National Public Lands Day

National forests cover 193 million acres - equivalent to the size of Texas.

National Public Lands Day 2010 celebrates service and recreation on public lands while educating volunteers about the effects of climate change on our parks. NPLD engages a diverse audience of adult and youth volunteers to get to outdoors and improve their lands, whether at the grandest national park or at an urban park in their neighborhood.

NPLD inspires a new generation of volunteers committed to service on public lands. The event also encourages volunteers to explore and enjoy America's natural wonders through outdoor recreation. After working hard, volunteers can take a hike, a swim, a bicycle ride and get healthy in America's backyard.

Last September, volunteers....

Removed an estimated 900,000 lbs of trash
Collected an estimated 20,000 lbs of invasive plants
Built and maintained an estimated 1,320 miles of trails
Planted an estimated 100,000 trees, shrubs and other native plants
Contributed an estimated $14 million to improve public lands across the country

National Environmental Education Foundation Contributes to One School’s Gulf Recovery Efforts

When staff members at the National Environmental Education Foundation learned about the efforts of a school in Louisiana located near the areas most affected by the Gulf oil spill to help those leading the cleanup, they wanted to find a way to help.

Morgan County High School in Houma, La. borders many of the bayous and estuaries most affected by the spill. Already home to innovative environmental education efforts, Principal Mickey P. Fabre III offered school space and resources to hazmat trainers to help clean the massive spill, including on the land and water close to homes of the students, staff and their families.

But that incurs some extra expenses to keep the school doors open longer and the school’s resources available to the trainers. NEEF offered financial support to the school, a contribution that will assist the school in keeping its facilities and equipment available to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, contractors and local fishermen being trained in hazardous material cleanup.

“As a community, we wanted to do our part to help the environment by working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service during their training efforts,” Fabre wrote. “Little did we know that our partnership would lead to this tremendous blessing.”

“We’re honored to be able to assist the efforts at Morgan County High School,” said Diane Wood, NEEF president. “Principal Fabre and his staff are already undertaking some wonderful environmental education efforts. Opening their doors for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for these essential trainings exemplifies the generous spirit of this school, its staff and its students.”

In addition to the training, Fabre said the school will use the oil spill and recovery efforts as a teachable moment integrating lessons about the event and its impact in lesson plans through the next school year.