LOS ANGELES -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District will host a National Public Lands Day clean-up event Sept. 27 at the Whittier Narrows Dam Basin and Whittier Narrows Nature Center.
The theme for National Public Lands Day 2025 is “Our Home Outdoors.” The event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon at the Whittier Narrows Dam Basin and Whittier Narrows Nature Center.
The event is open to the public, and volunteers may register at https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volunteer-opportunity/a09SJ00000EHPgHYAX/fy25-spl-national-public-lands-day. 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 County of Los Angeles – Parks & Recreation, volunteers will remove litter/debris from the San Gabriel River channel area upstream of the Whittier Narrows – San Gabriel Dam. Our secondary goal will be to support the Corps’ Whittier Narrows Dam Safety Modification Project (DSMP) environmental commitments.
Volunteers will be removing non-native plants from within the habitat restoration area (about 50 acres) to help native plants regrow. In addition to weeding, volunteers may be asked to help with sweeping, picking up litter, bagging leaves, raking, or trail maintenance. If the weeding group finishes early, they will be re-routed to assist with the litter/debris removal portion of the event.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle. It also is recommended that volunteers wear sunscreen, a hat, lightweight long pants and a lightweight long-sleeved shirt.
“USACE and County of Los Angeles – Parks & Recreation 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.”
The first 200 volunteers who participate in the NPLD in-person activities will be issued a fee-free coupon. The fee-free coupon is valid for one year from the date of issuance and may be used for one day of entrance or day use fees at any participating federal agency’s park, forest or recreation area that charges either of these types of fees.
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.”