Recreation and Health Events

Many public lands, nonprofits and individuals are inspired by the recreation and health messages of Let's Move Outside (LMO) and National Public Lands Day (NPLD). They use NPLD as a day to celebrate volunteerism, getting fit and having fun outside. The range of recreation activities that will occur on NPLD shows the creativity of NPLD volunteers and their desire to improve their own health and the health of future generations.

If you are looking for suggestions on how to integrate recreation into your NPLD event, view the NPLD - LMO fact sheet. 

Recreation and Health Events from 2011

• Appalachian Trail Conservancy's Family Hike Day - In honor of NPLD and LMO, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy declared September 24, 2011 as a family hiking day. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters in Harper's Ferry, W.V. and many of the affiliated hiking clubs from Maine to Georgia hosted hikes and educational events.
• Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake - The City of Orlando Department of Families, Parks and Recreation hosted a fishing derby for kids and a 5K race in honor of National Public Lands Day. Volunteers removed invasive species, planted natives and helped build a section of the children's nature center.
• Birkie Trail Run & Trek - The 9th annual Birkie Trail Run & Trek occured on September 24 and featured five fun and challenging events, including a Marathon, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon, Trek - Nordic Walk, and 5K Fun Run. All events took place on the famous “Birkie” Trail, home of the American Birkebeiner, the largest ski race in North America and the fourth largest ski race in the world. Volunteers helped with organizing the race, distributing supplies and assisting the runners.
• Caesar Creek Lake - The last NPLD featured the 3rd annual Caesar Creek BioBlitz! For 24-hours, starting on September 23, 2011, amateur naturalists of all skill levels identified as many species as possible. Caesar Creek Lake in Waynesville, Ohio is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
• The Great Pack Out 2011 - Brothers Rob and Mike spent 2 weeks paddling over 120 miles throughout the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota to collect and document all the trash they found along the way.  
• Sam Houston National Forest, Double Lake - Visitors to this USDA Forest Service site participated in water quality testing, hiking, a guided bike ride, tree identification and educational programs on camping and motorcycle and ATV safety.