National Public Lands Day takes on a great significance this year due to the Trump administration’s assault on public lands, endangered species and wild environments, and the release of several executive orders set to derail environmental legislation. Though this national day includes a variety of activities for volunteers to engage in – from trash cleanups to habitat restoration projects – it also represents an opportunity for the public to express how important public lands are to themselves and to the planet.
National Public Lands Day, set as Sept. 26, is an annual day for volunteers, non-governmental organizations and state and federal employees to engage with restoration and cleanup projects on public lands, from national parks to local green spaces. Organized by the National Environmental Education Foundation, in partnership with the National Park Service and other federal agencies, this is a day to not only give back but also an opportunity to make one’s voice heard about how these special lands are being managed.
This year’s theme, Together for Tomorrow, offers opportunities from a wide audience of participants to work together and to highlight how public lands affect our daily lives and the legacy we leave behind for future generations.
Discover Your Forest will host a Trash Bash cleanup day in the La Pine area on Sept. 26, from 9 am to Noon.
“The primary focuses of the Care for the Land Program are bringing together community members for cleanup and restoration events while educating about Leave No Trace principles,” said Christina Edwards, Discover Your Forest’s Care for the Land coordinator. “Caring for public lands means more than enjoying them — it means taking responsibility for them. When we come together as a community to clean, restore, educate and protect, we ensure these lands remain healthy, accessible and cared for by all.”
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management will focus on an ongoing project, that includes partnership with Oregon Natural Desert Association, which involves a restoration project at Reynolds Pond on the edge of the Badlands Wilderness on Friday, Sept. 25, 10am – 3pm.
“When people have a hand in improving a place, they develop a sense of ownership and pride in the work. We’ve seen that at Reynolds Pond. In the past, when the area wasn’t well maintained, it became a site for parties, vandalism and illegal dumping,” said Joey Nikirk, OR/WA BLM Public Affairs Specialist. “Improvements, including major road repairs and work at the pond, have helped shift that culture from vandalism to stewardship. When an area looks cared for, visitors tend to help keep it that way.
“In 2023, the Empowering Access provided recommendations for addressing accessibility barriers,” added Nikirk. “We’ve already completed trail surfacing and compaction around the pond, and we’re looking for grants and other opportunities to add a restroom, replace the canal bridge with an accessible crossing, and improve parking.”
Though ONDA doesn’t have a volunteer project specifically set for NPLD, there are a couple of volunteer opportunities such as the Pine Creek Spring Restoration #3 project, near Clarno, that involves removing juniper trees, and the Beatys Butte Spring Restoration #2 project, in the Greater Hart-Shelton area. See the ONDA website for details and sign-ups.
“Oregon’s high desert public lands form the ecological foundation for thriving watersheds, resilient native habitats and the communities that rely on these healthy ecosystems,” said Hana Sant, ONDA’s engagement director. “Protecting these interconnected landscapes takes collective action. Whether you advocate, volunteer, or contribute financially, your investment in Oregon’s desert is essential to its long-term health.”
To reward yourself for getting involved in a NPLD event or to just get stoked about environmental activism around the world, don’t miss ONDA’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival, to be held at the Tower Theater on Oct. 2.
National Public Lands Day
Sept. 26
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