Stanislaus National Forest Celebrates National Public Lands Day
Sonora, Calif. (Sept. 11, 2012) On Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, volunteers across the United States will help restore the beauty and vitality of our public lands as part of the 19th annual National Public Lands Day.
More than 170,000 volunteers are expected at over 2,000 sites in communities and parks
and forests around the nation.
and forests around the nation.
"We appreciate the work of so many volunteers who help us care for our special lands," said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell.
"National Public Lands Day is a great opportunity for families to visit our national forests, experience the beauty of fall foliage, and perhaps be motivated to join in with other volunteers and help us restore America's precious natural resources."
This year, the Stanislaus National Forest (NF) will celebrate National Public Lands Day in Pinecrest, Calif., where volunteers are needed to help the Forest Service and the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk restore the Shadow of the Mi-Wok Trail.
"Local communities have always supported the Stanislaus NF efforts to improve our environments and enhance recreational experiences for Forest visitors," said Forest Supervisor Susan Skalski.
"I encourage volunteers to breathe the fresh outdoor air and join the effort to improve the Shadow of the Mi-Wok Trail for all to enjoy."
The Forest Service will give out tickets for free entry into National Parks and National Forest campgrounds to the first 100 volunteers. The tickets are good for one year.
The Shadow of the Mi-Wok Trail is dedicated to Brown Tadd, an esteemed member of the Tuolumne Me-Wuk who helped to build replicas of cedar bark houses—umuchas and acorn granaries—chakas in the ancient summering place of the Me-Wuk people.
Brown Tadd also educated visitors about the many interesting aspects of the Me-Wuk's historic way of life.
Events will begin with an opening commemoration ceremony featuring songs and dancing of the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk at 9:30 a.m., and then volunteers will help to install new signs, rake the trail, and line it with rocks to make it more visible.
To participate, please call Marie Malo at (209) 965-3434 ext. 5343 or email mgmalo@fs.fed.us
To celebrate National Public Lands Day the Forest Service is waiving standard amenity fees on Sept. 29 at hundreds of recreation sites nationwide.
Check with your local Ranger District Office for a list of fee free facilities. Stanislaus NF Ranger District listings are located at www.fs.usda.gov/stanislaus.
The focus of National Public Lands Day is to instill a sense of shared stewardship and educate the public about the importance of natural resources.
Scheduled national events support President Obama's America's Great Outdoors Initiative and First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move Outside Initiative.
Activities planned on Forest Service locations include trail maintenance, river clean-ups and tree plantings. Participants can go to www.publiclandsday.org to find a list of projects.
Last year's National Public Lands Day efforts resulted in building an estimated 1,500 miles of trails; planting an estimated 100,000 trees, shrubs and other native plants; removing an estimated 500 tons of trash from recreation sites and contributing an estimated $17 million through volunteer services to improve public lands.
The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.
National Forest lands contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone.
Those same lands provide 20 percent of the nation's clean water supply, a value estimated at $27 billion per year.
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