National Public Lands Day Events Planned at BLM Sites near Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT NEWS RELEASE
Coeur d'Alene BLM

Release Date: 09/19/12

Contacts:		Carrie Hugo (208) 769-5048
		Suzanne Endsley (208) 769-5004

National Public Lands Day Events Planned at BLM Sites near Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint

COEUR D’ALENE, ID – Saturday, September 29, will mark the 18th year for National Public Lands Day (NPLD). The event that began with only three locations and 700 volunteers in 1994 has become an annual event at 2,100 public land sites with over 170,000 volunteers participating.

Volunteering during NPLD is a great way for the public to discover the beauty and opportunities available on their public lands. This year the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Coeur d’Alene Field Office will host events on September 29 at two locations: Blue Creek Bay Recreation Site east of Coeur d’Alene and Gamlin Lake south of Sandpoint. Work includes trail improvements, planting native species, general clean-up and assisting with installation of signs.

“The helping hand that volunteers and volunteer groups provide at our BLM recreation sites allows us to provide a higher quality outdoor experience for users,” said Kurt Pindel, recreation planner for the Field Office. “It may be something as small as picking up trash, but the contributions from our volunteers add up to make a significant difference! National Public Lands Day is one more opportunity to make that difference.”

If you are interested in lending a hand, volunteer activities get underway at 9:00 a.m. at both locations and conclude by noon. Please dress appropriately for the weather; bring water and work gloves; and plan to get a little dirty.

The event at the Blue Creek Bay Recreation Area will take place at the new trailhead parking area located along Yellowstone Trail Road. Volunteers attending the Gamlin Lake event will meet in the parking area.

For additional information about the Blue Creek Bay Recreation Area and Gamlin Lake, please visit the Coeur d’Alene Field Office webpage at: http://www.blm.gov/id/st/en/fo/coeur_d_alene/recreation_sites_.html or call the office at 208-769-5000.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2012, activities on public lands generated $4.6 billion in revenue, much of which was shared with the States where the activities occurred. In addition, public lands contributed more than $112 billion to the U.S. economy and helped support more than 500,000 jobs.

--BLM--

Last updated: 09-19-2012