Nation’s Capital Hosts More than 30 Volunteer Events on National Public Lands Day

U.S. Surgeon General and Chair of White House Council on Environmental Quality Join Hundreds of Volunteers in Rock Creek Park

Washington, DC – Washington-area volunteers will be out in force on Saturday, September 24, taking part in National Public Lands Day (NPLD), the largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands in the United States. The nation’s capital will host NPLD events at more than 30 locations in the District, Maryland and Virginia, more than any other metro area in the country.

As part of this annual celebration of public lands, NPLD is supporting the first lady's Let’s Move Outside initiative as it engages families and youth to get outside and be active through hands-on fun activities.

After participating in any of eight projects throughout Rock Creek Park, volunteers will return to the Rock Creek Park Nature Center Saturday afternoon for a health fair, activities with REI and a program with the U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin and Nancy Sutley, chair of White House Council on Environmental Quality.

Nationwide, more than 170,000 volunteers are expected to visit their favorite parks, beaches, wildlife preserves or forests and chip in to help improve these treasured places.

What: National Public Lands Day Volunteer Event and Health Fair - Rock Creek Park

Who:

• Dr. Regina M. Benjamin, Surgeon General of US Public Health Service
• Nancy Sutley, Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality
• Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works)
• JL Armstrong, National Environmental Education Foundation Board and National Manager, External Affairs, Toyota Motor Sales, USA Inc.
• Tara D. Morrison, Superintendent, Rock Creek Park, National Park Service
• Volunteers of all agres, local doctors, outdoor enthusiasts, more

When: Saturday, September 24, 2011, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m

• 8:30 a.m. – Volunteers meet at eight locations throughout the park
• 8:45 a.m. – Volunteer projects start (8 sites in Rock Creek Park)
• 11:30 a.m. – Health and recreation fair opens to the public
• 12:00 p.m. – Volunteer arrive at Rock Creek Park Nature Center
• 12:30 p.m. – Speakers will make remarks
• 1:00 p.m. – Rock Creek Park volunteer recognition
• 1:10 p.m. – Recreation and health fair continues. Activities include:
  

REI Outdoor School presentations on camping skills, hiking skills, rock climbing education, orienteering, etc.

Healthy Parks = Healthy People display, education activities

Children and nature activities

Rock Creek Park Community Gardeners

Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center children’s bird hunt and hike

Kayak Display by Rock Creek Park

Nature Hikes led by Rock Creek Park

• 2:00 p.m. – Rock Creek Park nature hike

• 4:00 p.m. – Health and recreation fair closes

Where:  Rock Creek Park Nature Center

5200 Glover Road, NW Washington, DC

All other DC-area NPLD events can be found online: www.publiclandsday.org

Contact:   Amber Taylor, 703-201-4893

This year marks the 18^th annual National Public Lands Day, an event that brings together thousands of volunteers from coast to coast to improve and restore the lands and facilities that Americans use for recreation, education, exercise and relaxation. NPLD has provided more than $15 million in contributed services by volunteers annually to public lands.

Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. is the event’s national corporate sponsor for the 13^th consecutive year. Northrop Grumman has joined as a contributing sponsor again for the 3^rd year. The National Environmental Education Foundation (www.neefusa.org) coordinates National Public Lands Day.

Eight federal agencies will participate along with more than 250 state, county, and city partners and a host of nonprofit groups, including the Boy Scouts of America, The Girl Scouts of the USA, Student Conservation Association and The Corps Network.

More information can be found at www.publiclandsday.org.

DC Media Advisory