For Immediate Release: August 26, 2005 CA-CDD-05-82
Contact: Doran Sanchez (951) 697-5220; E-mail: Doran_Sanchez@ca.blm.gov

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park Joins National Public Lands Day Celebrations

Local staff and volunteers from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Old Town San Diego State Historic Park will stage a living history reenactment of the exploration and surveys of public lands at the Historic Park on September 24 in recognition of the 12th annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD).

The Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, located at 4002 Wallace Street in San Diego, will be one of more than 650 sites participating in what will be the largest annual coast-to-coast, 1-day celebration of America's public lands. NPLD gives Americans an opportunity to learn about the lands they use to hike, bike, climb, explore, picnic or just plain relax on.

BLM and State Park staff will demonstrate how the exploration and surveys of the public lands in the west led to the National Parks, Monuments, Forests, and Wildlife Refuges the public enjoys today. The public can see authentic 19th century survey instruments and learn about the General Land Office, the Homestead Act, and other important milestones in the history of the public lands. The living history survey camp will be open on the historic Old Town plaza from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 24. The event and admission to the State Historic Park is free.

From building a footbridge along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park, to preserving the National Monument to the Forefathers in Plymouth, Massachusetts, as many as 90,000 Americans are expected at over 600 sites for NPLD in 2005, enjoying, preserving, and protecting their favorite public places for themselves and future generations.

By educating visitors and volunteers at sites across the country, NPLD maintains the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps, an army of 3 million Americans who in the 1930's countered the devastation of the Dust Bowl and the American chestnut blight by planting more than 3 billion trees, building 800 state parks, and fighting forest fires.

National Public Lands Day is managed by the National Environmental Education & Training Foundation (NEETF). Chartered by Congress in 1990, NEETF is a private nonprofit organization that develops and supports environmental learning programs to meet social goals and builds partnerships among government, the private sector and non-governmental organizations.

For more information contact Greg Hill with the BLM at (760) 251-4840 or see a list of NPLD sites, activities, contacts, and downloadable photos from past events on www.npld.com.

-BLM-

California Desert District Office - 22835 Calle San Juan De Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, California - (951) 697-5220