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Americans will celebrate National Public Lands Day (NPLD) for the 20th consecutive year on September 28, 2013. Local residents may participate by volunteering with the Bureau of Land Management staff at the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area, (SRMA) Lorton, Va. Anyone who would like to volunteer at this year’s event should meet Saturday, September 28 at 9:00 a.m. at the Mustang Trailhead, 10702 Harley Road, Lorton, Va. This national celebration of stewardship began in 1994 with three sites and seven hundred volunteers. In the ensuing 20 years NPLD has grown to include more than 2,000 sites and 175,000 volunteers.

This day that is set aside for volunteer service on public lands also supports the Let’s Move Outside initiative. Research shows that one step to preventing childhood obesity, diabetes and depression is getting kids and families to spend more time outside. Everyone benefits from fresh air, sunshine, activity and nature’s welcoming environment. So reduce your stress level and improve your overall level of fitness by joining the Meadowood SRMA staff and other volunteers from 9:00 am until noon, or whatever period of time you have to give for painting boundary fences.

The boundary fence painting project began on NPLD just last year, when 2,337” of three-board perimeter fence was painted, completing an entire section. Even children ages 8-11 years old were rolling paint as fast as they could. Please wear your old clothes, sunscreen, hats and insect repellent and join other volunteers to get the job done in 2013. Paint and brushes will be provided. Among the many rewards you’ll receive for your efforts will be a complimentary lunch, water and snacks; an NPLD t-shirt that you can proudly wear to celebrate your land stewardship; and of course the best reward: going home with that “good kind of tired” feeling.

Partnership is the name of the game for NPLD events, with volunteers working on many different public land improvement projects across the nation. The National Environmental Education Foundation serves as coordinator for NPLD in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, Department of Defense, Environmental Protection Agency, National Park Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the USDA Forest Service. Local and state land managers also support NPLD, as well as private corporations, civic, and conservation organizations. NPLD has enjoyed national sponsorship by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. for 15 years. Northrop Grumman and Recreation Equipment Inc. (REI) are contributing sponsors.

Last year, volunteers worked in 50 states, the District of Columbia and many U.S. territories, contributing over $18 million in public land improvements. How about getting your friends and business colleagues to join you on NPLD at the Meadowood SRMA? For more information, please call Diane Hendry, phone: 703-339-8561, or e-mail to dhendry@blm.gov. See you at Meadowood!