Archived News Release: September 8, 2017 - On Saturday, Sept. 30, dozens of Ann Arbor-area volunteers at Argo Nature Area will join hundreds of thousands of fellow Americans at public land sites across the country in celebration of the 24th annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD). The nation's largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands, the purpose of this event is to give back to the areas where we play, learn, exercise and relax.
From 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, participants at Argo Nature Area (1055 Longshore Drive) will enjoy a day by the river while learning how to identify and cut invasive species such as buckthorn and honeysuckle. Doing so will allow native species to thrive and provide natural habitat for wildlife. Volunteers should wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, and will meet in the parking lot north of Argo Canoe Livery, off of Longshore Drive. Every participant must present a completed release form, and all minors should be accompanied by a guardian. Tools, snacks and know-how provided.
NPLD, coordinated each year by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) with support from national sponsor Toyota Motor Sales, USA Inc., brings together volunteers from across the country to improve and restore the lands and facilities that Americans use and enjoy every day. Last year, more than 200,000 Americans participated in NPLD events at more than 2,500 sites in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington D.C.
Through NPLD, NEEF works to connect people to public lands in their community, inspire environmental stewardship, and encourage use of public lands for education, recreation and general health. Toyota Motor Sales, USA Inc. is the event's national sponsor. More information on NPLD can be found on the NEEF website at www.NEEFusa.org/NPLD. The public is encouraged to follow and participate in the environmental stewardship conversation on social media using the hashtag #NPLD.
City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation (NAP) works to protect and restore Ann Arbor's natural areas and to foster an environmental ethic among its citizens. This involves conducting plant and animal inventories, ecological monitoring, and stewardship projects in Ann Arbor parks. Both staff and volunteers perform these tasks. For more information about NAP, visit www.a2gov.org/NAP.
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