Grand Canyon to Celebrate National Public Lands Day with Fee Free Entry September 28

Date: September 4, 2013
Contact: Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, 928-638-7958

Grand Canyon, AZ – Grand Canyon National Park will be joining national park units across the country in celebrating National Public Lands Day (NPLD) with fee free entry into the park on Saturday, September 28, 2013.

National Public Lands Day is intended to encourage shared stewardship of our nation's public lands through volunteer service. This year NPLD celebrates its 20^th anniversary and it has become the nation's largest single-day, hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance federal, state and local public lands. In Grand Canyon, volunteers and park staff will be working with the park's Vegetation Program on planting a large section of the newly renovated Bright Angel Trailhead. Individuals who are interested in volunteering for this event can apply at www.volunter.gov or call Catie McCarthy at 928-638-7482. All volunteers must sign up in advance of NPLD to participate.

Grand Canyon National Park's Green Team will be sponsoring its inaugural Environmental Film Night in celebration of NPLD. A free screening of two award-winning environmental films will be shown at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center Theater on the 28^th at 7:30 p.m. The double feature includes Chasing Water and Chasing Ice. The 2013 Environmental Film Night is a collaborative effort between the park and Grand Canyon Association, the park's official partner.  For additional information about the screenings contact Marty Martell at 928-638-7834,

Park visitors are reminded that fee-free designation applies to entrance fees only and does not affect fees for camping, reservations, tours, or use of concessions. Park entrance stations will have the Interagency Senior and Annual Passes available for those who wish to purchase them. Visitors who plan to spend time in the park beyond the 28^th will need to pay the regular entrance fee for the remainder of their stay.

 The final fee free event for 2013 is Veteran's Day weekend (November 9-11).

 For more information on what there is to see and do in Grand Canyon National Park. Please visit the park's website www.nps.gov/grca. To learn more about National Public Lands Day, please visit the NPLD website www.publiclandsday.org.

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