NPS/VAFO

Volunteers at Public Lands Day

National Public Lands Day 2009

Over 300 volunteers came out to support Valley Forge National Historical Park in what is called America’s largest one-day outdoor volunteer service, National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 26, 2009.

Volunteers of all ages rolled up their sleeves to assist with projects that included tree planting, weeding, fence building and repair, invasive plant and crayfish removal, painting the exterior of park structures, trail renovation and much more… 

Community members continue to turnout for this special event - now celebrated for its 6th year at Valley Forge National Historical Park- can be attributed in part to the growing emphasis on service and a growing recognition of the importance of public lands for recreation, travel, rejuvenation and health.

President Barack Obama issued a proclamation, calling National Public Lands Day a time to "affirm our resolve to conserve...cherished spaces for our enjoyment and for that of future generations."

Of course another big reason National Public Lands Day continues to be a big success and has grown so much is the numerous volunteers and partners that work hard to make each event as successful as the last.

On National Public Lands Day volunteers helped with the following projects:

Painting Britton’s house
Paint Wayne Woods Restroom
Trail construction
Tree planting at Washington’s Headquarters
Reroof select soldier huts
Repair worm fencing around Wayne’s Woods area 
Knox’s barn repair split rail fencing
Clear out huts park-wide
Pull weeds from stone circle around arch
Pull weeds out of the Inner Line stone guttering
White was stone walls at Maxwell’s Quarter
Crayfish Removal from Valley Creek
Invasive Plant Control
Litter Clean-up on Catfish Island

Special thanks to all our sponsors and volunteers!

REI – who has teamed up with the park for the fourth year in a row.  
Unilever – National Park America Tour
Whole foods and Starbucks for the breakfast
Friends of Valley Forge Park
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - PA State Parks Region 4
National Parks Conservation Association
DOI - Federal Credit Union
Montgomery County Conservation District
Philadelphia Water Department
The Academy of Natural Science
Audubon Society – Valley Forge (leading a hike)
King of Prussia Rotary Club
Boy Scouts of America
Girl Scouts of America Troop
Valley Forge Signal Seekers
Villanova University
Southeastern PA Payroll Association
Christopher Dock Mennonite High School
Phi Sigma Pi. University of Delaware
GVF Transportation
Verizon Telecom Pioneers
Alumni Programs -Johns Hopkins University
DELVACCA - Johnson Matthey Inc.
Appalachian Mountain Club
Art of Living Foundation
St. Matthew's United Methodist Church
Saint Gabriel Hall School for Boys