to each other and the environment.

 

While planned events focus on improving the environment and opportunities for education, recreation, and the betterment of physical and mental health, a beneficial side effect is the kinship that naturally develops between those coming together for a common purpose.

 

Some interesting events in the Cosumnes River Preserve include invasive plant removal by canoe, maintenance on their fabulous boardwalk and a family-friendly guided nature walk. Visit NEEF's website to find other events throughout the nation. If you’re interested in planning your own National Public Lands Day event, NEEF can help you with that too. To volunteer in your own community, contact local conservation groups, regional, state and federal agencies. 

 

National Public Lands day provides an opportunity for all nature lovers from seasoned hikers with callouses and stories to go with them to those just breaking in their first pair of hiking boots, a chance to work side by side to show appreciation for our shared public lands. If you aren’t able to volunteer you can still help better our public lands by following and practicing the Leave No Trace principles while recreating:

 

  • Plan ahead and prepare
  • Travel and camp on durable surfaces
  • Dispose of waste properly
  • Leave what you find
  • Minimize campfire impacts
  • Respect wildlife
  • Be considerate of others

 

Practicing these ideas minimizes our impact on the environment, wildlife and others. These principles are as important in our local neighborhood parks as they are in our national parks and monuments.

 

Join Tuleyome in celebrating Public Lands and an enduring commitment to conservation - not only on September 26 but everyday. Now, go take a hike!

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