National Public Lands Day Date in the current year: September 28, 2024

Public lands in the United States include parks, forests, and wildlife management areas. Most of them are open for recreational use. Public lands can be managed at the federal, state, regional and local level.

National Public Lands Day was first held in 1994. 700 volunteers worked at three public land sites. The initiative turned out a huge success and became an annual tradition. By 2014, participation grew to about 175,000 volunteers at more than 2,000 sites throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

NPLD focuses on caring for public lands across the country, educating the citizens about the natural resources and environment. It is supported by federal agencies, state, regional and local governments, and non-profit organizations.

NPLD volunteers collect invasive plants, build and maintain trails, plant trees, shrubs and other plants, remove trash from trails and other places. They also donate money through volunteer services to help improve public land sites.