NEEF - National Public Lands Day - NPLD

09/30/2026

Thank you for celebrating National Public Lands Day! 🌱

This year, we came together around our theme, Caring for Our Shared America, and you showed up in a big way! With 750+ events and more than 57,000 participants, you proved what it means to look after the places we all share.

Many of you rolled up your sleeves to clear trails, plant trees, remove invasive species, and collect litter. Others celebrated in different ways: hiking scenic routes, casting a line to fish, stargazing under open skies, and simply enjoying time outdoors with family and friends. Every bit of it reflects a love for our public lands.

Our parks, forests, trails, shorelines, and open spaces are stronger because of you. Thank you for showing up, pitching in, and caring for our shared America. 💚

09/27/2026

Yesterday, the 2026 National Public Lands Day Signature Event took place along the Lower Salt River near Mesa, Arizona, as part of Natural Restorations’ 11th annual Lower Salt River Cleanup.

Nearly 300 people came out to care for our shared America. Natural Restorations Executive Director and Co-Founder Nicole Corey welcomed the crowd before passing the megaphone to NEEF President and CEO Sara Espinoza, who thanked volunteers for giving their time to the day.

Sara and NEEF Conservation Director Kelley V. Phillips (in dark blue) joined volunteers for the cleanup. As a thank-you for their service, participants received NPLD fee-free coupons to use on another visit to participating federal public lands.

This year’s event was hosted by Natural Restorations in partnership with the US Forest Service Tonto National Forest and supported in part by NEEF and the American Medical Association.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2026 Signature Event a success!

09/26/2026

Happy NPLD!

To every volunteer, event host, partner, and community member participating today: thank you for making National Public Lands Day possible.

Your time, energy, and care add up to something much bigger across the country.

We’d love to see how you celebrated. Share your photos in the comments or tag us in your post!

Thank you for caring for our shared America.

09/25/2026

Please remember!

09/24/2026

This National Public Lands Day, get outside and help care for our shared America. Then make the most of the day by putting down your screen and being fully present for it.

We’re partnering with for on September 26. Unplug, head outside, and spend the day connecting with the people and places around you.

Take the pledge with , find an NPLD event near you, and turn your pledge into action.

Join The Reset on September 26, 2026 and be part of a national movement helping young people trade screen time for real-world connection, time outdoors, and better mental well-being.

09/24/2026

🕐 In the Zone: NPLD Coast to Coast (and beyond!)

We’ve followed National Public Lands Day across the country, one time zone at a time, highlighting just a few of the many events happening along the way. But let’s not forget our friends and volunteers on the islands!

Next up: Beyond the continental US

Experience rich cultural, historical, and environmental wonders with community celebrations, citizen science, and stewardship.

Swipe to see a few of the events happening beyond the continental US. 👉

🌊San Juan National Historic Site (9/27) — Clean up trash throughout the bastions on the Old San Juan Islet and then stay for an educational program about Castillo San Felipe del Morro.

🌅 Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, HI (9/26) — Contribute to community science, propagate native plants, and join a sunset birdwatch.

🎉 Bosque Nacional El Yunque, Puerto Rico (9/26) — Attend a celebratory community event with cultural activities, an artisan market, guided walks, and more, recognizing 150 Years of history, conservation, and connection to El Yunque.

🪏 Nioula Heiau, HI (9/26) — Care for areas supporting the endangered ʻihiʻihi and mēhamehame plants with weeding and planting native plants, or you can help stabilize the walls of an ancient Hawaiian temple. Native Hawaiian practitioners will be there to talk about the cultural significance of the site.

🌱 Ho`omaluhia Botanical Garden, HI (9/26) — Protect native plant collections by clearing invasive trees before they seed.

🌿 American Memorial Park, Northern Mariana Islands (9/26) — Join friends and family to plant trees at an event rich in community partnerships.

🥾Starrigavan Recreation Area, Tongass National Forest, AK (9/26) — Gear up to clean and refresh popular scenic viewpoints and picnic areas.

Ready to get in the zone? Find a project that fits you on NEEF’s official National Public Lands Day Map. 📍https://hubs.ly/Q04y8Z3N0.

09/23/2026

On National Public Lands Day, veterans are invited to discover what fresh air, teamwork, and purpose can do for the mind and body after leaving the service.

There’s no better example than Arizona Trail Association Vets x The Outdoor Muster’s Veteran Volunteer Work Weekend. This season-opening operation supports trail maintenance, drainage improvements, brushing, and tread work across the North Rim, landscape still recovering from the 2025 Dragon Bravo Fire.

It continues Arizona Trail Association’s Veteran Engagement and Trail Stewardship program, designed to create meaningful opportunities for military veterans on and off the trail.

Find the event here: https://hubs.ly/Q04y5bds0

09/22/2026

🕐 In the Zone: NPLD Coast to Coast

We’re following National Public Lands Day across the country, one time zone at a time, highlighting just a few of the many events happening along the way.

Next up: Mountain Time

From moonlight hikes to stewardship along popular lakes, NPLD is about celebration of and service to public lands.

Swipe to see a few of the events happening in the Mountain time zone. 👉

🎉 La Plata Canyon, San Juan National Forest, CO (9/26) — Join a friendly competition for the amount of trash (and most interesting litter) picked up around campsites.

🌊 Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, AZ (9/26) — Gear up for the Shoreline Sweep where you can pick up litter now made visible by Lake Powell’s drop in elevation.

🌙 Red Rock State Park, AZ (9/26) — See the sunset and moonrise with over Sedona’s red rocks with a naturalist-led Moonlight Hike.

🛶 Cochiti Lake, NM (9/26) — Remove invasive aquatic vegetation and pick up debris, all from the comfort of your kayak.

🥾 Lake Mead National Recreation Area, NV (9/25) — Clean up popular sites along Lake Mead, providing some TLC to a well-used summer area.

🪏 Hermosa Field Station, Gila National Forest (NM) (9/25-27) — Bring the ghost town of Hermosa alive for a day of trailhead sign installation. This 3-day event starts with a welcome dinner, camping, and a volunteer project.

Ready to get in the zone? Find a project that fits you on NEEF’s official National Public Lands Day Map. 📍https://hubs.ly/Q04y1Y_80.

09/17/2026

🕐 In the Zone: NPLD Coast to Coast

We’re following National Public Lands Day across the country, one time zone at a time, highlighting just a few of the many events happening along the way.

Today, we're jumping to Pacific Time

From moonlight hikes to stewardship along popular lakes, NPLD is about celebration of and service to public lands.

Swipe to see a few of the events happening in the Pacific time zone. 👉

🪶 Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, WA (9/26) — Enjoy the annual Nisqually Watershed Festival with games, activities, crafts, singers and more! The theme this year is birds.

🎉 Stanislaus River Parks, CA (9/26) — Bring your family to beautify this popular local park. There are prizes involved!

🥾Deschutes National Forest, OR (9/26) — Join the Fall Trash Bash and help your community add to the tons of trash collected at the Spring Trash Bash.

🌱 Deep Creek, San Bernardino National Forest, CA (9/26) — Perform a variety of restoration events like planting, seed broadcasting, and soil stabilization.

🌊Newport Beach, CA (9/19) — Clean the beach to improve the habitat of endangered shorebirds.

🪏 Mountains to Sounds Greenway National Heritage Area (WA) (9/26) — Attend this event to do some critical trail maintenance.

Ready to get in the zone? Find a project that fits you on NEEF’s official National Public Lands Day Map. 📍https://hubs.ly/Q04xDrG00.