“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe

For more than 100 years, USDA Forest Service volunteers have embodied the attitude and spirit behind these words in the name of conservation stewardship. Through campground hosting, trail maintenance, visitor services, research and more, the agency has embraced volunteers of all ages to contribute to the legacy of restoration for future generations. However, one day is set aside every year on the fourth Saturday in September to formally celebrate the spirit of volunteerism in the great outdoors – enter National Public Lands Day!

From the beginning

The first recognized commemoration took place July 30, 1994, and was originally known as “Public Lands Appreciation Day.” That first day-long event, requesting volunteers to roll up their sleeves, was organized by the Times Mirror Magazine Company and advertised in their affiliate, Field & Stream magazine. They partnered with the Bureau of Land Management and two additional public land sites to recruit nearly 700 volunteers for this inaugural event.

Years later, the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) stepped in, assumed responsibility for, and trademarked National Public Lands Day. Their efforts recruited several public land management agencies at the local, state and federal levels to participate by hosting local cleanup events. National Public Lands Day has since been recognized and given presidential proclamations in 2001 and 2022, as well as become a “Fee-Free Day” where recreation fees, at most day-use sites, are waived at many land management agencies, including the Forest Service.

For 32 years, National Public Lands Day has transformed into the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer event dedicated to our public lands. Last year, more than 700 volunteer events were hosted in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. An estimated 50,000 people participated in those events in the spirit of volunteerism and in support of beautifying and protecting our precious public lands.

More information about NEEF’s history with National Public Lands Day can be found here: https://www.neefusa.org/what-we-do/conservation/national-public-lands-day.

2025 Forest Service events

To date, the Forest Service is hosting nearly 50 National Public Lands Day volunteer events across our national forests and grasslands in 20 states and Puerto Rico. These events range from river clean-ups to bridge replacements to trail upkeep and everything deferred maintenance-related. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the events planned for September 27, 2025:

• Green Thumbs Habitat Restoration Project (San Bernardino National Forest, California). Volunteers will be collecting and broadcasting native seeds, as well as planting native plants that were originally grown in a native plant nursery. This effort will help to stabilize erosive soils and improve damaged pollinator habitat in a high-use recreation area.

• Gambler 500 Rally (Olympic National Forest, Washington) – The Gambler 500 Rally is an overland adventure challenge with a focus on off-road and deep woods garbage cleanup.

• Banner Road Trail Build (Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri) – Volunteers will help with the new trail construction activities on the Banner Road Trail project. Activities include brush clearing, hand tool use and trail building activities.

• CP Anderson Interpretative Signage Project (Gila National Forest, New Mexico) – Volunteers will assist in the replacement of faded educational signage with new panels at a scenic viewpoint overlooking the Gila Wilderness. The signage will help visitors learn about the history of the Gila Wilderness and its importance to New Mexico’s landscape and history.

• Preserving Sam Rayburn Waters (Angelina National Forest, Texas) – Volunteers will help clean up popular recreation spots at Sandy Creek Boat Ramp and the Overlook Park at Lake Sam Rayburn, reduce vegetation to lower wildfire risks, and tackle water pollution to protect this important East Texas watershed.

For more information on these events or to find a National Public Lands Day event near you, please visit: https://www.neefusa.org/npld-event-search.

With deep gratitude

It goes without saying that volunteers represent the best of the Forest Service’s motto, “Caring for the Land and Serving People.” They serve in nearly every discipline, unit and career field within the Forest Service and represent all ages and backgrounds. In fact, over the past year, an estimated 83,000 volunteers contributed nearly 2.4 million hours of service, appraised at over $80 million!

Going back to Arthur Ashe’s quote, it’s important to remember that even small acts of volunteerism with your own two hands is a great start to give back to your community. There’s something for everyone, so give back today!

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