LOS ANGELES -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District, in partnership with the Friends of the Los Angeles River, will host a National Public Lands Day clean-up event Sept. 28 at the Sepulveda Basin.
The theme for National Public Lands Day 2024 is “Together for Tomorrow.” The event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon at the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve.
The event is open to the public, and volunteers may register at https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a09SJ000000msnjYAA/national-public-lands-day-event or https://folar.org/folar-event/habitat-restoration-sept2024/. Volunteers under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteers will be directed to parking areas once on location.
During the event, in further collaboration with the California Native Plant Society and the San Fernando Valley Audubon Society, volunteers will remove non-native vegetation, create and plant seed balls to encourage re-growth of native vegetation, pick up litter and participate in a nature/bird walk.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle and binoculars. It also is recommended that volunteers wear sunscreen, a hat, lightweight long pants and a lightweight long-sleeved shirt.
“USACE and FoLAR have many similar goals when it comes to our natural resources — we are so very fortunate to be working alongside them,” said Nicolas Figueroa, USACE LA District park ranger. “National Public Lands Day is important because it gives residents the opportunity to learn about our natural habitats. Whether it’s a remote location or in an urban setting, we want the public to develop a sense of ownership when they visit their public lands, and we accomplish that goal by hosting this event every year.”
ABOUT NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY
National Public Lands Day, which occurs annually on the fourth Saturday in September, was established in 1994. It is organized annually by the National Environmental Education Foundation. According to the foundation, “National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands … (it) fosters a strong connection between people and the environment, educating and cultivating environmental stewards.”