Annually, the fourth Saturday in September is recognized as National Public Lands Day (NPLD)!
Founded in 1994, NPLD is the largest single-day volunteer event for public lands, drawing thousands of participants each year. Public lands include national parks, monuments, wildlife refuges, forests, grasslands, marine sanctuaries, lakes and reservoirs; as well as state, county and city parks that are managed by federal, state and local governments. These public lands allow communities to come together and reconnect with nature, while also supporting our health, environment and overall well-being.
One of the ways the District carries out its mission of balancing water needs while also protecting the environment is through acquiring conservation lands around lakes, rivers, wetlands and estuaries. Additionally, conservation lands preserve and restore native Florida ecosystems that provide water storage and benefits during hurricanes and other major weather events.
You can participate in National Public Lands Day by engaging with the District’s nearly 460,000 acres of conservation land, much of which is available for public use and recreation. There are a range of activities offered including hiking, bicycling, camping, kayaking, fishing, bird watching and more. On many of these public lands you can also find picnic pavilions, nature trails and primitive camping areas. A few even have environmental education centers. No matter how you’d like to celebrate, there is truly something everyone can enjoy.
When engaging with District public conservation lands, it is important to follow guidelines to ensure the protection and maintenance of Florida’s unique plant and wildlife communities. Access these guidelines by referring to the District's Guide to Recreation.
For additional information and free downloadable resources, visit WaterMatters.org/Recreation.
To learn more about National Public Lands Day, visit neefusa.org/npld.