National Public Lands Day in Arizona
Celebrate National Public Lands Day by volunteering with BLM Arizona.
Join hundreds of thousands of people at sites throughout the country and take part in the National Environmental Education Foundation’s (NEEF) annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD). National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands. NEEF uses the day to connect people to public lands and their communities, inspire environmental stewardship, and encourage use of public lands for education, recreation, and general health.
Most BLM Arizona events take place on Sept. 23, 2023, but there are a couple of events taking place in October and December. We hope you'll join us!
- Arizona Strip District
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Working together for Recovery and Resilience at the Condor Viewing Site
The event will be a service project that will allow public land and condor enthusiasts to work with biologists and field staff from the Southwest condor working group to improve the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument condor release viewing site in preparation for the highly anticipated 2024 condor release.
As partner agencies continue the work to minimize the spread of avian flu which resulted in numerous fatalities in 2023 and for vaccine trials to continue, this year's annual release will temporarily be replaced with this 2023 public lands day event. The event will provide the public with ample opportunities to continue to support this endangered species, giving local flocks extended time to socially distance, as we come together to support the educational and logistical aspects of future events with site improvements.
Volunteers are responsible for their own sun protection including sunscreen, long sleeve shirt, hat, ample water for the day (at minimum 1 gallon per person), electrolytes, snacks, and a lunch if desired as the closest facilities to obtain supplies are 40 minutes away from the remote release site.
An informational kiosk, shade structure, and restroom will be at the site.
When: Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (If traveling from Utah, please note the differences between time zones as the event begins at 10 a.m. MDT/9 a.m. MST, northern-Arizona Condor Time).
Where: View it on a map. Driving directions: Take Highway 89A from Kanab or Page to the Vermilion Cliffs (from Flagstaff take Highway 89 to Highway 89A). Turn north onto BLM Road 1065 (a dirt road next to the small house just east of the Kaibab Plateau) and continue almost 3 miles.
Registration: Registration will occur on site.
Contact: Margaret O'Reilly, BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner, at moreilly@blm.gov or 435-688-3200
Learn more at the National Public Lands Day event page. - Gila District
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Safford Field Office Cleanup Event
The Safford Field Office manages 1.4 million acres of public land in six eastern Arizona counties. Just north of the Gila Valley are approximately 135,000 acres of unbroken public land close to or within town or city limits.
This year the Safford Field Office will be conducting clean up efforts on an area of public land inside the Safford City limits. The project area has historically been used as an illegal dumping site. Through this event, we hope to clean this gateway to public land and improve the appearance of our local community.
This easily accessible public land is both an advantage for the community and a struggle for land managers. Although residents benefit from the many access points to public land for activities like hunting, off-roading, and hiking, there are also those who abuse this access to dispose of waste. The project area is one such location where yard, construction, and household waste have been illegally dumped on public land. The location also borders a parcel of Arizona State Trust Land that will be cleaned during the event. We look forward to this cleanup as a way to demonstrate to the community our commitment to the BLM’s mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. We encourage all in the community to respect and care for public lands as well.
This will be a half-day event where tools, equipment, gloves, and water will be provided by the BLM. Registration will happen onsite on the day of the event. Expect a moderate amount of walking, crouching, and occasional lifting of heavy objects, if capable. Bring a water bottle, sun protection, snacks, and wear pants and long sleeves. We also encourage carpooling if possible.
When: Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Public land off of E. Airport Road
Contact: Lamoni Mora, Bureau of Land Management Outdoor Recreation Planner, at lmora@blm.gov or 928-348-4577
Learn more at the National Public Lands Day event page.
Sign up for the event here.
Outdoor Classroom - 4th Grade Outreach Event
Tucson Field Office will conduct an outdoor classroom on the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area for 4th grade students from the Vail School District. This will include a safety orientation, five rotating learning stations, a Q&A learning assessment and a small celebration at the end. During the celebration students will receive a grab bag of learning materials and a 4th Grade Every Kids in the Outdoors pass.
When: Thursday, October 26, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, Empire Ranch
Contact: Robert Walter, Bureau of Land Management Natural Resource Specialist, Recreation, at rwalter@blm.gov or 520-258-7204
Learn more at the National Public Lands Day event page.
Volunteer restoration project in the Ironwood Forest National Monument
The Friends of Ironwood Forest with assistance from the Bureau of Land Management are conducting a volunteer work day to restore the areas affected by resource damage or wildlife travel restrictions. Potential project ideas may include fence removal, fence repairs, picking up litter, restoring user-created routes, and sign installation and repair. Tools would be provided for the projects.
Volunteers are asked to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, hats, work gloves, safety glasses, and snacks.
When: Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 11700 W. Avra Valley Road, Marana, AZ 85653
Contact: Robert Walter, Bureau of Land Management Natural Resource Specialist, Recreation, at rwalter@blm.gov or 520-258-7204
Learn more at the National Public Lands Day event page.
- Phoenix District
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Agua Fria National Monument Volunteer Work Day
Join the Bureau of Land Management, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the Friends of the Agua Fria National Monument for a volunteer work day benefitting the natural and cultural resources of the Agua Fria National Monument.
This volunteer work day will consist of several opportunities to assist with management objectives on the Agua Fria National Monument. The final projects will be posted closer to the event date, and may include, but are not limited to:
- Targeted invasive plant species removal in the Agua Fria river channel
- Range fence modifications to allow greater and easier wildlife movement across the monument
- Trash cleanups along the major access roads
Please wear appropriate clothing, including long pants, long sleeve shirts, appropriate headwear, and plenty of sunscreen.
When: Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Meet at Bloody Basin road entrance to the Agua Fria National Monument
Contact: James Holden, Bureau of Land Management Agua Fria National Monument Manager, at jwholden@blm.gov or 480-433-3059
Learn more at the National Public Lands Day event page.