For Immediate Release: September 16, 2003

Contact: Mary Tisdale            202-452-5078              Don Bruns               303-239-3732              Hillerie C. Patton      303-239-3671

BLM Celebrates the Nation’s Public Lands: Reception Will Kick Off National Public Lands Day 2003 and Introduce New Recreation Guide

The Bureau of Land Management will celebrate the nation’s public lands with a reception on September 16 to launch National Public Lands Day 2003.  The event will showcase some of these magnificent lands through the introduction of the BLM’s new recreation guide, Adventures on America’s Public Lands, a full-color book highlights prime recreational destinations on BLM-managed lands in 20 states.  The publisher, Smithsonian Books, expects the new recreation guide to be available from booksellers worldwide in October 2003.

 Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton and Smithsonian Undersecretary of Science David Evans are scheduled to speak at the reception announcing the new guide, which describes a broad range of recreation activities at BLM-managed sites.   These sites comprise America’s largest acreage available for recreation, and are often within a short drive of major urban areas, yet removed from crowds.  The 510-page full-color recreation guide was written and illustrated by the BLM staff.

 BLM Director Kathleen Clarke noted that  the Adventures guide depicts the vast natural wealth of the public lands, and reinforces the message that it is everyone’s duty to care for them.   “America’s public lands are magnificent, timeless treasures that enrich the lives of millions,” said Clarke.  “Only careful stewardship shared by all can ensure their preservation for future generations.”

The September. 16 book reception will also feature exhibits, a slide show, music, and refreshments at the Interior Department’s historic South Penthouse and Roof Terrace.  Invitees include members of Congress; the media; representatives of prominent conservation, recreation, travel, and tourism groups; non-profit BLM partners; and representatives of several other organizations and BLM constituent groups.

The reception will serve as a prelude to National Public Lands Day (NPLD) 2003, which will be  celebrated on Saturday, September 20.  As the nation’s premier annual workday on behalf of America’s public lands, NPLD enlists the aid of tens of thousands of volunteers each year, producing public land improvements worth millions of dollars.  Begun in 1994, NPLD is a component of the newly re-launched “Take Pride in America” initiative, as well as part of President Bush’s USA Freedom Corps effort.

The BLM, one of eight Federal land-management agencies participating in the public lands workday, expects to host NPLD events at 80 sites around the nation this year, with work projects ranging from general clean-up to trail construction to archaeological site rehabilitation.  Many of the BLM’s NPLD projects will focus on improving recreation sites.

In connection with NPLD, the Natural Resources Council of America has selected the National Public Lands Day Partnership; NPLD corporate sponsor Toyota USA; and NPLD’s national coordinating body, the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation, to receive its “Conservation Partnership Award” for achievements on behalf of the public lands.

Excerpts from Adventures on America’s Public Lands may be previewed online at www.blm.gov/education/LearningLandscapes/menu/BLM_Adventures.htm.  Those seeking information on advance orders of the recreation guide should contact Smithsonian Books at 1-800-233-4380 or consult the Smithsonian online catalog at www.sipress.si.edu.  Additional information about the BLM, NPLD, and other initiatives can be found at the following Internet sites: BLM – www.blm.gov; National Public Lands Day – www.npld.com; Take Pride in America – www.takepride.gov; USA Freedom Corps – www.volunteer.gov; Natural Resources Council of America – www.naturalresourcescouncil.org.

The BLM, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, manages more land — 261 million surface acres — than any other Federal agency.  Most of this public land is located in 12 western States, including Alaska.  The Bureau, with a budget of about $1.9 billion and a workforce of some 10,000 full-time, permanent employees, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation.  The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.  The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on the public lands.

 The following is a list of BLM Colorado events:

• Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, Sand Canyon Pueblo, this archeological site includes 420 rooms, 100 kivas, and 14 towers.  Partnering with the San Juan Mountains Association and approximately 20 volunteers work will include a variety of projects that will ultimately rehabilitate the archeological site, address resource impacts from trail use, and provide information to visitors upon arrival at the trailhead.   For information contact the Anaszi Heritage Center at 970 882-4811, scheduled date, September 27, 2003.
• Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area, CCNCA Beautification, this event will focus on a beautification/cleanup project at the northeastern entrance to the Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area.  Approximately 65 volunteers, many are students from Fruita-Monument High School, will construct a entrance sign base, install two picnic tables and participate in rehab work.  The High School students will officially adopt the picnic site and take over responsibility for keeping it clean.  For information contact Grand Junction Field Office at 970 244-3000, scheduled date, September 20, 2003.
• Castle Valley Trails, Castle Valley Ranch Homeowners Association and the town of New Castle will partner with the Glenwood Springs BLM office to construct approximately 1.5 miles of non-motorized trail adjacent to the housing development on BLM land.  The local community formed and organized a volunteer group to provide trail opportunities to the 2,300 residents of New Castle and the public.  For information contact the Glenwood Springs Field Office at 970 947-2800, scheduled date, September 20, 2003.
• Phantom Canyon ATV Clean-Up, Phantom Canyon is part of the Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway.  Approximately 115,000 visitors drive and recreate along the Phantom Canyon road.  By the end of the summer, there’s a need to make minor repairs in the area, clean-up trash, repair vandalism/graffiti and restore the area to its natural scenic beauty.  The local Quad Duster & JE Quad ATV groups volunteer to help BPM with the clean up this popular recreation area.  For information contact the Royal Gorge Field Office in Canon City at 719-236-8500, scheduled date, September 20, 2003.
• 11th Annual Shelf Road NPLD Celebration, this event is held each year to perform trail and campground maintenance for the Shelf Road Recreation Area within the Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway.  This year approximately 50-75 volunteers will focus on trail maintenance on the Dark Side trail and campground rehabilitation.  The event focuses on using repeat visitors and user groups to encourage a sense of pride and ownership in the area.  For information contact the Royal Gorge Field Office in Canon City at 719-269-8500, scheduled September 27, 2003.
• Animas City Mountain Trail Work Day, working with the San Juan Mountain Association and volunteer from the City of Durango, this event will include; trail maintenance, erosion control, trash clean up, and installation of new signs.  For information contact the Columbine Field Office in Durango at 970 247-4874, scheduled date, September 13, 2003.
• Limekiln Area – Old Spanish Trail Wagon Tracks/Landform Sculpture, part of the trail is highly visible from this area.  To preserve these historically significant tracks, this project will construct a buck and pole fence around the perimeter.  Volunteers will also clean up the area and possibly fence off access to the actual landform sculptures.  For information contact the Monte Vista Detached Front Range Center in Monte Vista at 719 8525941, scheduled date, September 20, 2003.

-BLM-