Volunteers sought for National Public Lands Day 2007

Organization:

BLM

BLM Office:

Oregon/Washington State Office

Media Contact:

Maya Fuller

Oregon/Washington Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is looking for volunteers to participate in the 14th annual National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 29, 2007. In what has become the largest volunteer hands-on effort of its kind in the country, participants will come together to lend a hand to the very lands they use to hike, bike, climb, fish, swim, explore, picnic, or just plain relax. Individuals, families, and community groups of all ages are encouraged to come together to give something back to their public lands. T-shirts, lunches, and environmental education activities will be provided for the volunteers at each of the project sites. All tools, safety equipment, and materials needed for the projects will be furnished by the BLM. Day-use fees will be waived on Saturday, September 29 to encourage visitation to our nation's public lands, national forests, and grasslands as well as lands managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and the Army Corps of Engineers. Fees for overnight camping, cabin rentals, heritage expeditions, recreation permits, and reservations will not be waived. In addition, all volunteers who pitch in on National Public Lands Day will be rewarded with a coupon good for a "fee-free" entry day during the next year at any public land site managed by the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Forest Service.“We are calling on volunteers to help restore, beautify, and improve the habitats and recreation areas that we all benefit from and enjoy," said Ed Shepard, BLM State Director. “The BLM is committed to promoting awareness about citizen stewardship and increasing volunteer opportunities for the public."National Public Lands Day is a unique public-private partnership involving many federal, state, and local land management agencies. These agencies work closely with business partners such as Toyota, and numerous non-profit organizations such as SOLV, OHV Trail Riders Association, local Watershed Councils, Oregon Natural Desert Association, and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation -- to name a few. Volunteers range from Girl Scouts and senior citizens to corporate executives and Members of Congress -- they all have one thing in common: enjoyment and appreciation for our public lands. For more information, volunteers are encouraged to visit publiclandsday.org or for BLM specific events blm.gov/or.Remember.... "It's your land, lend a hand."


The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.