Date: August 8, 2009
Contact: Merrith Baughman, 402-223-3514
On Saturday September 26, 2009, Homestead National Monument of America will be conducting a deer survey for Public Lands Day. Last year, National Public Lands Day was a huge success. More than 120,000 participants planted more than 1.6 million trees at over 1,800 events in all 50 states. In 2009, we hope to have the participation of even more volunteers throughout the country, and make the 16th annual National Public Lands Day the most successful yet.
Please come and help us count deer, no experience is needed; just show up at the Education center for a 9:30 orientation. Wear long pants and good walking shoes. The walkers will have to walk approximately 3/4 of a mile through the prairie. For those who can't or don't want to walk that far we will also need people to watch the road to the west of the monument and count the deer as they exit. The survey will be completed by 12 noon. Motorists on State Highway 4 need to be alert for deer crossing the highway as they drive through the monument on the morning of September 26th.
During last year’s survey, 25 deer were counted on National Park Service land with 30 volunteers participating in the survey. "Volunteers are an integral part of Homestead National Monument of America. With their help, the monument has been able to achieve great things. Having a better understanding of the deer population is just one of the many things the volunteers have contributed to help the monument" said Superintendent Mark Engler.
In addition to the deer survey on September 26, Homestead invites the public to help collect native plant seeds in the tallgrass prairie. The seeds collected will be used for the restoration of monument land. Seed collection dates are September 26 at 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Saturday October 3, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Please help us make America's Best Idea even better. Join us for a national day of service and celebration in your 391 national parks. For more information about Public Lands Day, visit http://www.publiclandsday.org/.
Homestead National Monument of America is located 4 miles west of Beatrice on Nebraska Highway 4. Summer hours of operation are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. For more information call 402-223-3514 or visit www.nps.gov/home.
